U12 Blacks 25/26 - SoccerHub

This was a high-octane battle against the league’s 2nd-placed side. While the 8-3 final score looks one-sided, it tells a deceptive story. For three full quarters, UFCA went toe-to-toe with SoccerHub entering the final period at a nail-biting 4-3. Ultimately, a depleted squad and a mounting injury list proved to be the only difference between the two sides.

In the game…

The first two quarters saw us produce some the best football of the game. Despite losing Freddie to injury Saturday morning—leaving the bench thin—the boys played with immense belief.

The goals were a testament to our attacking vision:

• 17 mins: Rocco turned provider with a sharp assist, finding Joshua who finished clinically to open our account.
• 23 mins: The Rocco connection struck again, this time assisting Kaiden, who’s cross caught the keeper out and looped over his head and into the top corner.
• 47 mins: After a hard-fought battle in the third quarter, Joshua turned creator, setting up Max Poole for a vital third goal and calm finish that kept us within touching distance at 4-3.

The turning point…

The challenge for the Blacks wasn't tactical, but physical. When Harry—who was having another strong performance, picked up an injury in the second half, we were left zero substitutes.

The energy some of the lads poured into those first 60 minutes was incredible, but by the final quarter, some "tanks" were running dry. With no fresh legs to rotate in, the game naturally stretched. SoccerHub took full advantage of the extra space, pulling away in the final qaurter as the physical toll of a short squad finally caught up with the boys.

Well done to Max Ramsden who received Player of the Match.

Coach’s View

"The scoreline really doesn't reflect the quality of our performance. At 4-3 going into the last quarter, we were right in the mix against one of the best teams in the league. I firmly believe that with a full squad and a few more options on the bench, we stay in that game until the final whistle.

I was so proud of the football we played in the first 3 quarters. We take the positives, learn from the experiences and move forward."