U8 Calcio Select - Opponent
Calcio fought back from a slow start to beat GT Sports 13-6 and make it five wins in a row!
Despite a fantastic training session last night, and an intense warm up, Calcio began the game poorly, conceding two sloppy goals to go 2-0 down within a couple of minutes. However, the side grew into the game and Robin pulled one back from a Luca pass, to make the score 2-1, before Grayson set up Max at the back post to draw level. However, another defensive switch off meant Calcio fell behind once again, only for Will to set up Grayson for his first goal of the game, before turning provider for Max once again with an almost identical goal to leave Calcio 4-3 up at the first break.
Calcio came out much faster in the second third, continuing the momentum that had been gathering at the end of the first. Grayson scored two more having won the ball back himself, before playing a simple pass inside to Robin who smashed the ball from the halfway line perfectly into the top corner to make the scoreline more comfortable at 7-3. Grayson then got a hattrick in the third and fourth of the game from a Will pass, then returned the favour to go 9-3 up. Will then intercepted the ball from a goal kick for 10-3, and it looked like GT Sports were out for the count, but Calcio dropped their energy levels and conceded three quick goals before the break, leaving the game 10-6 with a third to go, and perhaps GT Sports not out of it.
Thankfully, Calcio started the third third like the second rather than the third, and took back the initiative in the game. First, Max played a pass from the centre to Will on the wing, who scored a goal from distance, and Will scored another by intercepting a pass and finding the net for 12-6. Despite the final third being called early, there was still time for Robin to score his third of the game, and the match finished 13-6.
In sum, Calcio produced a largely good performance, though punctuated it with periods of less good play, especially with marking and some sloppier than usual passing. Still, Grayson managed four goals and four assists, Will also got four goals, complemented by two assists, and Max and Robin also got on the scoresheet, with Luca providing an assist, too. At the back, Ted displayed his typical desire to defend and bravery in tracking his opponent and winning the ball, while Martin should great intelligence in picking up free players and passing to teammates in space.
Next week is another 10am kickoff, this time against Yorkshire Ammers Reds.
