U8 Calcio Select - Opponent
Calcio won their sixth match in a row with a 12-5 victory against Yorkshire Ammers Reds.
The first third was actually quite even, and if it weren't for some solid goalkeeping from Robin, the score may have been different. However, Calcio's better finishing (despite missing the first two of several tap-ins in this third), put the side 3-0 up at the break, with the middle part of the third particularly strong. Martin opened the scoring following great pressure from Will, being able to tap in after a good lay off. Will's pressing creating opportunities was a pattern that continued throughout the match, and he was able to double the lead by smashing into the bottom corner after pinching the ball from an Ammers' kick in. The final goal was similar again, as Will pressed the receiver from the goal kick, and slotted it into the back of the net, leaving Calcio 3-0 up.
Calcio started the second third very well, and scored two quick goals. The first came from a great switch by Robin from a kick in, allowing Martin to take on his player 1v1 on the wing. The chance for Calcio to score forced the Ammers goalkeeper out of his net, and he handled, giving us a free kick, that Martin duly dispatched. The second goal of the third came from the second phase of a corner, though was arguably the strike of the match. Winning the ball with his back to goal, Will protected the ball before finding the opportunity to swivel, take a touch into the centre, and smash the ball right into the top corner. Two tap ins at the back post came and went, and at 5-0 up, the team switched off a little bit, and Ammers managed to score two quick fire goals due to a mixture of sloppy passing out from the back and a lack of marking. An own goal restored a four goal lead, as good play from a kick in eventually found its way to Robin whose strike across the box was deflected in for the first of two own goals on the day, before Calcio conceded a third: the most frustrating of the game. A lack of marking in the middle of the pitch meant Ammers were able to stroll into the most dangerous area unperturbed, before leaving Ted no chance to make a save. However, the side ended the third more strongly, and Robin was able to make it 7-3 at its end, after winning the ball from a kick in and smashing into the corner.
The third third was probably the most pleasing, albeit punctuated by another sloppy patch. Will opened the scoring: having received a long pass, he played a lovely one-two with Robin and was able to tap in quite comfortably. The next goal came from a corner; Ted quickly regained the ball from a Robin long shot, and quickly fed Grayson who calmly delivered into the corner. The best goal of the game came shortly afterwards, with Will regaining the ball and creating a 2v1 with Luca. Will drove at the defender, fixed him, and played a lovely pass into Luca's path, whose finish into the corner was perfect. A second own goal came next, as similarly to the third goal, Will drove the ball on the counter attack. This time, he dribbled round the goalkeeper, before hitting across the box, which a recovering Ammers defender steered into his own net. Our final goal came from WIll following a great pass from Max in net: Will rolled the defender and scored nicely. On the other side of things, we conceded three goals in quick succession, but largely controlled the final third, leaving the game 12-6 at full time.
As I said to the boys at the end of the game, I think 80% of the game was probably our best performance of the season, but sloppy patches in each third gave away lots of chances, that a better opposition might have punished. However, there were excellent performances all round. It's easy to point to Will with his five goals and three assists, but actually it was his hard work, pressing, quick feet, and decision-making that stood out for me. As always, Luca's selflessness contributed to some excellent passages of play, and it was pleasing for him to get on the scoresheet. Similarly, Ted's defensive work, intelligence, and game reading provided the backbone for a solid team performance: I was incredibly happy to overhear his teammates discussing this off the pitch. Grayson scored again, and was an attacking threat throughout, while Robin was excellent both in and out of goal, using his speed and strength to his advantage. Max's passing was very good today, not only in setting up Will for the final goal, but also creating several chances that we should have scored from. Finally, a brace from Martin was no more impressive than his overall play, as he continues to fight bravely on and off the ball, winning the vast majority of his duels.
Next week is a 9am kick off against Yorkshire Premier Sports Ltd U8 Blacks. I look forward to seeing you there!
