Boys U10's Thunder - Wellesbourne Wanderers U10 Condors
This was an end-to-end rollercoaster of a game away to Wellesbourne Wanderers. The warm-up was promising, but the first few minutes of the game were not in the same vein! Despite feeling like we were on the front foot at the beginning of the game, we found ourselves 0-2 down within c.10 minutes. Both were scrappy, avoidable goals from errors and due to the whole team just being a bit off the pace at the crucial moments. The opposition, whilst not as physically imposing as Leek Wootton the week before, were strong and combative on the ball and that took our boys a little while to adjust to as well.
However, adjust they did, led by Otto's relentless driving out from midfield and battling away when on defensive duties. After numerous opportunities, our first goal of the game arrived at the 20 minute mark when Jack sent a superb defense-splitting pass through the heart of their midfield to Arthur, who took the ball in his stride, beat his defender with some neat footwork and then found a pin-perfect cross into the middle of the box for Jake, who smashed it in off the crossbar with a first-time strike. Simply superb.
We were on a roll and the equaliser followed soon afterwards, with Jenson (on debut, kindly volunteering from the other Stockton U10 team to help us out due to low numbers) putting in a powerful and accurate throw from the sideline. The ball found it's way through Arthur on the backpost, who took the opportunity to display his poacher's instincts to place the ball beyond the dive of the despairing Wellesbourne keeper. It was a lovely way to finish the half and the boys were bouncing at the break.
We started the second half much as we had finished the first, completely dominant and it felt another goal was simply inevitable... and it duly arrived just 3 minutes into the half with another great finish from Jake. The dominance continued with Arthur tireless on the left wing in attack and defence, and Jake tormenting the opposition's defence, despite being up against one of the best defender's we have seen at this level. Ally, who started the game with a sore stomach but played stoically through the pain for his team, came on for Otto with 12 to go and performed admirably. Edward moved into midfield and showed his lightning pace in putting the opposition attack and midfield under constant pressure.
The extra workload that comes with only having one substitute started to show in the last 10 minutes, we continued playing strong, attacking football but our tracking back and shape started to drop off a bit, allowing Wellesbourne more space and time. They responded by throwing numbers up in attack and an end-to-end phase of the game ensued, with Charlie G making a number of good saves, matched by the opposition keeper doing the same. Eventually through, our tiring defence was breached with 4 minutes to go, making it 3-3. We had chances to win it, but so did they, and despite our dominance for much of the game, coming back from a two goal deficit to deliver such a strong and positive team performance, felt like a fair result for both teams who gave it their all.
Arthur was named Parents MOTM for his tireless efforts, neatly taken goal and a brilliant assist. Otto was named Coaches MOTM for stepping into the Ronnie-shaped breach in midfield, and delivering a performance of great commitment, pin-point accurate passing and showing real leadership when it mattered most. That said, all the boys put their hats in the ring for a MOTM performance today, we are super proud of them.
Onwards and upwards!
