2014 Off to a Good Start

Before the games the boys' instructions were simple - they have three more months of 6/7 a side mini soccer to play before they move on to the 9 a side game next season and over the next three months they are to continue to play the positive, enjoyable football they have played all season (regardless of results) to help ensure we are ready to face the new and exciting challenges we will face next season.

The match day squad of 15 was split into two teams as usual:-

Lee's team - Oliver F, Ben P, Josh H, Elliott B, Andrew C, Aqib Z and Josh C;

Stuart's team - Toby C, Igor C, Nelson N, Harry G, Jacob O, George R, Kaelin S and Charlie D.

Lee's team's first game was a tight affair up until half time with neither side troubling the scorers. However in the second half the boys took control of the game, firstly a typical surging run from Josh H saw him cross into the box only for a Chalfont defender to turn the ball into his own net, then two goals from Josh C (including a long range strike from the right hand side of the pitch that he claims wasn't a cross!) and goals from Elliott B and Josh H saw a convincing victory recorded.

The second game was a thoroughly entertaining one as the two teams shared two goals each. Aylesbury took the lead as Josh C impressively side footed home from an Elliot B corner at the near post before Chalfont equalised from the penalty spot. Almost immediately the Ducks were back in the lead as Aqib Z won the ball in midfield and played it to Andrew C who then magnificently played in Josh H who hammered home.

The second half was an end to end affair with both teams creating chances and both goalkeepers performing admirably. The only goal of the half was Chalfont's equaliser which was scored when we failed to deal with a well taken corner.

Special mentions go to Oliver F in goal who so very nearly saved the penalty in the first half of the second game and made some more instinctive saves, Ben P who had his most solid game of the season in defence and Aqib Z who was virtually unbeatable in midfield. The team's main engine room was once again the trio of Josh H, Elliott B and skipper Andrew C. Whilst Andrew was disappointed at not getting on the score sheet in either game his overall contribution to the team and the positive, passing football played by it was as brilliant as ever. Josh C also showed greater maturity in some of his play and took his goal tally for the season into double figures.

Stuart's team's first game saw them defeated by the odd goal in three with our goal coming from Igor C who is proving to be as big an asset to the squad in midfield as he is in defence. Having watched the closing stages of this game during which we really took the game to the opposition the boys can feel really pleased with their performance regardless of the result.

The second game saw the boys pick up the victory their efforts deserved. Our goal scorers in this game were Kaelin S (2), Harry G and Charlie D although concentration did slip slightly in the middle part of the game as Chalfont worked their way back into the game. To the boys' credit a few tactical switches saw them put this right.

From front to back this particular team are turning into an outstanding unit. Toby C is every improving between the sticks, Igor C and Charlie D are both outstanding defenders and midfielders, Nelson N and George R play with such skill and positivity, Jacob O's determination and commitment mean that the opposition will never get an easy game up against him whilst the goal scoring exploits and overall contribution of both Harry G and Kaelin S show so much promise.

Manager Lee said "I wasn't expecting such good performances after almost a month off but the boys proved to me that I was wrong to expect anything other than what we got this morning. From hereon in I will be focusing on preparing the boys for the move up to the nine a side game next season as I think when we combine the two teams next season we are going to have a really strong squad that I would expect to be challenging for honours within their section. I managed to watch two of the teams from the league above who played on the pitches at Fairford Leys before us and I didn't see much that we couldn't compete with which is a tribute to us rather than a criticism of the two teams in question as they both played good football. All in all whilst the Christmas break was welcome I am delighted that the boys have come back from it ready to pick up from where they left off in the first half of the season."

Next Sunday is derby day as we take on Bucks CC, 10.30 kick off at Fairford Leys.