Great Pride in Defeat

This was a fantastic game of football to be involved in.

We went into the game against possibly the strongest team in our division on the back of a four game winning streak so were confident we could do ourselves justice.

What followed was a fantastic game between two teams both boasting in-form goalkeepers, solid defences, creativity across the middle of the field and pace to burn in all the right areas.

In what is something of a rarity at this level we went in 0-0 at half time. The first half was as even as the score line suggested as both teams created chances but both goalkeepers seemed determined to maintain their clean sheets and both produced performances beyond their years.

The second half was more or less the same however Thame scored what was to be the decisive goal when we failed to press sufficiently in the box and their player's reactions were that little bit quicker as he pounced to hammer home.

We continued to push for an equaliser thanks to the never say die attitude that runs through the team and Aylesbury United as a club.

I thought we had almost snatched an equaliser late on when Joshua Harrison broke through and looked to have scored only for a Thame defender to make a last gasp sliding block to force the ball away for a corner - great football from both players.

As I said at the beginning this was a fantastic game of football to be involved in. Both sets of defenders looked comfortable on the ball and were ready, willing and able to bring the ball out of defence comfortably, both midfields were looking to move the ball around and attack with pace whilst despite the goalkeepers being on top plenty of attempts to hit the target were made. Really exceptional stuff from both sides.

Today was one of my proudest moments as manager of this team. We really looked like a proper team trying to do everything properly. We had people contesting and winning headers all over the pitch, defenders talking to each other to ensure the defence was organised, players covering each other's position without being prompted by me (which gave our game so much fluidity) and almost gone from our game was the giving away of needless free kicks that have so often put us under pressure in previous games.

Such was the magnitude of our performance I feel the need to name check each player individually:-

Oliver Foster - a brilliant performance in goal. Easily one of the best shot stoppers in the division.

Aqib Zahir - such a strong defender. No attacker gets past him easily!

Igor Chrzanowski - maturing with each performance and becoming a great organiser of the defence.

Charlie Davis - a great footballer who can run games from the point of the defensive triangle. Full of confidence in his own ability.

Andrew Carr - a quiet but authoritative captain. Brilliant when getting defenders on the back foot and knows where the goal is.

Joshua Harrison - pace to burn which literally frightens the opposition! Will run up and down for the team all day which is all any manager can ask for.

Joshua Cotton - a strong player who can use his physical strength to hold the ball up and hold off the opposition at the same time. Knows when it's the right time to pass the ball which helps so much with our link up play.

Elliott Behan - like Josh H above will run up and down for the team all day. Also very confident in everything he does. A bright future awaits.

Harry Grantham - a strong and skilful player which are two great qualities to have. Works ever so hard for the team.

Kaelin Shaw - goal scorer extraordinaire last season, more of a complete team player this season. Can tackle effectively and pass effectively. Always happy to put the effort in and give the quick boys in midfield a bit of a breather!

Jacob Oliver - a fearless player. Does exactly what I ask of him - win the ball and play it into the midfield for the midfielders to pick up on. So determined to do well he is a must for every squad as he guarantees you 100% commitment.

Jack Rollins - another defender not afraid to put his foot where it counts. Acknowledges the need to get the ball up the pitch quickly when it is won in defence.

Nelson Nkanzei - such a raw talent. Looks fearless when running at the opposition with the ball at his feet. One player I expect to have a very good second half of the season.

Another positive for me as manager is that we had players missing today who are just as good as those listed above!

Next up for the U11s is another tough home game against Chinnor Youth on Sunday followed by the return local derby with Aylesbury FC the week after.