Excellent Win to End the Year

It was an early start for the U11s at our temporary home of Fairford Leys as we took on Seer Green United - one of the best teams in our division and a team who had beaten us 5-2 at their home ground back in September.

With a few of last weeks unavailables back in contention we went into the game with a strong squad with Nathan Bosworth and Ben Philbey starting the game in defence to give it a really strong look.

The game was end to end from the start and we managed to take an early lead when Joshua Harrison got the ball at this feet and headed directly for goal before firing in over the keeper's head from at least 15 yards out. A great goal as Josh did what he does best - run at the opposition and get them on the back foot.

The visitors were soon level when they broke down the right, managed to cross and their attacker expertly turned our defender to slot home.

We took the lead when Nelson Nkanzei threaded a perfect ball through to Charlie Davis who side footed a first time strike home. A great goal as it showed one of our stronger players at this technical best (Charlie) and was created by a player who had made real progress over the last few games (Nelson).

Seer Green were not down hearted however as equalised when we failed to clear a corner and their played reacted quickest in the box. This was the seventh lead we had let slip in three games we went in at half time frustrated but still very much in the game.

Jacob Oliver and Jack Rollins came on for the last 10 minutes of the first half and once again made their case for more game time in the new year as they got in the opposition's faces and made us difficult to play against. Elliott Behan worked hard in midfield and whilst he may have been showing signs of tiredness his willingness to dig deep and find the energy for his team is beyond admirable.

A few half time reinforcements were made with Aqib Zahir, Kaelin Shaw and Joshua Cotton all coming on to freshen things up.

The second half was just as end to end but we managed to sneak into the lead when Joshua Harrison played in Andrew Carr who expertly curled the ball around an onrushing defender into the back of the net. Another technically brilliant goal as a result of a clinical through ball and a side footed first time finish.

Seer Green continued to play really well with their short passing game and short corners putting us under real pressure. They hit the bar and even sent their keeper up for a late corner but our defence - expertly marshalled by man of the match Igor Chrzanowski and helped by a much improved kicking performance from goalkeeper Oliver Foster held firm to make sure we didn't make it 8 leads lost in 3 games and ensured a brilliant victory to end the calendar year and the first half of the season with.

There was even time for late substitutes Alex and Hugo to join the fray and both did exactly what I asked of them to ensure we held onto our slender lead.

Our record for the season so far reads played 11, won 6, drawn 3, lost 2 - something we would have happily taken back in September. After Christmas our games become competitive as we target a cup final place at the end of the season. Can we achieve this? Yes we can but we will need a more focused approach to training and our warm ups if we are to achieve this.

Well done boys - so far so good as far as this season is concerned but you are capable of more and it is up to you to achieve this.