Under 9's A
Match Report
Without doubt, the best Match Report of the Season, especially for a 0-0!! Well Done Mike:
The Feminine Touch
Elm Grove 0 Ashtead Colts 0
“How did you lot lose 5 – 0 to that lot”? Dave Rennles words not mine but he spoke the truth based on what we saw on Saturday.
Let’s look a little deeper into history to find the reason for our change in fortune and how the Colts bounced back from a drubbing. The year 1996. A year of supreme optimism on Tyneside; a year when the Toon swept almost all before them with a cavalier attacking style that to this day the Newcastle fans talk about. And “Wor Nick” as we affectionately know him was no different; that was until the 21st January 2012 a fateful day in “Wor Nick’s” football life. A black day when he saw HIS Colts concede 5 and then HIS Toon concede 5 (all in the second half). A lifetime adoring attacking football was dashed, a lifetime of believing we will score 1 more than you gone, gone, gone. You just cannot come back from 10 goals conceded.
Step forward a week to the 28th January and Nick still reeling from the previous Saturday is easy prey to Matt Goodin whose footballing philosophy is more Don Howe than Terry Venables.
Matt “How about we play 7 behind the ball this week?”
Nick “Yeah I was thinking that”
Matt “Good idea Nick”
Nick “I’ll tell the boys not to cross the halfway line”
Matt “ Pack the midfield?”
Nick “No pack the defence!”
Matt “tell ‘em shoot from the halfway line”
Nick “Tom P already does.”
Both “that’s settled then”
Matt “ Jack and I will leave at half time it sounds like its going to be a boring match”
Nick “have you been to Craven Cottage this year Matt – did you see a lot of goals?”
And so we understand history and the day in the life of Wor Nick that left him scarred and changed his footballing philosophy forever.
The Colts kicked down the hill in the first half. If we tell you James touched the ball only once in the first half it gives a fair indication as to possession stats. Matt’s plan was coming together. But the Colts appeared frightened to shoot, so despite lovely interplay we didn’t get in where it hurts. Big Jack was involved in a couple of goal mouth scrambles as he led the line but brave keeping and strong defending kept him out. TW shone in his role of midfield dynamo and his speed allowed him to run onto the ball from a deeper position. Possibly we are adjusting to Matt’s new tactics but the chances created did not reflect the possession. We had dominated the half but were now facing the hill.
But in truth the hill didn’t change that much in the second half and the Colts remained comfortable. Chances came and went. Finn all arms, legs and elbows wrestled his way through players – it was a case of you couldn’t stop the Finn. But talk of red cards was reserved for Ben whose X rated two footed lunge to stop a goal scoring chance had the Elm Grove manager waving an imaginary red card and calling for video evidence. Liam had the Colt’s best chance and his shot shaved the post. Close to the end Elm Grove nearly landed the sucker punch but James remained alert and clung on well to the ball. Jacob and Benji linked up late on in the hope of breaking through but it was as Wor Nick and Matt had planned a goalless game – “a game for the purist” Matt said in his post match interview. The team shape held and that was pleasing – plenty to look forward to next season.
Dave Rennles waited for the full time whistle before putting on his petticoat. Yes Dave was the first man to enter the cake wars and by all accounts was no mean baker. Is there no end to Dave’s talents – he puts all us men to shame – at Beaver camp Dave didn’t just find an insect as instructed by the camp leader he single handedly captured a slow worm.
The happiest person at the ground was undoubtedly Mrs Wor Nick (Louise) who had endured a fraught weekend previously. At least the Colts hadn’t lost this time and rumour has it Nick inspired by Dave’s feminine touch cooked Louise a “forgive me” meal of Beans on Toast. Dave you have started something and I expect to hear what all husbands have cooked their lovely wives from now on – Paul take-aways do not count!
As always let us end on the words of our manager - whispered into his loving wifes ear “Beanz Meanz Heinz”
It was lovely to see Louise giggle like a schoolgirl.
Previous Match
| Date: | Sat 28/01/2012 |
|---|---|
| Played: | Elm Grove Colts Eagles U9's (Away) |
| Result: | 0 - 0 |
| Comp: | League |
| Man of the match: | Tom W- Inspired in his new role |