Under 11's Season 2010/11 News

Updated: 26th July 2010


U11's 2010/11


25th July

Crawley Green 1 v St Martins 1 

Our second eleven aside game in 24 hours and I have to say a big well done to all involved. We knew today that it was going to be much harder than yesterday. Made a few adjustments to the side and was pleased to see the things I was looking for. Crawley as usual got the ball down and played some nice football and it made our boys have to work hard. We struggled up the hill to force enough pressure and when we did force them back I was a little disappointed we didn’t take a little more care and keep them there. Very pleased with the defence who made sure the chances were very limited and shut out any, when they did occur.

 We will have to put a lot more work in upfront as we never offered much which only added the pressure on us defensively. I felt we would turn the tide with the hill in our favour but not as much as I hoped, probably some of it down to tiredness with two games in two days. With the pressure we did get in the second half I feel we should have delivered the ball a little earlier as we got the bodies in the box but tried one or two too many touches that enabled the chance to be covered.  At last we did use it right and after some good work between Adam and Kieran, Adam found some space and looked up and struck a lovely cross field shot that took the Crawley keeper by surprise. I think the boys took the foot of the gas once we scored and this allowed Crawley to come back at us and it wasn’t long enough for me till they scored. I wasn’t happy with how it was scored either, we had at least three or four chances to deal with it and it came straight down the middle,  no one took responsibility and made it too easy after the hard work they had put in.

With the goal they woke up again and saw the rest of the game out to give us a well deserved draw.

Two games in two days, one win and a draw, some great football at times, but most pleasing fantastic work rate. A new experience for some of the new boys which I know they would have learnt from. A lot to work on in training but the way they have applied themselves is a credit and they should all be extremely happy.

Well done.

Thank you to Aaron and James for helping out.

Squad, Aaron Barnes,Alex Forsythe,Kieran Phillips,Scott Davie,Henry Hayward,  Callum Hirst,Adam Hughes,Kobe Woods, Louis Clarke,Dante Langlais, Kieran Akroyd


St Martins U11 8 v St Martin’s U12 3

24^th July

Our first outing as an eleven aside team and I am extremely happy with the outcome. The boys have been working very hard in training especially on formations of eleven aside the offside rule and getting used to bonding as a team.

The U12’s are also rebuilding and I would like to say a big thank you to Lionel, his parents and most of all his players for getting together and  playing the game.

It was also our first time at our home pitch Streetfield and it was nice to see everyone’s pleasure with it.

It was tentative start by us and it was the U12’s that forced the early pressure and it took about ten minutes for the boys to realize that they were in a game, especially the new guys. With a few adjustments and organization the boys started to play and really had a go against some bigger boys. Play football around them and through them and it works. Three good goals in the first half gave us a nice lead. 

The second half with a few changes saw us drop a little bit too deep for my liking, bringing the pressure on to our penalty area but this allowed us to launch a counter attack and we added a fourth against the run of play. The U12’s came at us again and they grabbed one for themselves, when a low shot that beat Henry (covering for the broken thumb Kieran) in the bottom corner.

The last twenty minutes was a bit to and fro with us adding another four and the U12’s grabbing two for themselves.

A great first game with lots of positives, the new boys getting their first taste of competitive football and I know some found it very hard going but I’m sure they enjoyed themselves.

Well done to all today keep up the hard work and your rewards will come.

A big thank you to Aaron Hirst James Hayward and James Forsythe who came in to make the extra numbers up for both teams. Also a big thank you to Glenn Forsythe for refereeing the game.

Adam Hughes 5, Kobe Woods 1, Dante Langlais 1, Louis Clarke 1

Squad,  Aaron Barnes,Ethan Chauhan,Kieran Phillips,Scott Davie,Henry Hayward, Callum Hirst,Adam Hughes,Kobe Woods, Louis Clarke,Dante Langlais, James Forsythe Kieran Akroyd

 
Details for the season will be updated soon.


Training will continue at

Southfeild Junior School
Pastures Way
LU4 0PE

Sundays 10.30 AM till Noon (Boots Shinpads and drink a must)

Home Games for next season will be at 

Streetfeild Middle School
Dunstable Road
Caddington 
Bedfordshire
LU1 4BB

Up coming Tournament

Flitwick Eagles 11a Side
Sunday 5th September 2010
Details to follow 


Sunday 4th July 2010

Woburn Super Sixes Tournament.

Decided to only take the origanal six but requested the services of James Forsythe from the U9's to make it seven and i would like to say a big thank you to James and his parents.

Another fantastic tournament, just falling short at the Semi final stage.

Won the group stage winning four, drawing one,  scoring eight, only conceding one. 

Quarter Final win 4 nil set up a semi against one of the Woburn teams.  

Very even game for two, very tired group of boys.

Woburn though only had one point of attack, get the ball in the opposition half and win a throwin. In hindsight it would have been better to allow them corners, very impressed with the throwers delivery however we recieved four free kicks against Kieran our goalie in the 6 minute first half

Managed to stop the throwins in the second half until the last minute. Told the boys to attack it, however this one was perfect and landed straight on thier tallest players head, who through a mass of players forced it home. Last minute only allowed us one more attack and that was the end. 

Shame to lose in that way however another fantastic performance from all involved.

Squad: Kieran, Aaron, Henry, Callum, Alex, Adam and James

Thank you to the Phillips family for thier support.

Thanks Paul  

ST MARTINS FC U10'S TEAM 2009/2010



Squad

Paul: Coach   James: Assitant Coach

Zion, Sean, Henry, Alex, Callum, Aaron, Victor, Reece and Kieran.

                                                           Honours 

Chiltern Sevens Division One Champions U9 2008/09 
Chiltern Seven Tournament Winners U9 2009
Woburn Super Sixes Tournament Winners U9 2009
Flitwick Eagles Tournament Winners U10 2009
Chiltern Sevens U10 League Cup Winners 2010
Chiltern League Division One Runners Up 2009/10
Hatters Cup Runners Up 2010
Chiltern Seven Tournament Winners 2010

5th December 2009
Home Luton Borough Dragon Blues
10.30 Kick Off

League Cup

St Martins 2 Luton Borough Dragon Blues 1

We only played the Blues two weeks ago and had a very good win, but if you know anything about football then you should know you can't take anything for granted.
Of course the Blues were going to be hurt and were coming to get revenge and they gave everything they had.

The first half i felt we controlled very well, playing some excellent passing and moving, that got us into some great positions but never enough to capitalize on. We came very close on about ten minutes when the ball was played out wide to Sean who then advanced into the Blues box, having two options available to him shoot or square it, he chose the latter, laying it on for Callum who saw his shot hit the base of the post and go out for a goal kick. This spurred the team on and they started to attack with a little more zest and when we got possibly our fifth corner it was a matter of time. Victor hit a lovely ball into the Blues box and Sean met it sweet, heading down into the Blues goal to give us a one nill lead. Three out of the last four goals headers, a skill that is one of the hardest and now the boys believe they can get on the end them and are getting their rewards.

We reached half time well in control with Alex and Henry playing some good football out of the  back not rushing and supplying the midfiled with some good passes.

The second half more or less mirrored the first with us pushing the Blues back, but with them playing two up front they were always dangerous on the attack and when they got themselves a corner we knew it could be intersesting. They hit a lovely ball into our penelty area and the on rushing Blues player met it perfectly, smashing his header into our net. This woke up a team who now believed and they went for it, suddenly they were winning every fifty fifty, not allowing us to settle and causing us to find another gear, to cope. The boys did, it took about ten minutes but they finally relaxed and got control of the game again and it was getting near to the end when we got a corner. In it came and it bounced about a little and fell to Callum, who side footed into the Blues net to put us two one up.  We had a few chances before the winner but we were not able to take them but we got the one that mattered and gave us the win to put us through to the next round.

Today all the boys played really well and worked hard and i think this was just what we needed, a team that really had a go at us, because, i saw how the boys handled a very different situation that they havn't had for a while and deal with it in a way that shows their maturity.

Excellent game of football and well played both teams. (Easy to say when you win, i know)

Well done St Martins

Paul 

28th November 2009
Home Maulden Magpies Whites
10.30  Kick Off

League Cup 

St Martins 4 Maulden 0

Todays game against Maulden finally got played after being called off two weeks ago and im glad it went our way. Even though a Division Two team, Maulden have got of to a good start, so we knew they would be full of confidence. Kicking off in cold conditions is always a worry as it certainly slows our boys down even though i told them to move the ball fast and to make sure they warmed up.
The first half turned into a bit of a slog with plenty of possesion but we never really took control till five minutes to the half, when Zion intercepted a Maulden goal kick controlled and found the back off the Maulden net via the post.

Half Time 1 Nil
Changes were made and instructions to not sit off Maulden were given.

We started the second half much brighter and with much more determination, creating more space that was missing in the first half and im pleased to say, closing the opposition down. With a few chances just going wide the boys knew it would only be a matter of time before we doubled our tally and when Sean recieved the ball out on the right he set himself delivering a pinpoint cross for Victor to finish with a fantastic header, that looked more like Alan Shearer (the guy of Match of The Day for the young ones).
Within two minutes another cross was delivered and Victor met it again with his head this time it looked like Andy Gray ( the one off Sky Sports little ones). The boys were now playing with confidence and pushing Maulden right back and Victor grabbed a third after a corner struck him on the knee and found a place in the Maulden net (just like his dad would have finished, pure class).
With at least four or five chances just missing the boys finished very strong and walked away with a much deserved win, i just need them to play like that all game, it will come, im sure of it, if not, ill make it happen, so boys beware, more work to be done.

Well done

Paul      

21st November 2009
Home Luton Borough Dragon Blues
10.00 Kick Off

St Martins 6 Luton Borough Dragon Blues 0

After a forced break last week due to the weather it was nice to get back out there. Even though we didnt play last week the boys still got together on the sunday at Reece's party which helps alot and i know they enjoyed themselves.

Today we were home to Luton Borough Dragon Blues who we have not played against forover a year, so we were not to sure what to expect other than a very tough game.
What has pleased me the most this season is every team we have played against play football ,the way they try to pass and move is great to see and Luton done just that.

The opening five minutes saw both teams sizeing each other up and i felt we were sitting of them letting them control the ball with no pressure applied, so i encouraged the boys in the middle of the park to step forward and not let them settle. The boys responded and more often than not came away with the ball. I reminded the boys that getting the ball wide for our runners would open up the space that we were looking for and we did that, finding Reece who controlled and smashed in a lovely left foot shot to put us one nil up.

Within a couple of minutes the ball was coming down our right towards our penalty area, with words of relax and find a pass in the air Sean played back to Alex who squared it to Henry played it out wide to Reece who knocked it inside to Callum then played it into Victors feet who then found Reece running down the left, controlled and smashed it in for his second. Every outfield player in volved and they played an even better move two minutes later that screamed pass the post. The boys have worked so hard in training and they are now reaping their efforts. With us now in control and looking strong in all areas the football was a joy to watch and when the ball dropped to Alex way out he only had one thought and why not, because he hit a beauty sailing over the Luton goalie to take us to a three goal lead at half time.

A couple of changes and out we went for the second half i knew it would be hard to keep up the level they had from the first, but we started to narrow our game and running on our own. Luton put two forwards up front that kept Henry and Alex busy but never really found a way through.
When we did get the ball wide we looked dangerous and when Callum put in a strong cross that we were trying to get on the end of a Luton player beat us to it and unfortuantley for him, it flew into his own net.

We continued to control the game but Luton where very willing opponents who worked their socks off, but today we played the football we know we can and we added a further two goals, Victor making it five and Zion adding the sixth. At the other end Kieran, Alex and Henry worked hard with the help of the midfield to make sure we didnt concede and we left todays game, a job well done.

Thank you boys

Paul

7th November 2009
Away Luton Old Boys
09.30 Kick Off

Luton Old Boys 2 St Martins 3 

A cold early start against a team that has won seven out of seven was always going to be a test of where we are. With Zion ill and Reece pulling out in the warm up it was down to the seven boys left remaining.

We kicked up hill in the first half and things were pretty even, however i felt we looked more likely to find the break through. Luton Old Boys were up for this game, working hard and looked dangerous on the attack but it was us that went ahead after about 15 mins.

With one of our many corners the boys changed things and caught Luton napping when Victor played a short one to Sean who threw a dummy to the on rushing defender, stepped passed him and looked up to see Callum in space on the edge of the box and with a neat lay back Callum was able to finish through a crowd of players to put us one nill up. This didn't deter Luton who came right back at us equalizing with a good strike from their forward.

With both teams scoring we were back to square one, to and fro but it was St Martins who broke through again, Sean winning the ball on the half way line and working it to Victor who made a little space for himself and slipped it passed the Luton keeper to take us into half time, leading 2 1.

The half time team talk was about work rate and i know it was difficult with no subs but from what i saw Luton had the ability to come at us, so i really emphasized concentration and hard work.

With the hill in our favour i thought it would be a little easier, but as usual football
doesn't work like that and we found it harder going in the second half.

We started the second half much the same as the first but we started to back away which invited Luton on to us, i feel this was more down to tiredness with no subs available than anything else and Luton were more than capable of exploiting that, pushing us further back than we would have liked, however they never really found a way through against the hard working Alex and Henry backed up by Keiran in goal.

With St Martins always looking dangerous on the break it was still a very open game and it was one of those breakaways that St Martins extended their lead to 3 1, when Victor found Aaron at the back post to stab in our third.

This didnt deter Luton who worked very hard and they grabbed their second to set up a very tense last ten minutes. With both teams tiring and Luton making numerous subs the minutes ticked away and with a few little scares St Martins held out for a very diffucult win that shows how far they have come. We didn't play at our best and Luton Old Boys are a very good side, so all in all a job well done by a hard working side on the day.

Well done proud of you.

Paul   

Saturday 31st October
Home AFC Luton B
Kick Off 10.30 AM

St Martins 4 AFC Luton B 0

Today we welcomed AFC Luton B, a team we haven't played for a while so we wasn't sure what to expect. I told the boys how impressed we were after last weekand, and encouraged  them to continue the way they were going.

From the kick off we were in the driving seat, but AFC proved more physical than expected and put themselves about with a lot of vigour. It was hard to break them down but when we did we wasn't able to take the chances we created, this only added to the frustration all round and if anything made us play within ourselves instead of playing the football we know we can. We got into some very good positions but chose to try it on our own, when there were plenty of better options.   
We got to the break with the team in control but just couldn't find the net.

The half time team talk was a chance to tell the boys to get the passing going and that when we get one we would get more and to move the ball quick and find some space.

The first goal came after about 5 minutes into the second half, Victor took a corner that flew low into the AFC penelty area and was put into AFC net by one of their own players.
That was the break through we needed and the boys started to play football that they know they can, moving it fast that was made easy as runners started to find space stretching the AFC defence and opening up the areas to play in. Victor put us two nil up with a good finish after some neat work down the left. A third was added by Zion that was more down to determination than skill, after he followed up and poked in from one yard out.

The boys now played some great football working it down the left then coming back out and moving it across to the right and if that didnt work they changed it again. If the boys need any lesson that passing works better than running it on their own, then this was it, the fourth goal was sheer class after a period of possesion the boys injected a quick four or five passing move that mesmerized the AFC defence and when Zion took it at his feet he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the AFC top corner. 
That goal was a great topping to to a much better second half and was accompanied with a very strong clean sheet.

A good test that threw a new aspect into the ring. Physical football, teams are getting stronger and will not lie down and be walked over.

Slow start but the boys played well in the second half and a well deserved win.

Well done. 

Saturday 24th October

Away AFC Shillington

Kick Off 10.00 AM
AFC Shillington 1 St Martins 3

After the disapointment of the game against Bushmead being cancelled it was back to business away from home against AFC Shillington.
We met them in the group stages and they gave us a good game coming from 2 nil down earning a much deserved draw, so we knew it would be a tough encounter.

First Half

The game started with both teams sharing the possesion of the play with no real penetration. There was  alot of play up to each others last third but niether team were able to find away through. After about 15 minutes i felt we where playing a little to deep espiecially after i gave the boys instructions to force the play up the field and play in their half. I encourage the boys again to push more up the field and they responded well, getting the reward we was looking for when Victor struck home with a good effort after some hard work from Sean and Reece. This settled us down and we arrived at half time looking well in control. 

Second Half

The break gave me an opportunity to sort a few things and the boys responded, going at the second half as they ended the first, well in control, playing some slick passing that opened the Shillington defence for a second time, allowing Victor to double his tally. 
It was now that i thought back to how we were two nil up against them last time, but i needn't have worried as the boys were well in control looking comfortable in all areas working hard which i feel is one of our strongest traits. I am always telling the boys that if they want success they have to work harder than any other team, i expect it as second nature and today thats exactly what they did.

With about ten to go Sean recieved the ball just inside the Shillington half, with shouts of "find a pass" in the air, Sean attacked the first Shillington player, then the second and i believe a third, maybe a fourth, with still shouts of "PASS" directed at him he unleashed a right foot screamer that went in of the bar much to the delight of all associated with ST Martins, a truly great goal that reminded me of Chris Waddle, head down lazy decieving gait a pleasure to watch, however we did tell him to pass next time.
The referee announced there was 30 seconds left as Shillington won a corner and on delivery it landed right at the feet of one of the Shillington players, who controlled and finished with confident composure. Before we collected the ball the final whistle went on an very impressive display that was a joy to watch. 

What pleased me the most today was the hard work of the midfielders that made such a difference, allowing us to win a difficult game in the way that they did.

Well done Paul  

Maulden Magpies 0 v St Martins 18

Ok this was an interesting game as we knew how Maulden had faired in previous games in the group, so the result didn't come as to much of a suprise, however the amount of goals suggests a little different. We were already 8 goals behind in the league and as usual it was at the forefront of our minds we needed a big score to win the group. And the boys delivered, allowing us to top the group with a plus seven advantage and our first clean sheet in five games added the little cherry on top. 

Yes the game was one sided but i and all the parents would like to mention how impressed we were with Maulden, who never gave up and continued to battle right to the end. I spoke to all the parents of Maulden and gave them a vote of confidence and encouraged them not to be to despondent, explaining the position we were in and why i stiil pushed our boys to the end.

The boys applied themselves perfectly starting at such a pace we scored within five seconds, even without the kick off, from then on it was more like a training session, attack against defence with us camped in thier half.  It was nine nil at half time with some great moves and finishes.

I told the boys at half time that its was important we showed our opponents respect and i can happily say that i was immensely impressed with how our boys handled themselves in the situation they were in.   

The second half was exactly the same as the first, with only a brief five minute spell when we took the foot of the gas.

The final whistle blew with us scoring a total of 18 goals that then created a mixed bag of emotions, glad with the win, proud we behaved impeccably, hopefull we would top the group and a little sad for our opponents, as its never right for games to be so one sided.  

Goal Scorers, im not going through them all, but in amoungst the lot there was some great moves and great finishes.

Well done boys.

Reece 5
Sean 4
Victor 4
Zion 2
Aaron 1
Alex 1
Henry 1  

Saturday October 3^rd 2009

Home v St Josephs

Kick Off 10.30 

St Martins 8 v St Josephs 1 

The weather made today’s game a tougher encounter than expected in that it made it hard to get any regular rhythm. We have only met St Josephs once before in a friendly last season where we came away with a comfortable 6 nil win. We started brightly passing the ball well, but our front boys couldn’t find the target and when they did the St Josephs keeper was equal to anything we could throw at him.

I decided to remain quiet at the beginning of the game allowing the boys an opportunity to run their own game with me not in their ears screaming orders as I normally do and I feel the boys worked well in the majority with only a few lapses that we can work on in the coming weeks. However I couldn’t remain quite for long and I encouraged the boys to push more into the opposition half and we finally made the break through after about 15mins with a good finish from Sean after a Zion corner. Now to settle get hold of the ball and pass it with confidence and add some more, however St Josephs came straight back at us with a good passing move catching us short at the back and grabbed the equalizer with a good finish into the roof our goal. For the remaining of the half we should have got ourselves back in front but for some rushed shots, wrong decisions and some good goalkeeping it didn’t arrive.

Half Time 1v1

A little chat and couple of changes we went at the second half but it didn’t seem like it was going to be any different from the first as we huffed and puffed our way through the first ten minutes, but we managed to get the important goal that changed the whole of game and it was Sean again with a great finish from the edge of the box.

This seemed to wake our boys up and it was about two minutes later when Victor had a shot saved by the impressive St Joseph’s keeper only for Sean to run in and grab his much, deserved hat trick.

Now the boys were on a roll and we hit the St Joseph’s defence on a quick breakaway from one of their corners when Sean hit a great pass down the left that Victor allowed to run pass him, he then out ran the last defender and scored with good composure. By now there was no stopping the boys who went on to add four more, Sean getting his fourth Victor his second and Reece and Zion one each respectively. It wasn’t one of our best performances but there was some great movement and passing and a lot to be pleased about. We don’t normally choose a Man of The Match, however, ever so often there will be a performance that warrants it and Sean was the one who attacked the St Josephs defence, grabbing four goals himself, the first two excellent finishes and his overall contribution was superb.

Well done, good stuff boys,

Paul 

Home Harlington

Kick Off 11 AM

Group A

St Martins 11 Harlington 3

After the tough away game we had last week, that saw us relinquish a two goal lead, it was always going to be important that we came back with a good display and win. It was our first home game of the season and our first ever game at our new home Southfields. All we knew about our opposition was that they had been a school team last year and it was going to be interesting to see how they faired in a club league. From some of the results that are coming out in the group stages it hasn’t been an easy ride for the school teams and that’s how the game went today.

From the kick off we where right in amongst it getting hold of the ball early and using it well with some neat passing that opened up the Harlington defence, and it was after about five minutes when Victor opened the scoring with a neat finish. In a game where we score eleven goals it is always hard to keep an eye on the build ups and pattern of play that precedes any particular goal. However the first half really pleased me with the way we passed and supported each other all across the front line and in the middle and it was this that took us to a good four nil half time lead with Victor and Aaron sharing two apiece.

Half Time

With a couple of changes it was back out and back with us putting the pressure on the Harlington defence. It wasn’t long before we grabbed a fifth and it seemed we would really push on and add a hat full, when Harlington broke away and scored one of their own with a good finish. Yes it caught us by surprise but it was more of a surprise that they scored three in a game where we were so dominant.

For the next 20 minutes it was a to and fro game up and down with us adding more and Harlington pitching in with a few of their own, however as the score line suggest it was a very comfortable game for us with only a few lapses that I will have to remind the boys about, if we don’t want them to happen in more tighter games. I’m not to sure how the scoring went but I was pleased how we did score them with the build ups and then the finishes, however if it could had been much more and it wouldn’t have been a surprise if it was, we missed just as many as we scored and that’s ok as the main thing is we are creating them.

Victor bagged three, Aaron, Sean, Henry and Zion all grabbed a couple each, which now means that every player this season has scored and that can only be a positive for all involved. 

11 v 3 victory that was so pleasing to watch and I’m sure great to be involved in. 

Well done boys keep it up

Paul 26th September 2009

19^th September 2009

Away AFC Shillington

Kick Off 10.30

Group A

AFC Shillington 2 St Martins 2

We knew that this was going to be one of the toughest games of the group stages and it proved just that. The game started with us putting immediate pressure on to the Shillington defence with us making early chances but as I said before we need to relax and take them otherwise we will get punished.

We eventually broke through around the ten minute mark, after Victor found Reece who was able to take control and set himself before slipping the ball pass the oncoming Shillington keeper. One nil up and time to really take the game to the opposition who were working hard to keep us out. At least three or four chances got wasted where if we took more care and not rushed we should and I believe would have taken. We looked very comfortable in defence and always limiting them to very little space that took us to a one nil lead at half time.

I got the impressing that the boys thought the job was done and I said to them at half time we have to switch on and make sure we went with our runners and to stop ball watching.

Half time

The second half started with Shillington putting pressure on us and it became the theme of the game. Even though they didn’t get any clear-cut chances with the boys working hard in defence they always looked dangerous and I kept on telling the boys to pick up and not switch off. This is something I feel should now be done automatically but it seemed that the boys kept looking at me blankly as if I was asking them do something new.

As the half went on we occasionally entered the opposition half and it was one of these where we doubled our score, with a good right foot shot from Aaron that went in of the bar. It’s now when we usually see why this team is a success, as they are normally switch on and work hard to limit any space and any opportunities that the opposition get. But within two minutes of us getting our second Shillington were back in it, we didn’t track back and Shillington was able to overload our defence and squeeze one passed Kieran. With Shillington piling on the pressure and us not working hard enough it was just a matter of time before they got their equalizer and it came with about five to go. We did have an opportunity to get a winner but we will need to play the pass and not try to do it on our own. Its something I will be working on and I’m sure the boys will respond.

Overall we came away with a draw and we was always in the lead which was positive, but the boys will have to learn teams will not let us have all our own way and some are more than capable of taken us on.

Well done guys,

Paul

12th September 2009
Away Luton United 11 AM Kick Off
Group A



Luton United 2 St Martins 6

This was our first League outing of the season in Group A of the Group stages and it was a great start with a lot to be pleased about.

Straight from our kick off we put the Luton United defence under pressure which was the theme of the majority of the game, with us having the ball in our possesion more often than not. With a few chances missed we eventualy broke through with a little one two from Victor to Aaron who then set Victor for a neat finish. 1 nil. We then had a couple of chances that came back of the woodwork that with a little bit more composure would have found the net. It wasn't all one way, United were causing us a few problems with some quick breakaways, that had to be dealt with by Sean, Henry and Zion in goal. 

The goal seemed to give the team a little more confidence and we started to get the ball on the floor and use the full width of the pitch, creating the gaps allowing Sean to find Reece in space who cut back inside and slipped the ball into Callum, good first touch and then picked his spot with a good strike to put us 2 nil up. Now was the time to push on but Luton were not going to sit back and let us play, they worked hard with some very good defending. With about two minutes to go before the half, Victor picked up the ball wide on the right and attacked the first defender, stepping inside, his momentum allowed him to glide passed number two and then three, looked up and picked his spot with a good pass into the Luton net, a great individual goal. 3 nil.

Half Time

A couple of changes and fresh legs and out for the second half, straight away it was us on the attack creating chances that kept going begging, but we eventualy grabbed a fourth and Callums second after a neat set up by Kieran. Pete and i kept having to keep an eye on our defence with all this attacking it was leaving us a little exposed at the back and Luton was still working hard upfront.
Another attack down the right with Zion in possesion who looked up and picked out Kieran with a great cross who nodded in for 5 nil.

Looking good and in control i encouraged the team to over play a bit, allowing Luton to nip in and nick the ball of us and score against the run of play. Lesson learnt on my part. Two minutes later and it was the team that switched of and Luton were in again nicking a second goal of us. A quick shake of the heads with Alex and Henry tightening up the defence, it was back to business with us on the attack creating chance after chance but the boys will need to take a little more care in front of goal, as we missed a hat load of chances today, and we will need to take the few that come along in the tighter games. 

Five to go and with both teams tiring the space was begining to show which allowed us to open the Luton defence up one more time with some neat passing from Sean to Keiran and onto Recce who cut inside and picked his spot to finish off the scoring for the day. 6 2.   

Overall a good day with some good football that showed the standard the boys have reached over the last couple of the seasons. It says alot that when all the team leaves a game upset if we even let a goal in now. But the win was richley deserved and the boys worked hard in amongst the good football.

I would also like to add that Luton United played with a lot of passion and determination that impressed Pete and I.

Alot to look forward to this season well done boys great start.

Paul. 

Under 10's Win Flitwick Pre Season Tournament in Style

Played Six - Won Six - Scored 13 - Conceded 1 (Penalty in the final)


Today was our first competitive outing of the season and it was a fantastic day. So far we have had two friendley’s that have thrown up a mixed bag of results. First a trip to St Albans which we lost 4 nil and then we popped up to Flitwick Eagles where we came away with a much deserved 3 2 win.

Tournament 

We started off with a great 4 nil win, the first time we have won an opening game of a tournament. This was followed by another comfortable 2 nil win that set us up for a crunch game against Crawley Green Lions. A much tougher opponent that equalled us in their commitment but never really troubled us around our goal. It was a game of very few chances as usual, but thankfully we were able to create the one that mattered and who else but Reece toe poked the winner against his old club.

The final game of the group saw us win 2 nil and put us as group winners.

We met Westoning in the semi and it was by far our least convincing performance, it seemed the boys let nerves get the better of them as they rushed and swung their legs at everything and more than often missed. But they were still able to get the all important goal that gave us the win and put us in another final.

The final threw us against Flitwick Eagles who we played the week earlier in a winning friendly.

I told the boys to trust their football abilities and their team mates, as that is what works for this team, and that’s what they did, blasting into a comfortable 3 nil lead with some fantastic football. All that was left was to keep a final clean sheet and it seemed we had done it, but Flitwick were awarded a penalty for handball that was to say the least generous. Yes it hurts even with us winning, but the boys were outstanding today and that’s all of them. What pleases Pete and I is there isn’t one player that dominates this team, all of them are one and that’s what makes this team a success.

Thanks Guys well done 

Paul



Squad: Zion, Sean, Henry, Alex, Callum, Aaron, Victor, Reece and Kieran.