Just in case anyone is interested, as the results for this year aren't published, I've done a little summary of how the HPR Under 8s did this year in a league style. All the games are ones that were arranged by the FA (except the last one against Blofield which was in place of Firside). We did play some friendlies too, but I haven't included those.
Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD Points
24 14 3 7 58 32 26 45
Not a bad first season.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Norwich United Match Report 21/4/12
This match was essentially a friendly to replace a fixture lost to cold weather. Is there ever a friendly? We initially thought we were playing two Norwich United teams - their A & B, but it turned out we would be playing just one Norwich United team and Blofield again.
The first omen was good - the sun was out which is always nice. But we had to wait until nearly 11am to get our first match in as they were using only one pitch with 4 teams. We organised some training which seemed to go on for ages with the players battling boredom. They stuck to it and before the adults had time to call the players round, Norwich United were lining up. Things were looking bad at this point as we needed to explain to the team that we were playing a new formation. Luckily we were able to deploy the trusty tactic board and the players obviously got the picture.
Norwich United game (HPR won 4 - 1)
Norwich United are the team that thrashed us 3 - 0 when we first met them in October, so we weren't expecting to come away with more than a draw. Something clicked today as HPR were following the plan and frustrating what is a very tall team (if ever there was a case to demand a viewing of birth certificates, it was now). No shouting at players to pass anymore - they are using their brains (hurray) and they took to the formation of three across the middle with scope to move up and down the pitch like ducks to water. Before we knew what was happening, Archie R had been fed balls from the three channels of Felix, Aidan and Frankie and we were 2 - 0 up. Max saved one on the line with his knee and was unfortunately hurt and subbed by Evie, who also saved one with her knee. Ted kept a clean sheet despite many corners and much goal mouth action. A nice pass from Archie R was knocked in close to the post by Felix to leave the score 3 - 0 at half time, when a couple of players were thinking about celebrating prematurely. The team changes were made and the second half had less goals from HPR, except an astonishing Messi - esque flick over the goalie by Sol and a couple of chances from Ted and Luke. The opposition had a lucky goal from a deflection that beat Archie G to finish 4 - 1 against a side that had not lost this season. And this was their A team.
Blofield game (HPR won 3 - 1)
Invigorated by the win, the teams came out against Blofield all guns blazing, but were unable to find the back of the net. They came in at half time at 0 - 0. The second half was different with three HPR goals from Luke, Aidan and Frankie, the second from a lovely long range free kick from Archie R. Blofield managed to breach the defence very close to the end despite a valiant attempt by Archie G which nearly came off. The deflection went to a Blofield player who knocked it home just on the final whistle. Not bad again, a 3 - 1 win.
Back to winning ways.
Player of the match was Sol for that superb goal, although every player today raised their game - so a stand out moment clinched it.
We are planning to train on a proper pitch all year round next year somehow as we feel that the players need it to get to grips with throw-ins and corners etc. We're not sure how it will work yet, but will consult all parents when we have some options.
The consensus so far is that we'll o ahead and get some away tops for team, hopefully they'll be the right size. But what colour will they be??????
We will have info on the tournaments soon, we can only take 8 players to each (their rules) and only 7 to one of them so we are devising a list to make sure everyone get an equal shot.
The first omen was good - the sun was out which is always nice. But we had to wait until nearly 11am to get our first match in as they were using only one pitch with 4 teams. We organised some training which seemed to go on for ages with the players battling boredom. They stuck to it and before the adults had time to call the players round, Norwich United were lining up. Things were looking bad at this point as we needed to explain to the team that we were playing a new formation. Luckily we were able to deploy the trusty tactic board and the players obviously got the picture.
Norwich United game (HPR won 4 - 1)
Norwich United are the team that thrashed us 3 - 0 when we first met them in October, so we weren't expecting to come away with more than a draw. Something clicked today as HPR were following the plan and frustrating what is a very tall team (if ever there was a case to demand a viewing of birth certificates, it was now). No shouting at players to pass anymore - they are using their brains (hurray) and they took to the formation of three across the middle with scope to move up and down the pitch like ducks to water. Before we knew what was happening, Archie R had been fed balls from the three channels of Felix, Aidan and Frankie and we were 2 - 0 up. Max saved one on the line with his knee and was unfortunately hurt and subbed by Evie, who also saved one with her knee. Ted kept a clean sheet despite many corners and much goal mouth action. A nice pass from Archie R was knocked in close to the post by Felix to leave the score 3 - 0 at half time, when a couple of players were thinking about celebrating prematurely. The team changes were made and the second half had less goals from HPR, except an astonishing Messi - esque flick over the goalie by Sol and a couple of chances from Ted and Luke. The opposition had a lucky goal from a deflection that beat Archie G to finish 4 - 1 against a side that had not lost this season. And this was their A team.
Blofield game (HPR won 3 - 1)
Invigorated by the win, the teams came out against Blofield all guns blazing, but were unable to find the back of the net. They came in at half time at 0 - 0. The second half was different with three HPR goals from Luke, Aidan and Frankie, the second from a lovely long range free kick from Archie R. Blofield managed to breach the defence very close to the end despite a valiant attempt by Archie G which nearly came off. The deflection went to a Blofield player who knocked it home just on the final whistle. Not bad again, a 3 - 1 win.
Back to winning ways.
Player of the match was Sol for that superb goal, although every player today raised their game - so a stand out moment clinched it.
We are planning to train on a proper pitch all year round next year somehow as we feel that the players need it to get to grips with throw-ins and corners etc. We're not sure how it will work yet, but will consult all parents when we have some options.
The consensus so far is that we'll o ahead and get some away tops for team, hopefully they'll be the right size. But what colour will they be??????
We will have info on the tournaments soon, we can only take 8 players to each (their rules) and only 7 to one of them so we are devising a list to make sure everyone get an equal shot.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Home Match Report 31/3/12
This was officially the last league game of the season, although we are having an extra game against Norwich United after Easter as that match was cancelled because of frost back in February.
The first thing to contend with on the morning was a different pitch layout which meant that we couldn't play the carefully chosen seven player teams. We would have to revert to six players, as the new pitch layout was much smaller.
Something that was noted by the trainers was that the Old Catton players who arrived first were able to organise themselves into a square and began practising passes without any adult direction. This is something we need to instil in our players if they are going to beat these teams.
Blofield game (final score HPR won 4 - 1)
Up first were Blofield who we've always beaten in the past. HPR were straight into it and Ted soon poached a goal kick and knocked it back to get 1 - 0 up in the first minute. A quick celebration and Blofield were pushing forward. They soon had one back as the HPR defence had a little sleep. Apart from that little slip-up, the back line of Max & Felix with Sol in midfield let very little get past them. Ted took another run through and had another, with Archie G taking another shot shortly after with some nice crosses from Ted. Frankie was able to keep HPR in the lead at half time with a stretching dive to turn the ball 'round the post.
A quick chat and a change of players and we were 3 - 1 up courtesy of Archie R who displayed some excellent skill on the right wing throughout the half. Archie G saved another Blofield chance by making a quick a decision to come out and block a shot. Aidan proved a very useful midfield player getting back to help the defence of Evie & Frankie, as well as covering a lot of ground to assist the forwards. The whole team were using those passing skills to very good effect and Luke was able to seal the game at 4 - 1.
Old Catton game (final score HPR lost 3 - 1)
The next game was going to be a different affair as Old Catton are one of the ones to beat - even without their big player Rafa called up to play for the Norwich City Academy. The plan was to keep Ted in goal for both halves and keep the defence solid. HPR started off looking disorganised which proved dangerous as Old Catton were straight on the attack with an unfortunate shot deflecting off Aidan and past the goalie. Aidan was able to get back and hit the Old Catton post and there was some linked up play, but Old Catton soon had another. Just before half time, a pass from Aidan to Archie R, and then onto Sol had one back for HPR as well as Sol's first league goal of the season.
The second half was one to remember even though the opposition had a lucky break when Ted tipped one onto the top of the bar which then dropped for their forward to knock in at short range. Then Felix stopped one on the line and kept the rebound out too. It was end to end stuff with Aidan getting two near misses and the adults getting very excited indeed. Felix had come alive - despite shivering just before half time as he'd refused to put his jacket on - and was taking out every Old Catton attack out to keep the score 3 -1.
Player of the match was Ted for some brilliant goal keeping and scoring twice in the first game.
The first thing to contend with on the morning was a different pitch layout which meant that we couldn't play the carefully chosen seven player teams. We would have to revert to six players, as the new pitch layout was much smaller.
Something that was noted by the trainers was that the Old Catton players who arrived first were able to organise themselves into a square and began practising passes without any adult direction. This is something we need to instil in our players if they are going to beat these teams.
HPR getting in the party mood!
Blofield game (final score HPR won 4 - 1)
Up first were Blofield who we've always beaten in the past. HPR were straight into it and Ted soon poached a goal kick and knocked it back to get 1 - 0 up in the first minute. A quick celebration and Blofield were pushing forward. They soon had one back as the HPR defence had a little sleep. Apart from that little slip-up, the back line of Max & Felix with Sol in midfield let very little get past them. Ted took another run through and had another, with Archie G taking another shot shortly after with some nice crosses from Ted. Frankie was able to keep HPR in the lead at half time with a stretching dive to turn the ball 'round the post.
A quick chat and a change of players and we were 3 - 1 up courtesy of Archie R who displayed some excellent skill on the right wing throughout the half. Archie G saved another Blofield chance by making a quick a decision to come out and block a shot. Aidan proved a very useful midfield player getting back to help the defence of Evie & Frankie, as well as covering a lot of ground to assist the forwards. The whole team were using those passing skills to very good effect and Luke was able to seal the game at 4 - 1.
Old Catton game (final score HPR lost 3 - 1)
The next game was going to be a different affair as Old Catton are one of the ones to beat - even without their big player Rafa called up to play for the Norwich City Academy. The plan was to keep Ted in goal for both halves and keep the defence solid. HPR started off looking disorganised which proved dangerous as Old Catton were straight on the attack with an unfortunate shot deflecting off Aidan and past the goalie. Aidan was able to get back and hit the Old Catton post and there was some linked up play, but Old Catton soon had another. Just before half time, a pass from Aidan to Archie R, and then onto Sol had one back for HPR as well as Sol's first league goal of the season.
The second half was one to remember even though the opposition had a lucky break when Ted tipped one onto the top of the bar which then dropped for their forward to knock in at short range. Then Felix stopped one on the line and kept the rebound out too. It was end to end stuff with Aidan getting two near misses and the adults getting very excited indeed. Felix had come alive - despite shivering just before half time as he'd refused to put his jacket on - and was taking out every Old Catton attack out to keep the score 3 -1.
Player of the match was Ted for some brilliant goal keeping and scoring twice in the first game.
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