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.
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