Sprowston Tournament 27/5/12

A bright, sunny start to the Sprowston Tournament for 2012 and day of two halves ensued. There were two groups of Under 8s, with the HPR team drawn to play on Pitch 4 with the known quantities of the top Sprowston and Old Catton teams. The Corinthians were also in the group but weren't drawn against them (luckily as it turns out).

The new, bright red gazebo was erected easily and we set up camp. If only everything had gone as smoothly as that operation!

The first two matches were against the old enemies Sprowston and Old Catton. Both teams had full strength sides and it was soon evident that we were in the group of death.

We thought a good approach was to field a strong a side as possible for these matches to try and get an early win.

HPR V Old Catton

The side kicked off with Archie R and Frankie on left and right respectively and Aidan up front. In classic HPR style, Aidan muscled through and was able to slide a pass to Archie R who found the net in the first 30 seconds. So far so good. They battled well against what was a physical side with the big Rafa using his considerable size and strength to open up the HPR side on a few occasions - eventually putting a rocket past Ted that John Ruddy would have had problems with. After half time Evie came on for Max and Sol replaced Frankie, but despite some good passing play Old Catton were lucky to net a winner from a deflection.

Final score HPR lost 2 - 1

HPR v Sprowston

The players elected to run out in the new away strip for what was to prove another tough match against the old adversaries. Frankie made some good saves and really got to grips with distribution sending out some high goal kicks over the eager Sprowston forwards ready to capitalise on any mistakes. Unfortunately a roll out to Evie was snatched by the nippy forward who shot it straight back past the keeper.

Ted and Archie R worked a great free kick that the sharp Sprowston goalie managed to save. HPR had some chances but the finishing wasn't there - early shots needed!

Final score, HPR lost 2 - 0

A long break during which the team sampled too much of the bouncy castle and used up too much energy playing in the hardcourt pitch. By the time the next match came around, they were not rested but rather red.

HPR v Gorleston Celtic

The adults had watched this side during the break and realised they weren't going to be a pushover. The HPR players looked disorganised from the off and Sol in goal soon had plenty to deal with. It was 1 - 0 fairly quickly and the HPR side's head were down - there were frowns, folded arms and some terse messages from the sidelines. The opposition sensed this and were soon 4 - 0 up. A change at half time didn't help and they had 6 by full time. HPR had a couple of chances that could have saved some face, but the Gorleston goalie was sharp. Inevitably there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth during the team talk afterwards as well as cries of 'cheats'. The side were physical and it was mentioned that the refs were letting a lot of challenges go during all matches, some of which should have been penalised - tight for time perhaps and didn't want too many stoppages!

Final score HPR lost 6 - 0

HPR v North Walsham

Another tidy team and as they were playing in white, the HPR players had to quickly get back into the home strip. We weren't taking any chances here and knew morale needed to be restored. The players were refreshed with a quick ice lolly and were a match for the other side with Sol using his speed and skill to dig a ball out of the Walsham corner and get it to Aidan who found Archie R. We were 1 - 0 up but the other side made a great goal from a lovely pass.

Final score, 1 - 1 draw.

HPR v Loddon

A team we felt we could beat judging by their performance against other sides. Evie goal keeping and Frankie in defence kept the danger at bay and Sol soon popped one home. Ted followed and we were 2 - 0 up at half time. Archie R came on for Sol and Aidan replaced Ted and got another couple in the second half. Loddon had few chances but managed to pull one back.

Fianl Score HPR won 4 - 1

All-in-all, a mixed day but a taste of what's in store next season. There were a lot physical challenges that the referees could have dealt with - but our team need to know how to hold their own against sides who use their  without using foul play. Happily Gorleston Celtic went on to beat Corinthians 1 - 0 so are not a team to mess with.

Player of the match is Evie for being the only one to hold it together after the Gorleston game.

Points for training in future;
Dealing with physical challenges.
Talking to each other on the pitch, maybe time to appoint a captain each time.
More speed/movement on the pitch.

The team were all smiles again by the end and in high spirits. As Frankie said later in the evening "I'd completely forgotten about the game against Gorleston", so no lasting emotional damage then.

Away Shirt Alert

Not pink as previously threatened, but angelic white.

Taverham Tournament 12/5/12

What a very enjoyable day out and no need for the fabled gazebo! A sensible decision was made to turn up at 1000am (not the required 900am), although we were last there, no one was complaining about us being late and also the boys didn't stand around getting cold!

We seemed to have been drawn against a few B teams. Our performance today showed us that we are definitely NOT a B team!

HPR v Drayton

We started off attacking well and it was good to see the team playing in position well and passing, however when getting close to goal there was a definite reluctance to shoot, perhaps the boys were scared of the big defender? Felix managed to weave his way through the defence to score 2 goals, 1 in each half. Ted showed confident form in goal with some good saves.

Final score HPR won 2 - 0

HPR v Firside

Luke showed off his handy footwork again with 2 neat goals, dancing through the defence. Archie R had a great shot at goal. Unfortunately we played quite a way up the pitch and Firside made a quick counter getting one past Sol. The second half featured some excellent shots on target by Archie R (he must have been listening to the coaches after the first game). Felix also had some good runs up the left wing but no further goals were added.

Final score HPR won 3 - 1

HPR 0 Garboldisham 0

Definitely a much stronger team and size wise, a bit bigger than us. Sol had some great shots on target, always creating some lift on the ball. Max also got in on the action and had a good attempt on goal. In the second half Archie G had an excellent attempt at a well timed header. Garboldisham started attacking more and Ted really came to the rescue with some really hard tackles, one of which almost certainly prevented a goal.

Final score, draw 0 - 0

HPR v Taverham Hurricanes

We had been beaten in the last tournament by Taverham and also in the last few league games, plus this is their tournament so they were the ones to beat! The game started off with some poor Taverham goal keeping allowing Felix to poach the ball and very nearly score. We went one up when Felix crossed the ball and Archie R produced an excellent tap in - (great 1-2). In the second half Archie R had an excellent run on goal and when 1-on-1 with the goalie, tried to chip him, the keeper got a hand to it however Luke, ever the opportunist, poked it in!

Final score HPR won 2 - 0

Anyone for a burger? Yes, it was time for our 1hr 15min break. Actually the boys loved it - burgers, ice cream, bouncy castle, shooting arrows at targets and generally going a bit mad! Actually a whole day of football is obviously not enough to get rid of their energy. Hopefully they'll sleep well tonight!

HPR v Norwich Utd

This was their second team and the star player seen earlier on in the day had disappeared. We had rather a huge height advantage. After Aidan hit the post, Ted got the first, popping in a cross (nice 1-2!) This was followed first by an excellent Aidan poach from the goalie and then a great shot on target by Aidan. Second half saw a Ted put in from a Felix shot, then a Felix tap in. There were some excellent shots on target by Aidan and Sol. Archie G showed some quick thinking in goal by pouncing on a ball that seemed to have got away from him. Finally Sol scored a lovely volley from a rising ball. That looked good! Once again Max was terrific in defence preventing any counter attacks.

Final score HPR won 6 - 0

HPR v Costessey Rockets

These boys were big! Especially the goal keeper, 8 years old? This was a bit of a rougher game for the lads and a few free kicks were awarded our way, however it was still played in good spirit. Archie R took it on himself to take some shots on distance (as they were a bit big?) and he was rewarded with 2 goals, the second despite a credible parry from the (very tall, did I mention that?) goalkeeper. Archie G had a good headed attempt and Ted also had a good shot on goal. Max did well to tough it out in defence in quite a physical game.

Final score HPR won 2 - 0

Man of the Match: Aidan - consistently performing with great energy and skill and remembering his position on the field better.  (I have the trophy - remind me to give it to you after next training!)

Horsford Youth FC Tournament 6/5/12

The first tournament of the summer, although anyone there wouldn't have packed the sun block.

There were five fixtures in the U8C mini league including long standing rivals Sprowston and Taverham.

HPR v Worstead Coyotes

After a long wait for the first game we were off against a team we knew nothing about. They looked very fetching in their silver/grey kit, but offered little resistance to the HPR formation with Aidan soon finding the back of the net. Felix was excellent down the left wing expertly crossing many balls into the penalty area. Luke hooked one of these up and HPR were 2 - 0 up at half time. Ted and Sol came on and Aidan had another from a nice cross in from Ted on the right. Ted finished off the scoring with a tap in from a corner. Max kept the Coyotes at bay in defence and Frankie dealt with a couple of shots in goal.

Final score HPR won 4 - 0 (3 points)

HPR v Horsford Lads

A side with more promise here and the plucky HPR side couldn't steer the ball home during the first half, probably down to some out of position play by the team. Horsford didn't either and it was 0 - 0 at half time. A quick chat and change of players and Felix had soon put one away. HPR fell foul of the back pass rule and Horsford had a free kick from close range which Ted got his fingers to, but was unable to keep out. Felix was unlucky to hit the bar and three exciting goal mouth scrambles in the Horsford area were unsuccessful.

Final score  - score draw 1 - 1 (2 points)

HPR v Drayton Dragons

We have to assume that this team haven't been playing long as the HPR side were all over them. Sol was in goal and only had a couple of touches all match. The goals flowed with Ted and Max getting hatricks with Frankie and Luke also netting one each.

Final score HPR won 8 - 0 (3 points)

HPR v Taverham Whirlwinds

This was going to be the difficult game, and that's how it turned out. HPR were unlucky early on to not be 2 - 0 up - more work on finishing required! HPR were putting the Taverham side under a lot of  pressure and soon had a penalty from a blatant handball in the Taverham goal area. Aidan hammered it into the back of the net - no chance for the goalie. Taverham responded with two goals - one from a poached goal kick. Ted made a fantastic save before half time and Luke managed to slide one away for HPR to level the score at 2 - 2. The second half was evenly matched with Aidan hitting the post, but Taverham were awarded a corner, against Ted's judgement who maintained at the end that it should have been a goal kick - referee's decision is final though. The crafty forward steered the ball past the HPR defence and the game was finished.

Final score HPR lost 2 - 3 (0 points)

HPR v Sprowston Spartans

A team we really wanted to beat for various reasons. Sprowston had first blood with meaty strike high in the HPR goal past Aidan. Sol was very effective down the right hand side and was unlucky with an early shot. Ted leveled the score with what might have been a Sprowston OG, or deflection - it was hard to see from where your correspondent was standing. Ted continued in that vein with two more before half time. Another from Sprowston and it was 3 - 2 to HPR at half time. Sol continued his dominance on the right but was soon brought down quite badly by a frustrated Spowston player. A quick magic sponge moment and Sol banged the free kick home with such force that it was probably good the goalie didn't touch it. Aidan felt it right to get a couple more just to make sure and one more Sprowston goal finished the game.

Final score HPR won 6 - 3 (3 points)

All in all a great day apart from the weather. The local pub was convenient for some of the adults to hide in too. The goalscorers are the ones that get mentioned the most in the match report, but we must remember the team can only operated because all the team members performed brilliantly. A total of 11 points from a possible 15 isn't a bad score!

We will be beating Taverham for sure.