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.

2011/12 Norfolk Youth Combination League Season Summary

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lakeford Rangers Match Report 17/3/12

Another visit to Taverham, one of our favourite teams and one we are keen to beat again.

Lakeford game (final score 1 -1)

The league match was against Lakeford, a team we easily beat 4 - 0 last time. The pre-match warm up was based heavily on passing and the need to think about space and movement. We deployed the new piece of training kit - the tactic board, which was well received by the players and went a long way to giving them more understanding about positional play. Another new rule for the team is that the subs watch their team mates during the match to get an idea of who's playing well and what the other team are like.

HPR were straight into passing mode and soon had Lakeford on the run, although they had a couple of big players. Note to parents - more spinach for HPR members in future. Archie R made some fine runs forward with good passing between himself and Ted, but had to contend with a tall Lakeford defender so wasn't able to get a shot in. Sol in goal and Max and Felix in defence broke up any attacks. It was 0 - 0 at half time and the Jammy Dodgers were issued to the subs who were coming on.

The second half squad carried on the passing play brilliantly and were unlucky to get only one goal by Archie R despite some well timed passes from Luke into Frankie in front of goal. A bit more work on finishing required. Aidan and Evie frustrated the Lakeford forwards, but unfortunately one of their big defenders forced his way down the right wing and was lucky to squeeze a close range shot past Archie G. Final score 1 - 1.

The team decided to get as muddy and wet as possible in the break between games while we waited to play a friendly against Taverham.

Taverham friendly (final score HPR lost 3 - 0)

The first half squad started well keeping the Taverham attacks at bay - the ginger haired fella posing a big danger with some monster throw-ins (taken quickly, note HPR). Ted had a bit of work to do in goal (definitely the most acrobatic goalie in the squad) but the 0 - 0 score line at half time was promising.

By the second half, the team, the tactic board and the grown-ups were all somewhat damp. The main problem being the pen wouldn't work so we couldn't do a quick bit of tactic prep using the new board. The elements conspired against us and the good training work from earlier had seemed to have been forgotten as Taverham were able to get through and right in front of goal. Despite at least one spectacular save, they put three past Frankie from close range. So the team ended a bit dejected and very muddy but as ever seemed to take it in their stride.

Player of the match was Archie R for a fabulous strike and quick thinking passes.

The adults agreed that the gap between games in future needs to be more structured as a continuous training session as we felt is was during this time that the players focus slipped and left them unprepared for the second match.

Next games are at home on 31 March against Blofield and Old Catton Lions.

Norwich Corinthians Match Report 3/3/12

Today's two matches were always going to be tough, with the Corinthians 'hand-picked super team' and a determined Taverham side (as we beat them 3 - 0 last time). Although the final outcome could have been better, there are many teams in the league that have come off far worse. There were flashes of brilliance from all the players today and it comes when they are thinking ahead. That's the next step in training (if only to save the adults heated vocal encouragement - or shouting - from the sidelines).

No photos as I forgot to get the camera out. Any parents who fancy taking some snaps in future, please let us know.

Taverham game (HPR lost 2 - 0)

HPR soon had the Taverham side on the back foot but the play was end to end . A throw in deep into the HPR end resulted in a goal kick which was poached and soon back in the HPR net. 1 - 0 to Taverham. A painful incident for Ted and a chance for HPR from a free kick taken by Archie R was stopped by the goalie with Ted firing the rebound back going straight to the goalie hands. Evie did well to cover the goal as HPR noticeably weren't as hungry as usual. A Taverham corner produced their second goal, Frankie said it came off him as the big red haired player pushed him over - one of several physical challenges from the blues and this one resulting in a substitution as Aidan came on to cover defence.

The team were swapped around for the second half with some good coverage by Archie G in midfield, clearing a corner with a fine header. Frankie made a decent save to keep the score line the same.

Norwich Corinthians game (HPR lost 2 - 1)

A short break and a jammy dodger each and we were up against the 'wonderteam'. The HPR defence weren't having any of it from the start and we were soon putting pressure on the hand picked yellows. Max and Felix were holding the back and Ted kept his eye on the ball making some good judgements. Frankie put in some strong midfield play and quick thinking claiming the ball and getting it quickly up to Archie R, who popped one home, much to the delight of the team. The yellows pressed straight forward and forced a fine save from Ted from some tense goal mouth action. Frankie continued to make play in midfield and Archie R had two more attempts saved.

The second half played out differently, but some highlights included a mighty save from Archie G. The HPR defence needed to remain solid for this half to protect the lead, but Corinthians made the most of it and had two goals, one from a lucky (for them) goal kick. Sol felt frustrated in midfield and wasn't able to demonstrate his best skills, but his form on the pitch caused a lot of problems for the opposition. His developing speed and footwork will establish him as a midfield star. Aidan and Luke were able to make a couple of breaks forward but just couldn't out fox the opposition as they usually do. Aidan was unlucky with a fine run and shot that went just wide close to the final whistle.

Player of the match was Frankie for quick thinking and dynamic midfield play.

We had a good post match team talk where it was agreed that our team are all very good friends and we all get to play, and we all enjoy. As someone said "it's only a game". And we will deploy the 'Jammy Dodger' tactic before any future games!

Next match is against Lakeford at Taverham on 17 March (although we will probably play a friendly match or two that day against Norwich United and Taverham).

Home Match Report 18/2/12

Mulbarton game (HPR lost 1 - 0)

Mulbarton have a bit of a reputation as one of the strong teams in the league but we were hopeful that we could outsmart them on our big pitch as the game had to be rearranged at the last minute to a home game.

HPR took the game into the opponents straight away and forced a few corners but couldn't find the net. The same happened at the other end and an HPR looked like suffering an OG from Archie R but luckily it went wide. Mulbarton did manage to get through and their forward struck it with force. Frankie went down for it but the striker sent high just clipping the keepers gloves.

Despite some some good passing during the second half with a nice cross from Evie into the centre for Sol, and an unlucky miss from Felix, the score remained 1 - 0 at full time.

Hillside game (HPR won 3 - 0)

Last time HPR played this team, Hillside came back from 3 - 1 down to draw the game 3 - 3, admittedly because of a few defending blunders. This time the ball was in the Hillside half nearly all match with great passing play (the team seemed to take a match to find their feet as there was no training the night before). Aidan had little to do in goal, but made easy work of any chances that Hillside had. Archie R was prolific on the right and got the first one in with Max lining up behind just in case. Sol had a shot blocked after running with the ball and displaying some very nifty footwork. The ball was now flowing freely between the HPR players and a cross from Luke found Felix's left boot and the back of the net.

During the second half Hillside managed a nice shot on goal but Evie performed a lovely save to turn it around the post and keep the clean sheet. Towards full time Aidan sent a long cross in from the right and found Max who beat the keeper to it to settle at 3 - 0.

Player of the match was Sol for some excellent running with the ball and thoughtful defensive play.

Next up on 3 March, two difficult teams - Taverham and Norwich Corinthians.