A much better morning welcomed us, as the later kick-off allowed the parents a well earned line-in (I’m sure)
This week in Matt’s absence Ted’s Dad, Iain, helped run the teams. His match report is below:
Iain's Team (Thomas, Jake, Max H, Ted, Jem, Lennon H, Max W, Harrison, Charlie P, Jason
Game 1
The Colts got off to a good start with Thomas and Ted defending well, whilst Lennon, Jason and Jem battled away in the mid-field and up front. The reward for the pressure came soon enough when Jem's corner was fumbled in to the goal by the Bourne End goalie. 1-0 at half time looked promising. Unfortunately the Colts returned the favour with a goalie fumble in the first minute of the 2nd half. But the recovery was swift as Lennon made a great pass into the box which Max W finished confidently. Thereafter, the frequently substitutions took their toll on Prestwood, with some loss of shape and discipline. First there was an own goal. Shortly after, a Prestwood clearance struck a Bourne End player in the face. Whilst the Prestwood players looked on concerned, a Bourne End team mate showed rather less empathy and latched on to the lose ball for a great finish. Then there was a handball whilst defending another attack, resulting in a penalty. The penalty was struck firmly, but Max H got his hands to it and made a great save and subsequent clearance. There was one more goal to come as Bourne End broke down the middle and made a good finish. 4-2 was a little disappointing, especially after the first half.

Game 2 was rather tighter. Jason again battled away up front and got on early shot of goal which was saved. At the other end, Harrison made a great save early on and was helped by his goal-posts as Bourne End tried to seize on the rebound. A few minutes later, Harrison made another good save but very sportingly admitted that the ball was behind the line as he gathered it. Early in the 2nd half with Ted now in goal, Prestwood conceded again as a lofted corner came in to the box and Ted was not quite able to push it over the bar. At 2-0 down, the Colts rallied hard with Max W, Jem, and Charlie P in particular linking up well to set up some good chances in front of goal, but alas were not able to get a convincing shot on target.

Max W was man of the match for his persistent concentration and determination, closing down opposition players quickly whenever they had the ball.

Game 3 (Charlie, Ted, Jake, Lennon P, Rori, Jem + helped by Harry)
There was to be some joy in the day for those that stayed for a third game. Some changes of personnel between the squads allowed Jem and Charlie to link up. Harry (helping out in goal) sent a ball out wide, which Jem controlled and turned on, before making a beautiful curving pass to Charlie at the top of the penalty area for a superb finish. Goal of the day! Lennon then gave a great show of how to pressure the opposition. He ran forward as Bourne End's took a goal-kick, and as they tried to pass their way out off trouble, Lennon won possession and made a great strike to move the score on to 2-0. There was more of the same a few minutes later after the Bourne End goalie made a save and put the ball down on the floor. Charlie quickly challenged and dispossessed the goalie, again making no mistake with the finish. Ted and Jake defended confidently at the back again, and without the need for substitutions there was rather better shape then in the previous two games. One further goal came in the 2nd half, after Rori took a long range shot catching the Bourne End goalie out of position. 4-0 win. Well done team.

Mark’s Team (Rori, Freddie, Ben, Noah, Zack, Oscar, Charlie S, Will, Lennon P, Morgan)

In the first game Prestwood started on the front foot, with Zack, Lennon and Charlie chasing down the ball and putting pressure on Bourne End. With Noah in goal and Will and Freddie looking very solid at the back it allowed the midfield to press high up the pitch, which resulted in a number of loose passes by the opposition that lead to a number of chances before Charlie tucked one away with a clinics finish. Lennon quickly doubled the lead with a great shot from the edge of the box, again following some pressure from the forwards and midfield. Bourne End pulled one back with an excellently struck free-kick that was too powerful for Noah to stop despite a good effort. In the second half, Oscar and Noah’s fresh legs helped keep the pressure on Bourne End and Oscar got his reward with a goal following a bit of a scramble. Bourne End got a second but Prestwood could have had another 2 or 3 following some great play but unfortunately failed to capitalise.

The second game was much the same as the first with Prestwood’s intensity meaning most of the game was played in the Bourne End half. With goals from Noah and Lennon, following some excellent corners from Zack, Prestwood once again looked comfortable, but despite some heroic defending, from Ben, Will and Freddie, Bourne End got a goal back and then equalised through a Freddie own goal, as he tried to clear the ball. If Prestwood were a bit more clinical and had a bit more luck, they could have easily won by 2 or 3 clear goals.

Man of the Match - Freddie. Despite the own goal (We’ve all scored them), Freddie had a good game, and showed he had been listening at training as he put into practice all the things we have asked the players to do.

With the opportunity of an extra game, the players seemed to lose all inhibitions, and played football the way we wanted them to all along. Unfortunately as I was having to referee I can’t remember who scored (I’m sure I’ll get told at training!) but all the goals came from either good team work playing from the back or pressing the players and getting the ball back quickly. As I say if we get the ball they can’t score!!
Well done all on some great performances, hopefully the players and the parents can see the improvements, I know I can.