Game 1 – Loxwood Whites 2 Fernhurst 1.
 
With no game for the Loxwood Blacks, Coach Paul took on ref duty and made an immediate impact with a retake of the kick-off. I can only assume the TV cameras weren’t ready.
 
The game started with some decent Loxwood play, Angus in particular spreading the ball Hoddle-esque to right hand side out to Cosmo on the wing. A lot of good pressure ensued. Jodi was on fire from the start and bursting from midfield hit a blistering shot that the opposing keeper couldn’t hold. 1-0 Loxwood.
 
It then got better, last month I saw Barcleona, last month I saw Messi, this month I saw Big Ben. He nutmegs someone, slots it through, Jodi runs onto it and blasts it into the top corner, its 2-0 and the tens (maybe 2 tens) of fans go wild. Fernhurst re-group, Loxwood back off and pressure from the left and a really well executed shot from a tight angle makes it 2-1.
 
The number 3 and number 8 from Fernhurst are proving to be great players and maintain their quality throughout the morning – Chris has to be very assured in goal and is proving to be a safe pair of hands.
 
Loxwood progress towards the opponents area and a deliberate foul brings a player down. The Loxwood wives (Tessa) scream “penalty!”. Instruction is provided to them explaining that the foul has to be in the area. VAR declares it was only 6 feet away and a free kick is given. Nice chip from Jodi and Big Ben just misses with his head.
 
Jodi comes off for a well deserved break, Cosmo is on and tracking black with huge effort. Rafferty is assured. The boys see it out. 2-1 for Q1.
 
Game 2 – Loxwood Whites 0 Fernhurst 2
 
The mood changes, right from the start. Fernhurst loaded up with 17 packets of Haribos are up for this. They charge at Loxwood and the Whites decide that they can no longer tackle. The useful #8 again cutting through the Whites defence. The inevitable happens and a break from midfield has #8 on it – BAM! 0-1.
 
Loxwood respond, a lovely 1-2-1 between Big Ben and Smiley Ben but no-one on the end of it. Fernhurst win a free-kick, it flashes across the face of goal. The ref pulls back a goal kick – my word this guy is pedantic – where did we get him from? Oh yeah, he is Coach Paul! Luc is persistent in the middle of the field but Loxwood are guilty of not chasing back and results in a great save from Marco being required.
 
It’s end to end – literally 3 chances in a row and some route one kicking being new feature of U10s play. Its another decent break from midfield. Goalkeeper Marco does get his hand to it but its a stinging shot from the number 3 and the ball sails past him making it 0-2.
 
Coach Andy goes Mourinho mode – a triple substitution. A result of a change of tactics and some people complaining “its my turn!!!!” :-) Fair enough! Change of plan!
 
Jodi continues his great play, a nice turn on the ball but cannot get his shot in. Marco saves another on the near post. Jodi brings a great save from the keeper and he is winded. A lengthy stoppage. The game ends 0-2

Game 3 – Loxwood Whites 0 Fernhurst 0
 
The pressure is on. 2-0 up, 2-3 down and its tense. No heads have dropped. Fernhurst are doing fantastic. With limited players legs are tired. The big pitch is wearing on 6 a side. The scoreline is wearing on the crowd! Game 3 is as tight as it gets.
 
The Fernhurst keeper does well. Cosmo slots through to Jodi but is denied. In an obvious attempt to remove the pressure the Loxwood goal blows over. Chris inbetween the sticks is unfazed as he picks it back up – you wouldn't get this level of excitement at the Ethiad! Jodi gets away with an obvious hand ball but a last ditch tackle from Fernhurst dispossess him – probably fair! There is good pressure from both sides but it finishes 0-0 and into the final quarter with the score poised at 2-3!
 
Game 4 – Loxwood Whites 1 Fernhurst 0
 
.. and so the final quarter began with much pressure on the whites who after a 2-0 result early on found themselves in a familiar, yet frustrating position 3-2 down overall
 
Marco returned to goal with Angus in defence with Big Ben up front and solid midfield strength with Smiley Ben, Cosmo and Raf
 
There was pace and determination from the get go with Angus not missing a trick and preventing pretty much all advances and pressure from their determined no. 8 (who was ridiculously pacey and clearly had eaten the same growth hormones for breakfast as the rest of the team..)
 
An immediate attempt from a BB and Cosmo duo sadly didn’t give us our equaliser …
 
Another whack from Angus gave BB another chance but an unlucky freak gust of wind caused his shot on goal to go a little over (likely a backdraft caused by their giant goalie moving forwards and filling the space with his massive hands… [we all spotted him drop his car keys though]
 
then seconds later, it’s Smiley B… he’s in the right place at the right time but with Fernhurst literally blocking out the sun, he had nowhere to go and couldn’t convert it to give us our equalizer… the pressure was unbelievable  - there were many assistant coaches with Andy L reffing and our lads weren’t short of encouragement!..
 
then what’s this, Loxwood are determined despite more pressure from Fernhurst who are using every trick in the book to fill the pitch – a stunning run for Cosmo and Ben provided the whites with another chance, but we were sniped again by the ever present Fernhurst no. 8
 
but then a massive run from Fernhurst (probably as they knew it was opening time soon) and they advanced – could it all be over – an amazing duo led a charge but Marco intercepted and we didn’t concede
 
a quick sub sees Jody return to put some pressure in midfield with Chris– the pace goes up another gear with an immediate close call but the belting Jody and BB partnership couldn’t quite close the gap for Jody to convert yet another shot…
 
arrrghh we just cant finish down again …no one wants this… it’s nail biting  - the Fernhurst supporters are looking nervous and clearly planning a swift exit with some power glares from Steve S landing well…. We weren’t going down without a fight ! Step-in Coach Andy, had some agonising sub decisions with a big squad of 10 but only 6 on pitch…
 
we’re into the last few minutes.. it’s literally agonising – the lads want it so badly !!
 
Luc gives Angus some relief in defence and Willem comes on for Raf… its tense and this is football on high octane – the sense of want and regret for some earlier mistakes is evident in the faces of our brave whites… they are NOT going down today…
 
An advance by Fernhurst is intercepted by a run forward by defender Luc who belts it long to find jody…. Jody runs up times it , pauses and belts it into the corner past Giant Haystacks in goal to equalise overall and finish the quarter 1-0
 
Well done guys !
 
Perhaps not the win we needed but wow what a fight!
 
Both teams shake on it and cheer – Steve S releases the power stare on the Fernhurst end and our visitors are safe to leave…
 
Andy brings the lads in for a talk.. (this part I am afraid there was no press allowed)
 
Overall Loxwood Whites 3 – Fernhurst 3
 
A big thank you to Fernhurst. Agreed to the re-arranged game with limited players. All games played by both teams in the right spirit! Excellent morning!
 
Our passes allowed once again to see Angus take the player of the match and give his piece to Camera…….

​Great to have a training session following back to back fixtures. We focussed on some technical areas that needed strengthening and all played well. Well done to Cam for a shocking choice of football top and Sam for getting player of the week with some great football and amazing goals!!!!!


Another great week of local fun football :-) 

​Next week the Blacks are at home to Cranleigh and the Whites are away to Milford. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

 1st Quarter - Loxwood Blacks 1 Ewhurst Foxes 0 
 
When the long-awaited kick off came at 10:38, they piled on pressure right from the start.
 
Some great defending from the back line of Sam and Harry J and some nice turns and skills from our attacking partnership consisting of Harry S and Oscar, forced Ewhurst’s defense to switch on. Our midfield smashed some dangerous long balls up to the Ewhurst box which resulted in a counter attack leading to a long string of David Beckham like corners from the opposing Number 15 causing our defense to scramble to get the ball away which we eventually did leading to a long span of play resembling Barcelona forced a good save from the keeper but Loxwood were starting to get back into the game.
 
After a nice passing move found Charlie he poked it through to Oscar who curled it through the Ewhurst keeper’s hands and into the bottom left corner to make it 1:0!
 
After the Loxwood goal Ewhurst were looking very dangerous on the counter attack and started to look switched on once more. More great play from us found Charlie who forced another save from the impressive opposition goalkeeper, he found Number 15 on the counter attack who ran through our tired defense and fired the ball at the crossbar to end the first quarter.
 
2nd Quarter: Loxwood Blacks 1 Albury Foxes 1
 
Loxwood made a double change bringing on Chris and Ben in defense to maintain the lead, we pressed Ewhurst right from the start with some close chances. “It’s not dancing football!” came shouts from the bench and they proved them wrong by dancing straight through our backline and walloped it into the bottom left corner to make it 0:1 in the quarter.
 
Ben and Chris were ever present at the back sending great balls up to the attack and some more Ewhurst mistakes let us break through and get some more shots off.
 
Chris found Charlie who sprinted down three quarters of the pitch, beating defenders for pace and skill and hammering the ball home into the top left corner with a great finish from an angle to make it 1:1 in the quarter.
 
After his goal, some more lovely skill from Charlie left the defenders for dead and he crossed it for Harry S, his shot forcing a block from a Ewhurst defender.
 
The second quarter ended with Ewhurst shooting and causing Harry J to make an equally good save in goal, Ewhurst took another David Beckham–esque corner, though the header was caught by Harry finishing the 2nd quarter!
​

Game 1 – Albury Eagles 0 Loxwood Blacks 1
Sebby went in goal and Albury came out strong. However right from the start the Loxwood boys demonstrated some lovely one touch passing that sweeping the ball across the pitch and creating enough pressure to create the first corner. Some good pressing by Cameron created uncertainty within the opposition and dispossessed the Eagles player to be knocked through to Oscar who skillfully poked the ball past the keeper – 1-0! Albury had a good chance and the ball flashed past our goal however Sebby was soon proving himself as more than adequate and it appears that the Blacks have found themselves a new keeper! Harry Smith had a decent chance at the other end with a header and Harry J did an admirable job sweeping everything up in defence – it was like Row Z Rusedski had returned! The boys continued to hold tight for the 1-0 result.
 
Game 2 – Albury Eagles 0 Loxwood Blacks 3
Momentum continued into the second game as Loxwood ascerted themselves. We have seen this before though and the chances have not been converted. That wasn’t to be the story today! William set the tone with some hard tackling in the middle of the field from the off. It wasn’t long before Charlie worked some magic on the right wing and crossed for Harry Smith to flash the ball home for 1-0. William defended well and then broke from midfield in what is becoming his trademark, the Eagles defender rapelled him valiantly but William kept going to score the second of this quarter – 2-0! Harry J was never threatened in goal and Sebby was a brick wall in front of him defence – showing a real talent for defending. Sam remained his reliable self and pushed the ball to Cameron in midfield who played a lovely pass to Harry with the outside of his foot. Harry Smith held the ball up and pushed it back to Cameron who slotted it home for 3-0!
 
Game 3 – Albury Eagles 0 Loxwood Blacks 0
In a stunning move by coach Paul a change of tactics to protect the lead was deployed. Augero (Cameron) and Kane (Charlie) were moved into defence to become Kompany and Vertonghen! With Sebby placed in goal Paul was obviously following in the footsteps of his mentor Jose Mourinhno in a ploy to “park the bus”. It worked! Albury played well and had most of the pressure in the passage of play. They had a few corners and Sebby was brave diving for the ball. At the other end Harry J’s touch was just a little heavy. He did force a save from the keeper that was pushed onto the post. The game ended with Charlie sliding into the back of the goal in an attempt to keep the ball out – demonstrating the sort of determination that the boys were showing this particular morning.
 
Game 4 – Albury Eagles 1 Loxwood Blacks 2
The great passing play continued. Early in this quarter Cameron once again he really can pick a pass and slotted a through ball that flat footed everyone except for Charlie Kane who ran straight onto it and buried it into the bottom corner for 1-0. For the second once again Cameron and Charlie worked together – a shot by Cameron, a header by Charlie pushed back out for Cameron to slot home for 2-0. Albury however weren’t done and continued to press, they had useful players – the number 40 in particular catching the eye. They got their just deserved in the end. With Loxwood Blacks playing an attacking high line they got caught and Harry J could do nothing as the Wagles advanced and passed around him to allow the ball to be slotted into the open net for 2-1. The game remained at this scoreline. Notables included a good further save by Harry J, a route 1 hoof from Sebby setting Charlie up for a half volley and William placing a good cross for Cam to just miss.
 
All in all this was an excellent performance by every single player on the field. I personally have never seen them the boys play so cohesively, and it was that day when it all just came together in all departments. Sebby was called out in particular as the man of the morning for his excellent, no-nonsense performances in goal and defence. Well done everyone!
 
Match interviews from Harry J and Sebby below…..

Q1. A beautifully sunny September morning greeted us at Kirdford rec this morning for the Loxwood Whites' first home game of the season. A shortage of numbers meant that our brave lads would be playing without any substitutes. The Whites,  however, made a perfect start with a probing run from Jody. Having broken through the lines he launched a long range speculative shot to test the keeper early on. Fortunately for Loxwood the Albury keeper had yet to switch on and fumbled it into the back of the net.  A great period of Loxwood pressure followed as they searched for a second. Good footwork from Angus, Marco and Ben in particular. Albury fought back with a couple of clear chances going wide. The game continued with both sides looking strong in attack and vulnerable in defence. Two long shots from Ben were close to the target and one forcing a good save from the Falcons' keeper.  Great play from Albury just wide. As the quarter drew to a close, Albury stepped up their game again and a precise through ball enabled the Albury striker to equalise. A final push from loxwood linking together some good passes allowed their midfielder, Ben, a dangerous shot from distance that rattled the crossbar. However the quarter ended all square. 1-1.

Q2. As with their season opener, Loxwood returned to the pitch in the second quarter re-energised. Great chances were created for Ben, Jody, Luc and Marco, but the goal they were looking for eluded them. A brilliant run from winger Luc while some concerted efforts in defence from Kelsey and Angus and a great performance between the posts from Chris, were followed by a great solo effort from Jody to gift Loxwood the lead at the close of the quarter.  2-1

Q3. Albury came out in the second half with a long spell of clever attacking play, with one effort driven agonisingly onto the post. The Falcons' fortunes took a turn for the worse,  though, when Jody buried a cracking shot into the corner of the Albury goal to put loxwood two up and earn himself the match ball with a well earned hat trick. Undeterred,  Albury came forward and immediately pulled one back with a lucky deflection to wrong-foot Marco who had taken over goal keeping duties from Chris. Some great ball control from Kelsey and Luc then released Jody down the wing in a stunning move. Jody then whipped the ball in to Ben and Chris waiting in the box. However Albury had the better of the ensuing scramble thanks to some brave keeping and Albury escaped again. Marco showed some great confidence in goal but was unable to repel the Albury equalizer. A final push from the Falcons deflecting the ball down onto the goal line almost put them into the lead, but the goal line tech said no.  3-3

Q4. With albury having fought back from 3-1 down, a crucial team talk was needed for caretaker coach, Andy. The Loxwood boys, newly fired up, created some great chances after Marco showed good strength in goal shortly after the restart. Albury then went ahead following some good link-up play. More chances followed, a great move from Ben and Luc giving Jody a great chance on goal. Loxwood continued to step up through the gears and equalised with a stunning team goal involving almost every loxwood player, finished with great run from Ben and a confident shot from Jody. As the clock ran down, it looked set to finish as a draw, a fair result for two well matched teams. Albury were here to spoil the Loxwood party, though, and finally pulled into the lead with another great move just minutes from the end. Loxwood came forward again and again in the dying minutes. As the clock turned red, a long throw from Ben allowed one final chance from Jody, but it was expertly stopped by the Falcons' keeper.  Agonisingly, the game ended in defeat for the whites, despite their most convincing performance in some time. 

Loxwood Whites 4-5 Albury Falcons

Our player of the match went to Jody 'four goals' Smith, for a repeat performance and confidence on goal. Well done to Jody and well played to all.