​There had been a lot of rain over the last week and the LYFC organising committee decision was correct and supported by all the U11s parents that playing football on a rain sodden Kirdford Rec for a Xmas party would not be a satisfying experience and the rec would take some damage – the hallowed REC ground and heartland of LYFC deserves better so sadly the postponement of the event was inevitable.\
 
However, with both U11 teams now free as games had been cancelled in advance it meant that any old excuse for parents to put on stupid fancy dress and join a friendly and non-touch safety first training session with our young cadets was the order of the day!!!! J
 
People donned costumes, football boots, trainers and in my stupid case walking boots to an attempt to have a slide around on the ground in a non-contact, safety first, training session. We were however, allowed to score goals. Although winning is not everything, and obviously we all teach our children to be inclusive and participate as a first priority winning is actually everything. So, game on! In a non-contact, safety first, training session of course!
 
Warming up was of the utmost importance and the boys were given a masterclass in this fine art led by Marco…
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The training session was lively. Lots of enthusiasm shown by lots of children and some argument that the referee was on our side of the training session being claimed unfair. There were moments of Brazilian brilliance. Kens pass to Vinny across the area for him to very gently pass past the keeper being a highlight. Vinnys deft back heel for Paul to gently lob the keeper another highlight. Louise was a revelation!!! Box-to-box energy, running and enthusiasm with also a nice first touch and good football intelligence. Someone is either watching SkySports or playing on FIFA20 in secret! I see a coach in the making right there!
 
Although a light arrival, Marcos “enthusiasm” – specifically on our own keeper Ken - nearly grabbed “player of the day”. Especially as he used a special bribe tactic by brining sweets and yummy mince pies for all!
 
Jody was incredibly generous with all his misses. Marco was impressive throughout – his first half “sweeper keeper” performance in particular very and would have Pep drawling. Andy was very solid with deft touches all non-touch, safety first training session.
 
Anyway, the first half of the non-touch, safety first training session finished 1-4 to the boys – goal details below. But all their goals were tap-ins and quite unimpressive if you ask me (as unbiased as Gary Neville commentating on a Man U game). However, in the second half the parents showed the stamina, fitness and physical ability that they have built up through the past year of 20-hours a week in the gym training as the U11s tired. Steve arrived, took part and also ate some pies :-)
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After a lot of pressure, the training session finished 5-5 with the last kick of the game – who would of thought? Fergie time defo in play was the false claim!
 
A non-touch, safety first pass to the goalkeeper event ensued with the parents just scoring more passes than their young opponents and everyone went home with lots more sweets, mince pies, mud on their costumes and smiles on their faces.

Quite rightly Paul called Louise as player of the day!!! Sportsmanship award went to Marcus!
 
Nice one all, I’m proud to be a part of this fabulous group!!!!!
 
Scorers –
 
Parents : Paul 4, Vinny 1 (goal of the day I would argue – Barcleona-esque – what a pass from Ken) Pauls lob is a good 2nd but I am a purist!
 
Kids: Sam 2, Charlie 1, Slyvester 1, Jody 1 (after 300,000 chances) J
 
Now for those videos you have all been waiting for. Good examples of how to take a penalty and how not too, LOL…..

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​A rather dank but pleasant and warm morning saw the Vipers turn out in full numbers to Milford. Our opponents were presented in their regular attire and the game between Inter Milan and Fulham was on!
 
The game started with George in goal and Cameron was place in central defence. After the activities of last week all were relieved to see a properly marked pitch, respect rope, a good youth referee that we have met before and a very well-organised set-up. Nice work Milford!
 
Organise,. was not how the Vipers started. It seemed that either jet lag from the reasonable journey or 17 pints in the Tich the night previous were in evidence. The Vipers were very sluggish right from the start and a neatly passing Milford team took advantage shortly. Four minutes in and they were 1-0 up as a corner was whipped in and an unsighted George had no chance.
 
Loxwood endeavored but no passes were making connection and the ball was in the air far too much. Swipes at high balls had Milford pressing on the boys as they put themselves in unnecessarily pressure situations. The work was industrious, Cody tracked really well and at left back has become very assured and knows how to hold that position. His deft touch is a delight to watch.
 
George was challenged in goal on a number of occasions but is a safe pair of hands – its takes something decent to beat him. The pressure was telling – Harry Smith was running at their defence and Jody worked hard to cause trouble up front. However, after 14 minutes the Vipers were caught cold and a quick break resulted in a 1-on-1 for their #6 who coolly converted to make it 2-0 Milford.
 
The game continued in the same vein. The ball in the air and possession being lost far too easily. Milford were constantly winners on the first and second ball. To be honest, the Vipers did well to hold this at 2-0 in the first half. Raff is more assured week by week and the talent of Cody is clear. Their tough tackling and refusal to give up a lost cause was keeping the black and blue stripes out.
 
Chances were thin on the ground at the other end. Jody was working hard but Charlie was almost pedestrian as he tried to take extra touches and not release that Kane-esque thunder that we know that he has in his in locker. “Shoot on sight” was a common cry from the crowd but it was forthcoming. The 1st half ended 0-2 and other than the odd speculative long range shot we had not troubled Milford.
 

Loxwood Cobras 4 Cranleigh Blues 3

The Cobras first home game since September was greeted with blue skies and a blanket of frost on the ground. Pitch conditions were going to prove tricky early on until the frost and hard ground had lifted.

Cobras were again missing Angus' Anderton' Leete, this week Angus deciding to try basketball at school, however after several trips to A&E and Xray, broken bones were finally diagnosed ! Ben G also missing chasing the funny shaped ball again, however Captain Mulder was welcomed back to marshall the troops. The home crowd numbers swelled by rumours of a celebrity within the camp.....70's brown sheepskin coat...a guest commentator perhaps???? Unfortunately not to be....just Marcus in a fashion throw back.

Cranleigh kicked off down the slope, and it was instantly apparent that a close eye was going to be needed to kept on their number 5, who was full of pace and trickery and a wicked left foot. Early exchanges saw Archie carrying on from last week with enterprising runs from midfield, Dan holding the ball up well up front alongside Chris. Cranleigh too were posing some stern questions of the Cobras back line but Kelsey, Fin and Marco held a nice high line and managed to keep the majority of Cranleigh efforts at long range with Willem making a couple of comfortable saves. The Cobras too were also asking questions in a game of end to end excitement, Sylvester breaking free down the left, outpacing the Cranleigh defensive line only to unluckily snatch his shot wide. Chris too going close after some good work by Luc.

The Cobras continued to press with a great work rate, which had the elderly referee straining to keep up with the pace of things. As the half ebbed away the Cobras had earned themselves a corner on the left hand side, one last chance before the break perhaps. Kelsey to take, arm raised, training ground set piece coming up ;). The ball was floated into the box nicely, the keeper failed to claim, Cobras bodies trying to stab the ball home, the ball was half cleared by Cranleigh only as far as Archie who was on hand to poke the ball goalwards again, only for it to deflect off an unlucky Cranleigh defender into the net. 1-0 Cobras. The half time whistle came soon after and the referee tried to catch his breath in between his team talk.

The second half began with Chris back between the sticks and Willem tasked with strengthening the middle of midfield. Dan lead the line up front well, with Luc breaking from midfield and an early through ball found Archie free still with plenty to do and being chased down by a couple of Cranleigh defenders. With the keeper advancing Archie showed once again a calm head and easily made it 2-0 Cobras.

Heads far from down back came Cranleigh with some neat exchange play down their left hand side found their danger man number 5 wide but still with plenty to do, he crossed the ball high over keeper Chris's head and in off the far post and through a hole in the netting causing confusion amongst the supporters. A quick VAR check was required but the recent Specsavers appointment meant the referee had made a correct decision (well he had to get one right was the call from the touchline!) 2-1 Cobras.

Soon after the restart and deep in Cranleigh territory Fin now in a more unfamiliar midfield role smartly caught Cranliegh in possession on the edge of their own box and a determined challenge saw him dispossess the defender and with the keeper still out of his goal expertly curled the ball around the keeper into the empty net 3-1 Cobras.

Undeterred back came Cranleigh, this was tense stuff for all concerned. Somehow another speculative cross/shot from wide on the left found its way into the far corner. 3-2 Cobras.

Cranleigh now definitely had their tails up and were back in the game, the Cobras had switched off temporarily, tackles not being won, too much time and space being given. Once again their danger man number 5, side stepping a couple of Cobras defenders and unleashing an unstoppable left foot shot past Chris in goal 3-3 eek ! .

Willem tried to rally the troops for one final onslaught to snatch a late winner, tackles were now being one and passes more accurate keeping valuable possession and managing the game better. With time running out a defnsive mix up in the Cranleigh back line had forced a corner. A tired Kelsey somehow managed to put the ball into the 'mix', with the ball breaking to Willem on the edge of the penalty box and with a quick look up he unleashed an unstoppable shot across the goal into the top right hand corner past the despairing dive of the goalkeeper. What a finnish ! 4-3Cobras.


With time nearly up anywhere would do. The final whistle came to an excellent game which could have gone either way.

Well done to Fin and Sylvester for their awards and top team effort again all round.