​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.
 

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A crisp sunny morning met the 8 Vipers who made the Baku-esque journey to the remote outskirts of Gatwick. The ground was very underfoot was heavy and the players started to work out in the grass that on Harry S and William was almost waist height. Both of these items would influence the game but not as much as the Vipers being a man down against a physically strong and well-equipped Charlwood side who played with their full compliment.
 
The Loxwood army, all 5.5 of us if you include Coach Paul and Emily Smith, lined up along the side in expectation. At this point John was pulled aside for linesman duty which seemed a sensible decision for a sensible chap until Paul started to explain to him what side and half of the pitch he needed to run and also how the offside rule works!!
 
The game started strongly and brightly for the Vipers. Raff was assured in the middle of defence, Williams work rate was good and he looked like his old self again.  Both Charlie and Harry were troubling the Charlwood defence and goalkeeper with long range attempts as well as very decent pressing. In amongst all of this a warning shot was fired (literally) as George in goal repelled their dangerous #99 from the left wing.
 
A Charlwood corner bought a wicked shot which George bravely repelled with his face, Harry continued to be a menace and Sebby cleared a corner intelligently. From that corner Oscar head the ball clear and although it was obvious the numbers were making this an uphill battle the boys were holding their own.
 
A good cross from Charlie who continued to work industriously was just missed by an inbound Harry in the middle. Harry had a 1:1 and William supporting from midfield also had an effort denied. Oscar had another chance and Sam just missed the deflection. At this point Loxwood had definitely had the better of the chances. It was however at this point that the tide changed.
 
Charlwood found new life and had a multitude of chances in quick sucession. #15 went 1:1 and George saved with his feet, #21 had a shot just over, #99 again was 1:1 against George who very bravely dived at his feet.
 
Finally, it was a corner which undid the lads. Viciously flicked in and using the pace it was simply deflected into the corner in the 18th minute. A neat goal. Could the boys (now getting tired after all the effort) get to at least half-time at just 1-0 to re-group?
 
Unfortunately not… and was has become a feature some quick fire goals were conceded. Only two minutes later the useful #99 score from close range – there had however already been two chances between the two goals.
 
The Vipers continued to try and face the deficit. The sun had gone in and it had turned cold. The cold breeze reflecting the mood. At 23 mins #99 pushed it across the goal for the #14 to skillfully backheel into the net.
 
The dispirited Vipers did muster another chance as their keeper nearly made a crucial error as the ball bobbed between his legs and Harry hunted it down to win a corner. Unfortunately William had turned into Christian Erikson and was unable to deliver with his normal quality as the ball hit the first defender.
 
Two more chances right at the end of the half very quickly together and the last kick of the half enabled the #14 to score another after rounding George who really did not deserve to be 4-0 down at this point.
 
Paul was incredibly sympathetic in his half-time talk. The boys had worked hard and the conditions and outnumbering was not helping them at all. 

​The second half started as the first half ended. Dominant pressure from Charlwood. A goal was scored right at the start of the half by number #17 to make it 5-0 and put the game out of reach for certain. The question now was “how many will this be?”. They hit the post two further times before Loxwood had their first attack however with tiring legs Sebby and Oscar were struggling with positioning and being caught offside was a consistent theme of the half. Sam and William were now struggling with the pace and shape and positioning was started to become disjointed in multiple areas.
 
The boys became guilty of not knocking the ball into space but instead trying to dribble around everyone. This had their tired legs caught no matter what flashes of skill they demonstrated. “Triangles and Knocking the ball into space” was the cry from the coach and supporters.
 
At some point in the half their keeper resorted to wearing a jumper. Which was indicative of how this game was going.
 
At 38 mins a planned goalkeeping change occurred which had been pre-agreed on Georges instruction once he had decided he had enough. And quite frankly, I don’t blame him. Although William put his hand up with the physical power of this side through the middle it seemed more sensible to put Charlie in goal who hadn’t played this position for some time. What a revelation.! I could write another 3 pages on the number of one to one saves, diving saves and tips around the post that he made – my book actually says “I have lost count”. The opposing fans applauded and shouted their approval. I couldn’t be prouder!!!
 
This really had turned into shooting practice and in the end he was only undone by a deflection in the 55th minute off a defenders head. 6-0.

​Everything was against us now. Our own linesman (to the hilarity of the Charlwood fans) missed an offside against us and even the Vulture looking birds in the trees were ominous. Throughout the boys toiled. They had multiple attempts in spots, George adapted to midfield well and Raff remained composed. The final 5-minutes were a flurry. A Loxwood corner! A free kick the other way. Two more Charlwood chances denied!! The Smiths offside.
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George and Charlie jointly won the player of the day. It’s almost perverse for the two keepers to pick up this award in a 6-0 defeat but their heroics at times kept the score down to what could have easily been doubled. Video interview below..
 
I am in danger of repeating myself, but everything was against the boys today. 9vs8, the heavy pitch with long grass, jet lag from the journey.
 
Personally I am very proud of the attitude. This will turn around. BELIEVE!!!!!!
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Whilst London is beset with two huge political campaigns of Brexit and Extinction Rebellion, a campaign broke out at Great Common - the "Bring Back Vinny" campaign!!!!

2nd Half  
Vipers now playing uphill had a reasonable start. Jody ran through the midfield Messi-like, jinking as he raced into the goal area shoulder to shoulder with two defenders...he shot on the run...crowd held their breathe...their GK helpless...but the ball slammed into the goal post...it could have been 3.0!!! 1 min later, ball at the other end, Dorks somehow get the ball into our net... 2-1...that’s football for you...the agony and the ecstasy. Vipers try & regroup, the possession now equal between the two teams. Dorks finding more confidence going forward, slipping the ball to each other more easily, the Vipers perhaps now a tad slower and not now getting the second ball after the tackle as they did in the 1st H.
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Individually we were still good, Harry J. made a brilliant sweeping tackle as their striker powered towards the goal, Charlie fired just wide and another great William corner nearly had a resulting tap-in at the post ...however...however...a powerful in-swinging corner from the Dorks and rats!...it’s now 2-2!!

Keenly contested, the match swung back and forth from there and Vipers now with a 2nd wind (or was that Steve... )
were pushing hard again but the whistle blew and a honourable draw was the outcome. However truly the best display by Vipers to date and real development over the past few weeks. Roll on the Vipers!
 
Player of the match: George – our new brilliant signing as our goal keeper – well done George!

And NOW...... for those all important post match interviews. I do have some sympathy with the issues around controlling the crowd. Where is "Vinny the Enforcer" when required....
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Author Coach Andy

​A damp morning but warm and comfortable met the Loxwood U11 Vipers as they arrived at the “Onslow bowl” with its banked far side stadia. Vinny was installed as “chief poo-picker” to go alongside his linesman role and after a quick warm-up the boys were ready to go.
 
The 1st half started at a fast pace with Loxwood having good pressure, the first corner met by Harry J. A strong headed clearance by Onslow led to a quick and useful break but in a great show of end to end football Harry J was on standby to manage it out from the back.
 
Kelsey, was assured in defence, showing the good positional defending continued from our first game but some did have their hearts in their mouths as he attempted a little bit of “Arsenal ticky tack” playing across the defence line.
 
Sebby was called into action in what was the first close attempt of the game as he tipped an Onslow shot onto the post. A sign of things to come as a rough 10 minutes ensued for the Vipers. A rocket from their #4 from outside of the area gave Sebby no chance as the defence turned their backs and confidence was temporarily lost.  Before the 2nd goal Onslow had a notable overhead chance but a swarm of defending by Finn and Silvester smuggled the ball away. Then the second game came. A victim again of a quick break as Onslow hit a decent shot, that was deflected, and made its way inside the post.
 
At this point the pressing game was missing and not enough vocal noise on the pitch – there was certainly enough off of it from the parents though J
 
Charlie was fouled outside of the area and although it could have been inside no-one was rowing with Mike Dean who had turned up to ref this one. As he won the free-kick he decided to take it, unfortunately he didn’t get it back down quick enough and it sailed over the bar.
 
Some fortune for Onslow; a speculative shot bobbled through the defence and a little confused past the keeper as well – Onslow led 0-3.
 
William as always was industrious in midfield with many attempted mazy runs and good link up play bringing it out of defence and through the midfield.
 
Harry J ended the half with what can only be described as a Cryuff-esque turn but no clear-cut chances were created and the lads went in 0-3 down.

​Harry J went in goal at the start of the 2nd half and Loxwood started very strongly. The first Loxwood goal game from a Charlie shot deflected by Jodie. The goal adjudication board are still determining now who to award it to. At 1-3 was the come back on?
 
Yes It was! For 90 seconds. The goal spurred Onslow on and with Loxwood not putting a foot in the ball was easily crossed past our keeper for a simple tap-in for Onslow. This was concerning, still some time to go and this might be a rout should heads go down.
 
But they didn’t!!! Cody demonstrated nice touches and flicks all through the game and even decided to try a few keepy-ups during this period. You do that at 4-1 up!!! Not 1-4 down!!!
 
Archie pressured in midfield with Silvester and decent Loxwood pressure bought another free-kick from Mr.Dean (who was looking to ensure we noticed him a LOT!) which Finn took but sailed past the fast post and all Loxwood players. We need a free kick taker was the cry! Where would he come from?
 
The game had settled into a pattern. The highlights being a floating cross that Onslow didn’t manage to convert, Raff playing like Beckanbaeur at times, Cody and Jody both playing nice through balls that neither Charlie or Jody could quite get on the end of and the ref deciding that he hadn’t stopped the game enough.
 
Raff played a beautiful cross from left to right but again the front line where waiting for that perfect clear shot as Onslow had numbers back and they should probably be releasing a shot a bit quicker.
 
Then the highlight of the morning. Loxwood received a free-kick on the edge of the area. The Onslow line-up was well positioned. Jody took a Ronaldo-esque stance behind the ball. Surely a deft little cross onto a Loxwood head. Surely he’s not going to try and curl it over the wall. Surely not…..
​

GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!
 
The game had a scrappy finish. William hit a couple of beautiful corners (Christian Erikson could do with a lesson from William) but Onslow were well organized at the back. Harry J was unconcerned in goal and Sam had a great effort that their keeper denied.
 
Vinny had an offside denied with the Onslow – but even that man mountain wasn’t arguing with Mike Dean! The ball came out of play and landed on the cricket net and Jon demonstrated the worst go of Pinata that any of us had seen for sometime. The last chance (and kick of the game) was an Onslow one and they hit the bar.
 
In summary, it was respectable with Onslow taking their chances mainly in quick-fire in the 1st half. More communication, keeping up with the pressing and taking shots earlier was certainly the crowds instruction of the day. What couldn’t be faulted was the spirit and effort. All the boys showed great and determination and never let their heads go down.
 
There could only be one man of the match from the Loxwood side – congratulations Jody Smith!
 
Post-match interview provided by the chief poo picker of the day!

Saturday morning broke and thankfully the monsoon rains had finally subsided in time for the Cobras trip to St Paul's in Dorking. Boosted by the return of the midfield  'General' Ben G and the previous weeks promising performance the Cobras arrived full of self belief.
 
Right from the off the Cobras were on the front foot taking the game to the Panthers, with the 'Smith' boys proving a constant menace with their high pressing and intelligent running both on and off the ball. Kelsey, Marco and Angus looking assured and holding a tight line at the back, Ben pulling the strings in midfield and providing some much needed steel.
 
With ten minutes on the clock the Smith boys combined sublimely with some neat interplay with Harry breaking free in the penalty box and finishing with precision, 1-0 Cobras. It could have been so much better for the Cobras with a Ben G 'thunderbolt' rattling the Panthers crossbar soon after. This seemed to stir the opposition into life and they finally got themselves back into the game and started to ask questions of the Cobras. Only some excellent work in the midfield from Luc & Willem and Marco at the back kept the Panthers at bay. It was only a matter of time and the Panthers finally got their just rewards after some indecision at the back by the Cobras 1-1. 
 
The second half started at a frantic pace with Chris, Fin and Ben all providing the ammunition for the Smith boys up front with with Oscar going close on several occasions. Oscar's perseverance was to pay off as he managed to wriggle free in the box and made it 2-1 with a neat near post finish. Bravely struggling with illness Angus finally made way for Marco causing a re-organisation at the back with Fin on the right and Marco on the left, both unfamiliar positions for them both but they showed great determination and grit to keep the Panthers at bay.
 
A Panthers substitution proved pivotal to the game with a Dorking giant of a forward proving a real handful for the Cobras back line. Only a string of excellent saves from Willem in goal and  last ditch tackles by Fin, Kelsey & Marco preserved the lead. Unfortunately it was not to be as two quick goals in a five minute period all involving the recently arrived Panther sub turned the game on its head.
 
With the clock ticking the Cobras desperately tried to engineer the equaliser they so deserved with Chris,Ben and Luc all searching for the ever industrious Smith Boys to try and chisel out one last chance to save the game, the Cobras so deserved.
 
Unfortunately it was not to be, another 3-2 defeat. This was cruel on the Cobras who all individually had given their all, playing some lovely attacking football and showing great team work and determination. Both Oscar and Marco were rewarded for their excellent performances receiving the weekly awards.

​A sun glazed Great Common met the U11 Vipers for their first game of the season – we will look back longingly on this weather on the dark January cold mornings! New paint delivered and lines remarked (thanks Marco) and a decent sized crowd assembled – at least 20 J
 
The boys were entertaining Milford and handshakes took place before the game. Milford dressed as Inter Milan for intimidation purposes I guess and Loxwood dressed as, errr… Fulham.
 
The game started very sluggish with both sets of teams looking out of sorts. Jody however bucked the trend and held the line well to have a good initial break. Harry J started in goal which is a position that he always looks strong and confident playing – and kept Milford at bay initially with a strong one-handed save.
 
On the far-left Cody showed a very deft touch and some nice touches and turns as he controlled the ball well when receiving possession. Seb+Cam looked assured as a central defence pairing marshalling the area well.
 
Cameron drove the ball out of defence well with a strong forward run and the pass was out to Jody who unfortunately was pushed wide and unable to whip it back in quickly enough. The Loxwood flaw in the first half though was exploited quickly within a 2-minute window when 2 goals were succeeded in quick succession. The number 22 (there were two of them, I think it was the blond one!) exploited the space between the midfield and the defence lines and split the central defence pairing in half to score – a well taken goal.

​Pressure was exerted again straight from the kick-off, and with the boys backing off, Milfords #9 was able to shoot from range and the ball managed to wiggle its way through Harry Js legs to make it 0-2.
 
Sam came on for Cody with a slight change in tactics to use the young Maldini as extra cover for defence. However, it was his backing off that led the 3rd goal for Milford as Harry J was caught in no mans land and the ball sneaked past him.
 
There was no real pattern to the end of the 1st half as Raff was valiant in closing down an attack, Barney thwarted a 1:1 and Jody had a wide attempt that looped past the far post.
 
The 1sthalf finished at 0-3 and a team talk was required.
 
The 2nd half started brightly. Sam was nobbled off the ball unfairly and a free kick provided. In the aftermath of this lobbed ball Charlie had some bad luck as his rebounded shot hit the outside of the post. You felt it just wasn’t going to be the Vipers Day.
 
The 4th Milford goal came as Barney turned his back and being caught in the wrong direction provided a clear line of sight. The ball was poked past Sebby (who had replaced Harry J in goal for the 2nd half).
 
A break in the Milford dominance and ray of sunshine was provided as Cameron continued to work tirelessly and provided the ball to Samuel who scored with assurance. A goal on his debut!!!! Was the recovery on?
 
Errrr… No, it wasn’t
 
The team invited pressure in the 2nd half and when they did have a chance in the opponents final 3rd turned into Arsenal and tried to pass the ball into the net. Charlie was particularly guilty in this and just not “having a go” as is father and author of this report bellowed from the touchline.

​Tactics were amended, Cam went upfront.
 
The game was settling into a rhythm. Good pressure from Milford, chances on the break for Loxwood. Cameron injected a lease of life into the front line and was caught just offside as he poked the goal into the net – where is VAR when you most need it?
 
A strong Milford attack was repelled by William, who had worked tirelessly all game, but possession was lost and the final blow was then dealt as a long range effort looped towards Sebby who parried it into his own goal.
 
The boys had a few more chances but not enough quick-fire shooting was occurring. Most notable efforts were Cam just missing a rebound, a looping shot from Cam going past the post and Charlie over the bar when the ball came quickly to him at short range.
 
The game finished as a 1-5 defeat. A victory deserved by Milford but probably on balance not by this score line. They simply took their chances extremely well and we didn’t trouble their well organised defence enough.
 
Most encouraging though was the enthusiasm and effort. 0-3 down at half-time and a lot of boys would throw in the towel – but not our lot!. They toiled, worked hard and encouraged one another and each one had a smile on their faces.
                                                                                          
Samuel finished as Loxwood man of the match and his post-match interview with Harry J is below……

A bright sunny morning met the Cobras as they arrived at their new venue, Great Common,  with a larger team size (9x9), larger pitches, longer length matches (30-mins each way) and the offside rule enforced for the first time in a competitive match. A couple of weeks of training had all parents chomping at the finger nails as we waited to see how the season would start for our U11s. Our visiting team who were gleaming in their Norwich-esque attire were the Dorkonians (who I assume were not from the back end of deepest and darkest Anglia but rather from Dorking about 10 miles down the road!).
 
The game started with the 19/20 prioritised focus of the boys learning to properly play in position. Chris was in goal, a back 3 of Kelsey, Marco, Angus. Luc, Willem and Finlay in midfield with our very own S&S (not Shearer and Sheringham) – Smith & Smith holding the front line.
 
Our opponents started brightly and hit the outside of the post early on however in what was feature of the entire game Kelsey played a very intelligent positional game and with some tough tackling ensured that Dorkonian chances were limited.
 
The game had hardly settled into a pattern however when what also became a first half feature Oscar led the line extremely well and positioning himself on the halfway line managing to beat the offside trap. A charging run from the halfway line resulted in the keeper coming out to meet it and Oscar coolly scooped the ball over for a 1-0 lead within 6 minutes. Twice more this type of attack arose but the Dorking keeper did well to keep the score maintained saving twice in 1-on-1 situations.
 
A quick substitution just before the 14-min mark saw Sam/Dan come on for Luc/Willem and some relief for them from the beating sun. In the next attack Marco swung the ball in the right and in a lovely piece of skill Harry S switched feet and very smartly chipped the ball over the keeper with the outside of his right boot.
 
For the rest of the 1st half the game became unsettled with some end to end attacking with neither side really on top. The Dorking #3 showed some nice touches and their #20 was obviously dangerous. Oscar agonisingly hit the inside of the post that bobbled back out but with no-one to pounce. Dorkonian missed twice to the right of the goal with what were clear chances and to be fair they could probably feel aggrieved that they hadn’t pulled one back at the half-time stage.
 
Half-time arrived and the team re-grouped for a pep talk and some coaching by Coach Andy.

For the 2nd half Willem moved into goal with Chris placed into defence.  The half began in a more lethargic manner and this was to become a feature of the rest the of the game (with the exception of Harry S). Sam was very useful in midfield and has definitely found a place supplying incisive passes through defence lines. As tiredness started a couple of offsides were caught including a goal for Dorkonian which was ruled out but acted as an early warning shot for the Cobras. A 6-minute window decided the game. Firstly, a goal kick not cleared by midfield properly and the boys invited pressure by not getting tackles into our opponents. Their #20 burying the first into the bottom right-hand corner. Two minutes later almost a repeat. The boys backing off the #20 again who buried the ball with a strong shot into the same corner.
 
In this frantic period Harry S continued to toil but had the problem of lack of support and being frustrated decided to revert the game to Harry S vs Dorknians. Oscar had a left shot that whipped just past the left post before the killer blow was dealt in the 41st minute. A ball in the from the left wing found their #10 who hit an unstoppable shot into the top-left corner of the helpless Willem who even though he was looking quite assured (intelligently knowing when to leave chances etc) and really had had no chance with all 3 goals.
 
The Cobras did step up the pressure. Harry S continued to be a menace on the left, Luc had a looping cross from the right spin just past the post before Harry S also beat the keeper with a long range shot that wasn’t quite on target. The boys didn’t give up. Angus screaming for throw-ins and corners to be taken late and Sam showed he can also deliver a strong corner which could be a great feature of the oncoming season.
 
The game finished 2-3. In summary, a strong performance and boded well for the rest of the season. It should be noted that the very vocal support was string from both sets of parents and in extremely good humour.

Kelsey won the parents MoM vote, Harry S with his tireless effort the coaches MoM. An interview with our two stars of the day is below…..

​Much excitement at the Stadia de Broadbridge Heath last night as the 2nd installment of “Giving the U10s a schooling in real football talent” took place as the boys trained on the pitch alongside the U10 parents who decided to have a 2nd go of the season themselves. The parents booked their courts side by side with the children in an obvious attempt to provide a demonstration of Barcelona-esque total football to the young Ronaldo, Messi and Kanes wannabees who would long remember the quality of football on show :-)
 
Right from the start the “talent” was on show with my own very special “trap the ball dummy” that foxed everyone. Jane made her debut for Loxwood U10s parents which she actually admitted turned out to be her football career debut! Well done Jane, looking forward to seeing your career progress!
 
After a quick warm by the players and a 12-hour kit change by Jeremy a 3x3 match started. Intricate passing was shown all across the pitch -  Jeremy with some slick turns, Marco commanding his defensive area and Andy slick on the pitch and on his phone in equal measure.
 
The arrival of Vinny, Sarah and Samuel (Harry J older brother) resulted in a 4 v 4. Highlights included:

• Sarah 1:1 attempt with Vinny in goal who wasn’t letting that in – if Sarah had score it would have been an epic tale in the Jenkinsons history book and bedroom for years to come I’m sure
• Jeremy performing an attempted “clothes line” tackle on Garth – “honest, I didn’t see you”
• Samuels new “party trick” of standing on the ball and landing on his face – twice!
• Garth performing good impressions of his grandfather coughing up 3 ounces of tar in the morning after smoking 40 a day for 50 years.