Great spirit and improvement shown in 2-4 defeat
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.
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…..
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!
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!