.Saturday 23rd November Bookham Colts 1 v 1 Loxwood (6-7 on Pens AET)
The Magpies arrived at a sodden Bookham ground, and despite the wet weather were given a warm welcome from their hosts. With a number of players not available/injured/unwell, and having already been narrowly beaten by high flying Bookham in the season curtain raiser, the odds were stacking up against the boys in this cup match. Not to be deterred, the starting line-up looked slightly different due to some strategic 'tinkering' from coach Callum; Liam started in midfield alongside Charlie, Tom moved from midfield to attack and Hamish was given a free role in between midfield and attack. We were going to take the game to the opposition from the off - that was the message/team talk!
The boys didn't disappoint, and started the match on the front foot (for once 🙂), pushing Bookham very deep into their own half for a sustained period. It looked like only a matter of time before a goal came. And it was! Captain Tom Bonney hit a wonder strike form distance, and as soon as it left his boot it was destined to lob the GK and nestle in the back of the net. A great goal, and fully deserved for the start that the boys made.
The pressure from the magpies continued, with Bookham looking shaken and their flat back line suspect to the work rate and pace of Sonic (Rowan). Daniel and Will were finding space to link up the play and the game plan was going well with Hamish getting loads of the ball, and the opposition not really knowing how to handle him.
It wasn't until the last 10 minutes of the first half that the Magpies goal was really threatened. The back 3 of Bubba, Harry and Kinley were completely dominant, and the safe hands of Charlie behind them provided a secure feel to the shape of the team. Bubba, in particular, keeping the goal safe with a couple of top draw blocks. Then Bookham had a strong spell for the last 10 minutes, and Charlie had to be alert on a couple of occasions - they were starting to get a bit of momentum!!. Bookham are a good footballing side when allowed to play ...and our boys were starting to tire from their 1st half endeavors. Some further substitutes were made to freshen things up before the half drew to a close.
The second half started with Bookham looking lively and starting to control the flow of the match much more. The Magpies were starting to get deeper into their own half and the game was being played mostly in our half for 15/20 mins. within this time, after some sustained pressure, Bookham scored an equalizer - a great one handed, full stretch save from Charlie lead to a corner and Bookham managed to scramble it in.
Bookham now had their tails up, and the Magpies were defending for their lives and looking to hit on the break. Our shape fell away a bit which left the attackers isolated and once again the boys were getting deeper and deeper into their own half. Several substitutions were made, and Tom dropped back into his usual midfield role to help stem the tide. There were 10 minutes to go, and the Magpies got a second wind and started to push on using space down the left well. Daniel, Tom and Michael (great to see him back!!) were combining well and half chances were starting to be made. Both teams were going for the win, and Bookham's number 9 continued to look dangerous when he got space.
With a few minutes to go, a massive chance fell for the Magpies. Kinley played a cross into the danger area, which was only half cleared to Liam who dummied one player before hitting a lovely shot toward the bottom corner. The Bookham GK made a terrific save (he was good all game) to keep the score level. Magpies continued to push, and Bookham deployed some 'robust' defensive tactics which weren't spotted by the young referee, but the boys kept pushing and taking the game to the opposition. At this point there was only going to be one winner, but, alas, time ran out and the referee bought the match to an end.
No extra time is played in SSYFL so a penalty shoot out ensued.
The boys took a breather whilst the penalty takers were identified.
Captain Bonney was up first - safe hands (boots?!), and straight into the bottom corner - if he was nervous, he certainly hid it well! Pressure on Bookham. Charlie Davies got a good hand to the first penalty he faced, but it crept in.
Each team scored immaculately their next 4 penalties - nerves of steel from both sets of boys. Sudden death!
Very exciting stuff - Magpies scored the next 2 and then Bookham missed - it was all over. A massive win for the Magpies!
Cue wild celebrations and relief.
Despite their absolute pleasure in winning, the boys must take huge credit for how they handled themselves in terms of congratulating the opposition, who were understandably gutted. It really was a match that could have gone either way, and Bookham must take a lot of credit for the part they played in a truly memorable match, and good advert for Youth Football.
The boys showed a level of maturity that was such a pleasure to see. Last season that match would have got away from them, but they are made of sterner stuff now, and are starting to believe that they are a match for even the top teams in this competitive division.
There were many praiseworthy performances: Captain Tom truly lead by example, Charlie was the cool head behind the defence, Liam was physically dominating in midfield, and Hamish totally bamboozled Bookham for 20 minutes in that no.10 role. The back 3 of Bubba, Harry and Kinley were fantastic, and were up against probably the best striker in this division (his Dad (their coach) commented on how well they had handled him - its the first game this season that he hasn't scored!). They stuck at it for the whole match.
Man of the match goes to Bubba. A man-size performance full of determination and great decision making. Well Done - you have raised the bar of MoTM winning performances now!
Home vs St Pauls next. Thanks to Lucy Badger for the video footage
The Magpies arrived at a sodden Bookham ground, and despite the wet weather were given a warm welcome from their hosts. With a number of players not available/injured/unwell, and having already been narrowly beaten by high flying Bookham in the season curtain raiser, the odds were stacking up against the boys in this cup match. Not to be deterred, the starting line-up looked slightly different due to some strategic 'tinkering' from coach Callum; Liam started in midfield alongside Charlie, Tom moved from midfield to attack and Hamish was given a free role in between midfield and attack. We were going to take the game to the opposition from the off - that was the message/team talk!
The boys didn't disappoint, and started the match on the front foot (for once 🙂), pushing Bookham very deep into their own half for a sustained period. It looked like only a matter of time before a goal came. And it was! Captain Tom Bonney hit a wonder strike form distance, and as soon as it left his boot it was destined to lob the GK and nestle in the back of the net. A great goal, and fully deserved for the start that the boys made.
The pressure from the magpies continued, with Bookham looking shaken and their flat back line suspect to the work rate and pace of Sonic (Rowan). Daniel and Will were finding space to link up the play and the game plan was going well with Hamish getting loads of the ball, and the opposition not really knowing how to handle him.
It wasn't until the last 10 minutes of the first half that the Magpies goal was really threatened. The back 3 of Bubba, Harry and Kinley were completely dominant, and the safe hands of Charlie behind them provided a secure feel to the shape of the team. Bubba, in particular, keeping the goal safe with a couple of top draw blocks. Then Bookham had a strong spell for the last 10 minutes, and Charlie had to be alert on a couple of occasions - they were starting to get a bit of momentum!!. Bookham are a good footballing side when allowed to play ...and our boys were starting to tire from their 1st half endeavors. Some further substitutes were made to freshen things up before the half drew to a close.
The second half started with Bookham looking lively and starting to control the flow of the match much more. The Magpies were starting to get deeper into their own half and the game was being played mostly in our half for 15/20 mins. within this time, after some sustained pressure, Bookham scored an equalizer - a great one handed, full stretch save from Charlie lead to a corner and Bookham managed to scramble it in.
Bookham now had their tails up, and the Magpies were defending for their lives and looking to hit on the break. Our shape fell away a bit which left the attackers isolated and once again the boys were getting deeper and deeper into their own half. Several substitutions were made, and Tom dropped back into his usual midfield role to help stem the tide. There were 10 minutes to go, and the Magpies got a second wind and started to push on using space down the left well. Daniel, Tom and Michael (great to see him back!!) were combining well and half chances were starting to be made. Both teams were going for the win, and Bookham's number 9 continued to look dangerous when he got space.
With a few minutes to go, a massive chance fell for the Magpies. Kinley played a cross into the danger area, which was only half cleared to Liam who dummied one player before hitting a lovely shot toward the bottom corner. The Bookham GK made a terrific save (he was good all game) to keep the score level. Magpies continued to push, and Bookham deployed some 'robust' defensive tactics which weren't spotted by the young referee, but the boys kept pushing and taking the game to the opposition. At this point there was only going to be one winner, but, alas, time ran out and the referee bought the match to an end.
No extra time is played in SSYFL so a penalty shoot out ensued.
The boys took a breather whilst the penalty takers were identified.
Captain Bonney was up first - safe hands (boots?!), and straight into the bottom corner - if he was nervous, he certainly hid it well! Pressure on Bookham. Charlie Davies got a good hand to the first penalty he faced, but it crept in.
Each team scored immaculately their next 4 penalties - nerves of steel from both sets of boys. Sudden death!
Very exciting stuff - Magpies scored the next 2 and then Bookham missed - it was all over. A massive win for the Magpies!
Cue wild celebrations and relief.
Despite their absolute pleasure in winning, the boys must take huge credit for how they handled themselves in terms of congratulating the opposition, who were understandably gutted. It really was a match that could have gone either way, and Bookham must take a lot of credit for the part they played in a truly memorable match, and good advert for Youth Football.
The boys showed a level of maturity that was such a pleasure to see. Last season that match would have got away from them, but they are made of sterner stuff now, and are starting to believe that they are a match for even the top teams in this competitive division.
There were many praiseworthy performances: Captain Tom truly lead by example, Charlie was the cool head behind the defence, Liam was physically dominating in midfield, and Hamish totally bamboozled Bookham for 20 minutes in that no.10 role. The back 3 of Bubba, Harry and Kinley were fantastic, and were up against probably the best striker in this division (his Dad (their coach) commented on how well they had handled him - its the first game this season that he hasn't scored!). They stuck at it for the whole match.
Man of the match goes to Bubba. A man-size performance full of determination and great decision making. Well Done - you have raised the bar of MoTM winning performances now!
Home vs St Pauls next. Thanks to Lucy Badger for the video footage
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