U-11 Jaguars bring down league leaders - in 4-0 away win!

5 October 2009

The Jaguars knew their first autumnal fixture would be one to present them with a considerable challenge: not only were Inter Cheadle JFC East at the top of their game and top of the league, but the Jaguars' recent displays suggested they might now be the team to try and beat.

However the management team must have winced as mother nature threw up conditions that can bring down the most accomplished sides down to humbling basics; the match was to take place at Inter Cheadle’s home turf, fittingly on Europa Way, in a force 4 gale. Perhaps with this in mind, the team was at full strength, unchanged from the previous winning fixture. All breathed a sigh of relief at the strength of the bench also, where regulars were back from injury, a wedding, and school football commitments .

Right from kick off, the gathered crowd could sense the forming of what the manager has been trying to build over the previous seasons: discipline, shape and fearless commitment to being first to the ball. This was rewarded when the new ‘midfield general’ Hector, created early pressure that allowed the ever hungry TJ a chance in the box. Jamie followed with a confident diagonal shot which flashed past the post, and Hector was unlucky with a shot which the 'keeper couldn't hold and the ball squirmed along the line before being collected at the second attempt.

Meanwhile, the defence knew this game was going to be dictated by pressure forced from a disciplined line pushing up the field. Even the ref was witness to the coercion of Inter’s forward play, by the constant commanding booms of the Jaguars’ ‘brickwall’ Tom and Ted, as they shouted to push their midfielders forward, and play the newly learnt ‘offside trap’ to great effect. The team, and the defenders in particular are starting to learn that football is as much about using their brains as using their feet!

Probing passes down the left wing were once again to be the trademark of Neil, whilst on the right Will’s lengthy throws down the touchline always found the eager head of Kieran for a flick on to Sam. It seemed in the first half that all the play was in the opposition’s half and eventually Connor found a crack in Inter’s defence to convert the first goal from a corner.

In midfield, TJ ‘de Jong’ and Hector were always there to break up opponent’s play and quickly recycle the ball to Jamie, now prepared to work hard and drive down the left using his skills and, more and more, his body weight to bamboozle the unlucky full back. The second goal came from the sublime feet of Keiran, and while this was a game where Natty wasn't troubled too much in goal, he showed his concentration and application by pulling off a superb save, immediately from Inter’s kick off. With commitment like this it was only a matter of time before the Jaguars’ performance was rewarded with more goals.

The half time score of 2-0 allowed the Jaguars to crank up the pressure in the second half with Connor in particular, in dazzling form down the right wing.

That pressure was rewarded, with another superb solo goal from Sam, and Connor made it 4-0, following in a Jamie free kick.

By the time the final whistle blew no one could say the 4-0 result flattered this highly organized side: indeed in my book, a disallowed goal from Finlay and the christening of the woodwork by Jamie and Brendan should really count as 3 more!

The team management were really pleased with the boys’ performance. The conditions were not ideal for this fixture, but the boys’ listened and played to the Manager’s instruction; “in wind like this, keep the ball on the ground and pass it firmly”.

In our next game, we must try not to panic when trying to score. We tried to shoot too quickly in this game and could have scored more goals by taking the ball closer to goal or by looking up and seeing a team mate in a better position. The central midfielders must also remember to pass the ball more to our wingers.

The team are learning the lessons that football is not about personal rewards but team organization and swapping individual wishes on how to play, for the far more fruitful role demanded by the team. Well done boys; every player stuck to position, shouted and listened to their mates’ orders and did just what it says on the tin!

Goalscorers; Connor (2), Sam, Kieran.

GBK Man of the Match; Jamie –unlucky not to score after three great efforts on goal, but this award is for his much improved work rate, accurate dead balls and excellent passing and distribution in this match. Keep it up!

Man of the Match : J Nugent

Source: Tim Strang

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