U11 Jaguars too powerful for Henbury & Broken Cross - it's seven again!

The eleven who turned up obviously picked themselves, but with Finlay being given the opportunity to play a match outfield, the team started with Brendan in goal, a defence of Neil, Ted, Tom and Charlie, TJ sat in front, Jamie, Shorty and Natty made up the midfield with Kieran and Finlay having the freedom to attack. More than anything, after last week’s performance, the Manager was looking for the team to be more vocal, support each other and keep its shape and formation -especially in midfield. Against ten men this should not be beyond us.

 

The game started with Henbury playing as if they had eleven men. Their performances have improved in recent weeks and it showed. Whilst the Jaguars were not following in Natty’s excellent corners, it was Henbury who had the better of the opening play with Neil and Charlie having to make last ditch tackles, and Brendan having to be alert to deny goal scoring opportunities.

 

The Jaguars took the lead after good play by Charlie. He lobbed a firm pass along the line, which was meant for Jamie –who was robbed by Fin who then raced off, in his own inimitable style, like a greyhound chasing a hare, and smashed the ball into the back of the net. 1-0.

 

A second goal followed. A great cross by Natty, rammed home by Shorty.

 

2-0 at half time and the Manager could relax –a bit! Team talk; don’t stand and watch Natty’s corners –try and anticipate where the ball will fall. Follow in –if the goalkeeper spills the ball, one of you must be there to score. Passing –hit the ball firmly –too many passes are short and weak. And, it might be freezing cold, but get a sweat on!

 

The second half started with Ted exchanging places with Brendan, and a stroke of luck at the other end. The ball bounced around in Henbury’s box like a pinball, came off the goalkeeper and was caught on the line by a Henbury defender! A great save, but a penalty. Shorty stepped up. Goal; 3-0.

 

A fourth goal followed from a breakaway –‘like a greyhound chasing a hare’. Yes, scored by you know who.

 

And then, the most surreal moment of the season. The Henbury number 10 gathered the ball in midfield, looked up and saw the Jaguars' goal seemingly without a goalkeeper. He pulled the trigger and shot. We are all still not sure where Ted was exactly, or what he was doing –maybe he was dreaming of Keira again, (that’s Knightly, not Kieran), congratulating himself on his excellent academic achievement, humming Florence’s latest poptastic hit, or perhaps he was just somewhere only he knows (...name that tune) - who knows? But, by the time he realised there was a shot to save, the ball was behind him. “It’s behind you!” Brilliant! At 4-0 it was funny and worth an admission fee. Henbury had scored.

 

Normal service was resumed with Shorty getting his hat trick with a header, his fourth with a miss-hit that bounced over the goalkeeper and Fin, graced his athletic display with a hat trick after a fine long shot took a wicked bounce to deceive the goalkeeper again. It just wasn’t the poor goalkeeper’s day –and if Natty had been more clinical with a couple of opportunities the score could have been much more.

 

So; a 7-1 win. A much better second half performance. Much more discipline shown in the shape and formation in midfield and some good performances from TJ, Neil, Charlie, Fin and Natty in particular.

 

As a team we must remember to keep our shape. If we do, we will each see much more of the ball, make our individual contribution and get our rewards -performances we will enjoy and matches we will win.

 

 

Goalscorers; Hat-trick heroes -Shorty (4) and Finlay (3)

 

GBK Man of the Match; Natty –this award is for another consistent performance. Natty has benefitted from having match time and has lead the way in recent weeks in playing to the Manager’s instructions. He keeps his shape on the right of midfield, he has been asked to be stronger in the challenge, stay on his feet and he has crossed the ball well, and passed the ball neatly. On another day he might also have had at least two goals or (with a bit more self belief and composure in front of goal) even a hat trick. When you get an opportunity to score Natty, hit the ball hard! Keep it up.