Great start but no glory for U9 Jaguars at Flixton Fields - It could have been so much better!

6 March 2011

After a magical mystery tour, the U9 Jaguars found their way to Flixton fields to face Urmston Meadowside Saxons. The Saxons beat our own Cougars 3 – 2 in a very close game last week, so the Jaguars were hoping to do a little better against a very good footballing side.

The game started with Freddie in goals, Jack and Joel at the back, Connor in midfield, Max and Will on the wings and Dante up front. The Jaguars played 15 minutes of fantastic football taking the lead through Dante with his 13th goal of the season. Freddie was very solid in nets. Jack and Joel looked in total control across the back. Connor appeared to be in great form tackling and passing. Will, Dante and Max were apparently ready to go on and produce a magical display capped with a convincing win.

After the first break Freddie continued in nets, Cameron came on for Joel; Matt and Joe replaced Max and Dante. Everything seemed ok until Connor went down with a nasty injury. The Saxons hit back as the Jaguars lost their shape. Will left the game and Ollie came on up front. The second period was lost and the team went in three goals to one down.

The third period saw Joel back on with Max and Dante. Unfortunately, the Saxons confidence was sky high and they continued to score. Max finished off a nice move for his 28th goal of the season but it was not enough to change the game. Max also just missed with a spectacular ‘Ronaldo’ free kick strike. Matt played the pass of the game to Dante who couldn’t quite finish the move off with a second goal. Joe replaced Joel for the last couple of minutes. Jack came on as a goalie for ten minutes taking a terrific catch from a powerful Urmston strike. Urmston ran out 5 – 2 winners.

Jack takes this week’s Man of the Match Award. He battled hard at the back with some terrific tackles and made a couple of important passes. His goal kicking was accurate and his long throw a formidable weapon. Freddie played one of his best games with two brave and outstanding saves stopping certain goals to give him the Silver Award.  Matt was this week’s Bronze award winner for a good all round performance.

It’s important to realise that no individuals were to blame for this result – it was a team failure. However, lessons learned over the last couple of months were ignored. At some point in the last two periods, every player was caught out of position. The team spirit was still good and everyone gave 100% effort. Urmston have beaten everyone in the league including Sale United so the result is no disgrace. What was frustrating was that everyone who is connected to the U9 Jaguars should know that it could and should have been so much better. If the boys play for individual glory they will lose every week. If they play for each other, concentrate and do the job they have been given, it has been proven that the results will come.  I would ask everyone to think about how we can improve on this performance in our next match.

Nick and Harrison were missed but thanks to Ian Horton for a great job helping out.

Source: John Hayhurst

<< to news index

• Fixtures
• Results
• News and Reports
• League Data
• Stats