Crosspool U10's -v- Chessy Town U10's

Sunday 9th September 2007

Crosspool Juniors U10 – v – Chesterfield Town U10

As last week was rest week for most of the boys (not that they got a Sunday off) they should have been fit and raring to go for this one. The pitch looked perfect, there was a slight breeze in the air and coupled with the clear blue skies everyone was expecting an entertaining game.

First Match
Both sides shared the pressure for the opening five minutes but then Crosspool began to have all the possession and created chance after chance to no avail.
By half time it was still no score and the feeling that it may be one of those days started cross most peoples minds until Sam Collins broke the deadlock on 30mins with a well crafted goal. It now appeared that Crosspool would easily take the spoils and before the final whistle Ollie Fairweather was rewarded for his efforts when he converted one of his chances to put it beyond Chessy.
The first game finished 2 nil to us.

Team: Jack Wade, Ross Haslam, Tom Dale, Hugh Hackney, Luke Kocura, Ollie Fairweather, Alex Hackett, Sam Collins

Second Match
The pace of this game began in top gear and carried on for the whole match. The opposition were quick, organised and strong and it soon became clear that our two goal lead may be under threat; they underlined this fact on 5 minutes when our boys struggled to clean their lines and went one behind.
After the break Sam Tierney and Ross Irwin combined to produce some much needed pressure, the passing of Sam Tierney producing most of Crosspool’s chances.
This game was now being contested in midfield and Chessy began to look for a second but our defence, led by Joe Jinx held on, leaving it equal in the second half.
The second game finished 1 nil to them.

Team: Joe Taylor, Ross Irwin, George Marsden, Henry Beck, Joe Jinkinson, Samantha Tierney, George Thomas, Charlie Hinchliff

Overall results was Crosspool 2 Chesterfield 1

U11s 1st Win v Middlewood Rovers

One thing for sure: the under 11s will not win the fair play award again this year! The teams were pretty evenly matched: Rovers had the best shot of the game, a fine drive against the crossbar from well outside the area; Crosspool scored from a goalmouth scramble after the ever lively Jacob jabbed the ball over the goalkeeper.
Rovers looked a decent team, but they lacked the commitment shown by Crosspool. Often when a Rovers player was first to the ball the player regretted having his hand (goalkeeper) or foot (several players) in the way of a committed Crosspool kick.
Even the Sven-Göran Eriksson style mass substitutions at half time (five players) didn't make a notable difference to the overall performance - though this time the solid defence remained unchanged. All of the back four played well: but all too often Josh made the last ditch tackle that ended a promising Rovers attack. Jack also deserves special mention after recovering well from his bad experience last week with some decisive charges off his line. But this spirit, first to the ball, in for the tackle, ran through the team.
Towards the end of the match the five substitutes who were introduced at half time had the disappointment of being replaced by the five that started the game. It was good to see John back on the field, but it was hard to see the benefit of the wholesale changes. In fact, while the fresh players were adjusting, Rovers nearly took advantage of the disruption.
After that Crosspool could have added another goal when a fine corner from Ryan just needed a touch as it drifted over the goalmouth. That was one of the few clear chances against a team that defended in numbers. Onwards and upwards...

Under 11s v Beighton Falcons

After a great 3-2 win in the friendly against Nether Green, including a hat-trick by Luke, the boys went into the game against Beighton Falcons, the team who provided our first win of last season, full of optimism - a feeling that disappeared faster than my high hopes for Wednesday this season. The solid back four against Nether Green was mixed up a little with the solid Lewis and Danial starting on the bench. It is unlikely that either of them could have done much about Beighton's first goal, a fast attack and fierce shot. A fine save by the Beighton goalie from Luke shortly before the goal perhaps lulled Crosspool into a false sense of security - though the cavalry charge flowing from the massive drop kick carried more than a hint of danger.
After the first Beighton goal the second, third, fourth and fifth quickly followed. Memories of the drubbing at Aston came to mind as our otherwise reliable goalkeeper, Jack, was visibly shaken - as were many other members of the team. It seemed that we were in danger of losing the plot completely. After the introduction of Lewis and Danial the boys started to hold their own.
The second half was well balanced with the team again showing good character to come back into the game. In the end just the one goal was a poor reflection of a good, winning, second half performance. Take away that first ten minutes and it could have gone either way...

u11 First Match of Season

Typical Windy day, brought back icy memories of last season.

The start of match was rather shambolic. Got there and setup only to find under 13s also due to play on same pitch.After hard diplomacy from Chris we started the game regardless..
As this was the first game of the season, everyone was rather stiff and this showed by us letting in two goals in the first five minutes.
10 minutes into game, John has an amazing run all the way to side of goal and passed it across mouth of goal, to be met by Eddie – who scored.
The John went on a great run, super skill, got past goalie, found himself in front of empty goal, but couldn't convert.....
Everyone was in shock after that, and 40 seconds later let in another goal.
John had another great run at goal and missed by a whisker.
The opposing team hit a good cross at the goal, Ted tried his best to clear it but unfortunately it went in the wrong direction, into our goal.
Tom intercepted a long pass headed to our goal, he did an incredible stretch to stop it.
By now we were getting warmed up, and started leading great coordinated attacks.
The dying seconds of the second half say us miss a free kick very close to their goal.
HALF TIME (Blessed relief)
Time to regroup, and take stock. Main advice seemed to be about talking to each other more, and positioning.

Second half:
Wind in our favour this half. We made up for the rather poor first half by spending most of the first ten minutes in their side attacking the goal.
Great passes by John to Goal mouth, alas, not met by anyone.
15 Minutes in John scored (Full redemption now), goes on to score another with gusto.
A forlorn counter attack by them was saved by a great dive by Ted.
Last few second of match say most of our team near their goal, trying to equalise, a final shot from very close range at their goal .................missed.
Final score 3-4 to them.

Handsworth Boys U10 – v - Crosspool Juniors U10

Sunday 9th September 2007

After last weeks shaky start the boys were to be put to the test against one of the favoured sides in the league and on their own turf. Crosspool have become a bogey side for Handsworth in the past who suffered their only defeat last season to Crosspool.
It was looking like a difficult task for Crosspool who were plagued with injury and absentees on holiday resulting in no subs for the first match and only one available for the second along with Charlie Hinchsliff willing to step up if required despite his sore leg, luckily he wasn’t needed and was able to rest his leg.

First Match
The game started with both sides sharing possession. Handsworth’s tall fullbacks were obvious target men on set pieces but Crosspool defended well and started to pile on the pressure. The breakthrough came on 10 minutes after Alex Hackett latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and buried it cleanly, one nil Crosspool.
After the break Handsworth had clearly being instructed to come out fast and attack at every opportunity. A period followed with two or three goalmouth scrabbles in the Crosspool box and a headed clearance off the line by Tom Dale who was having a great game, the clearance fell to a Handsworth forward and was struck on the volley only for Jack Wade in the Crosspool net to tip it around the post for a spectacular save in yet another good match for him.
Handsworth continued to push on and Crosspool took advantage to hit them on the break a few times and with Luke Kocura’s right wing run’s finishing with shots just wide. Despite Handsworth’s efforts Crosspool held them at bay and the match finished one nil.

Team : Jack Wade, Ross Haslam, Tom Dale, Hugh Hackney, Luke Kocura, Ollie Fairweather, Alex Hackett, Charlie Hinchsliff

Second Match
The good start in the first game would hopefully inspire the team in the second match. Again it was a cagey start with Handsworth coming closest first with a superb shot from the corner of the box that had goal written all over it but Joe Taylor, the Crosspool keeper, had other ideas and pulled off a tremendous flying one handed save to keep it out. This was the turning point of the match and Joe’s clearance fell to the new man Ross Irwin on halfway. He ran round the Handsworth back two with ease only to be denied. Their clearance fell to George Marsden in a central position just outside the box. His trusty right foot connected well and the ball flew into the bottom right hand corner giving their keeper no chance on nine minutes, one nil to Crosspool.
After half time Handsworth tried to catch Crosspool on the break but Crosspool got back in numbers and frustrated them time and time again.
Handsworth seemed to be running out of ideas as Crosspool attacked from a throw in inside their own half. Henry Beck sent a ball down the line of the left wing and George Thomas took it in his stride to thread an accurate and perfectly weighted ball through a crowd of defenders to find George Marsden's right foot and again who blasted low and hard to make it two nil with seven minutes remaining.
Handsworth managed a consolation goal but it was too little too late and Crosspool were worthy winners at two one.

Overall results was Handsworth 1 Crosspool 3

Congratulations to all those involved for a superb result and an entertaining and friendly game on both sides.



Team : Joe Taylor, Dan Aspin, Ross Irwin, George Marsden, Henry Beck, Joe Jinkinson, Samantha Tierney, George Thomas

Crosspool Juniors U10 – v - Wickersley Youth U10

Sunday 2nd September 2007

First Match
Following last season’s promotion to ‘A’ Division the boy’s first match of the season saw them on the new Coldwell Lane pitch.
On a dull afternoon Wickersley started strong and dominated for the first half and went one nil up before the break, somewhat against the run of play. The second half saw Crosspool testing the Wickerseley defence time after time and as the rain started to fall Henry Beck slotted home a low drive from a well worked corner. The match finished one all with Crosspool looking the more likely to score before the final whistle.

Team : Jack Wade, Ross Haslam, Henry Beck, George Marsden, Charlie Hinchsliff, George Thomas Samantha Tierney, Harry Crossley


Second Match
By the start of the second game the rain was persistent, making the going slippy under foot, not only for the players but the parents trying to negotiate the banking in order to see round the restricted view that is the big bush on the half way line.
The match started slow on both sides with Crosspool making the most effort to get forward after five minutes and producing a few shots on target. Wickersley tested the Crosspool keeper from a good free kick just before half time.
The second half started with the opposition first out of the blocks but now it was time for Crosspool to hit them on the break. Only bad luck stopped us from taking the lead. One goal would decide the game but unfortunately it went to Wickersley mid way through the half. They pushed for a second and again Crosspool were unlucky not to equalise on the break. It ended one nil to them and two one overall.

Team : Joe Taylor, Hugh Hackney, Joe Jinkinson, Luke Kocura, Ollie Fairweather, Alex Hackett, Sam Collins, Ross Irwin

This space will soon be full of reports from the boys' managers or the team blogger. In the meantime, if you have a photo (with suitable permission, a result or a write-up, then mail it to me (steph(at)iomwebs.net) and I'll post it here.

Steph