UNDER 9’s  -  13/11/05

BUSH HILL RANGERS –v- APOEL

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As the game kicked off Bush Hill went straight on the attack and Mohamed was unlucky not to put us in front early on.  Apoel showed their intentions by playing a defensive formation, and it was up to us to break them down. For long periods of the first half we were dominating play, our passing and movement creating chance after chance. It didn’t take long for the game to get physical.  Our boys were being hacked down at every opportunity, what pleased me, was the attitude shown by all our boys. Every time we were fouled, we just bounced back up, dusted ourselves down, and got on with our football! I urged the referee to get hold of this game, as it was in danger of being spoilt by ‘bad sportsmanship’. With a few minutes to go before half time, after yet another good move, Mohamed forced the ball home, 1-0 to Bush Hill.  The game was being played at 100 miles per hour, and there were tackles flying in from both sides.  The boys were giving as good as they were getting! The first half ended 1-0 to Bush Hill.

At half time, I told the boys how proud I was of them, in the way that they were dealing with the opposition’s ‘dirty tactics’.  We were being positive all over the park, and as well as showing that we have some steel in us, we continued to try and play our football.

The second half kicked off, as the first finished, at 100 miles per hour, with Bush Hill still creating chance after chance, especially with our wingers, who both worked tirelessly to create and to defend.  Bush Hill were soon camped in their half, with shots coming from all angles, but we just could not add to our score.  On a rare occasion, when Apoel broke, their striker showed pace and aggression, as he was bearing down on our goal, Brandon showed that he was focused and alert, he came running out and with a mighty challenge took ball, player, grass and all, to clear!  In the dying moments Bush Hill were awarded a free kick on the edge of their box, after yet another late challenge! This time Halil was unlucky not to add to our score! More chances came and went.  Final score 1-0 to Bush Hill.

At the end I told the boys how proud they made me feel today.  They really did show

‘No Battle – No Glory!’  and they have very quickly learnt that sometimes you need to get physical, to earn the right to play football your way. Well Done Boys!

Today’s Man of The Match – Nazeem – Dangerous going forward, Solid coming back