Boys U14 match report

The U14 boys finally got to play their first fixtures of the season on Sunday, with 2 fixtures against Cambridge City teams. In Brentwood. Of course.

Thanks to all for making it down the M11 on time to play the 2 back-to-back matches.

The first match pitched us against Cambridge City ‘Selwyn’. Despite going down a goal early, the contest remained competitive and a close, nip-and-tuck affair, until Selwyn with a flurry of goals went 5-2 up. Their coach gathered them together and talked about protecting their advantage and not playing too high (aka – “Parking the bus”). But Nomads proceeded to hit their straps and score a couple of quick goals. The last minute saw a couple of short-corners that went agonisingly wide, leaving Selwyn hanging on at the end for a 5-4 win.

The second match was against Cambridge City ‘Wolfson’. This was an U12s team mainly, but one containing some fantastic talent from the City production line. When they scored early on with an audacious reverse-stick scoop over our keeper, the warning signs were there, and for a while our raw youngsters were overwhelmed by some skilful play and strong finishing. The goals were rattling in at regular intervals. So the half time talk was of forgetting the 1st half and trying to win the 2nd.
A vastly improved effort saw us 3-3 (in the 2nd half), with only a few minutes to play. Unfortunately the toll of playing 80 minutes of nearly continuous hockey started to tell, especially against such a talented bunch, and the last few minutes yielded another mini-glut of goals. I conveniently forget the actual score, which was harsh.

But I hope the boys enjoyed it - their effort was never in doubt, and it was a great learning experience. Tristan, in goal in a match for the first time, was a revelation. He made multiple saves with either foot, and a couple of times made double, or even triple, saves to hold up the rampant City attack. Well done.
Ben and Leo at the back tackled their hearts out and always tried to find a pass out. Jamie, Harry and Zak worked extremely hard on the flanks in both defence and attack. Thomas was full of neat touches, skill, and passing in the middle. George played all over the pitch and always caused problems with his unconventional and effective skills, and Will ran his heart out up front causing all the defenders problems, finally finishing up with a hat-trick of deserved goals.
Less taxing tests will come, I am sure. For some of them it was their very first competitive half-pitch game, and a great effort by everyone. Thanks.