Nomads U10s with some mixed results but lots of fun

First game against Cambridge City. It was a tight game with possession mainly in the Nomads half to begin with and their early pressure led to a goal after around 5 minutes from the only half chance created by them. The Nomads reacted impressively after going a goal down however and after probably some of the better passing moves of the tournament by the Under 10’s we ended up in the City D quite quickly and started creating chances. It became apparent at this point that kicking-backs were in play as twice the ball was kicked off the line by City preventing a much deserved Nomads equaliser. The game then went back-and-forward for the remainder but stayed 1-0 to City at the final whistle.

The second game was sadly less well contested, again we went 1-0 down to City early on, but the pressure remained with the surprisingly oversized City team for much of the game. But with the newly installed kicking back in play the score line reminded 1 – 0 to the to end. Nomads did have several break a ways into the City half and D but as they had a fully kitted up goalie in between the sticks chances were snubbed out pretty quickly. Although a valiant effort from our youngsters against some suspiciously large under 10s.

The third was sadly the biggest loss of the day although the result could have been very different: Saffron Walden were much less opposition than the previous teams but the ball just wouldn’t go in. The continued pressure and the kids keenness to get the right result in this game meant we were left short at the back on several breakaways which to be fair to Saffron Walden executed very well, and with the kicking backs often caught out further up field and some quick, well timed passing from Saffron Walden we were down 2 – 0 in the second half of the match mainly due to some very good counter attacking passes up field by the opposition.

Fourth game was finally the deserved breakthrough we desperately needed. By this point the kids were sadly a bit downhearted by the current run of form, however a superb run up field pretty much solo after a quick pass out of the Nomads D meant after wobbling his way through a couple of players James was in the D, first shot came back off the defender kindly and allowed one last weave round the defender to allow a shot into the middle of the goal. That signalled the rally and then pressure began to mount for Nomads, a couple of well contained escape attempts then followed after a keen fight back by the opposition and the game finished with a Nomads win!

In the last game Nomads took advantage early on with a well pressed move resulting in a goal. The opposition then began to start moving the ball around the pitch quite well and an equaliser put the match back in the balance, before Nomads then managed to move the ball though to the opposition D again. A couple of short corners later the ball was in the back of the net and victory looked assured with only a couple of minutes left. However after a lack of movement and some hesitation and Nomads were caught out at the back with just moments left on the clock, the opposition broke though on goal alone and the painful equaliser was sadly only a formality for the forward. A draw was the final result though like much of the day was a bit unlucky.