Under 11's Reports 2008-09

Play to the referee’s whistle.

If we can get anything close to the bite and determination of the Youth to pair with our class and skill we will be a match for anyone in the league

We need to hold our positions and play as a team – when we hit on the break we must not have an attacking line of four players, some players need to hold back to ensure we are in position to defend at the break-down or give the player with the ball more options for passes

When teams come back at us we need to hold our defensive positions not fall back into the penalty area which brings more anxiety and makes it harder to clear

We need to know that we can play without our dominant players.  We have enough quality in our team and squad to play our style of football well whether they are playing or not.

Well done boys and a special particular mention to Jonathan and Ben A and their parents for their understanding that changing the team when it was so close would have been detrimental to our chances in the game – both these boys will be getting more pitch time in the games to come.  The squad have all contributed to our success in the cup so far – we are through to the quarter finals so bring on the ‘big’ boys!!!

Scorers (Tom 2, Jake 2, Charlie 2).

Wolverton Tiger Moths Blue 0 Great Horwood Ravens 4
 

League :-  31st January 2009

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Robert Churchill, CJ Smart, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster, Louis Carter, Joe Nugent, Ben Adams, Jonathan Kemp, Lewis Honor

The first fixture after the Christmas break is a tricky one for the boys who have always been notorious slow starters at the beginning of the season and after a break from playing.  Having not had a game the week before (when the Tigermoths had) also meant we could have come up against a team a little less rusty.  After the first five minutes this certainly looked the case as the Tigermoths passing and movement was causing some problems for the Ravens across the pitch.  Helpfully, the playing surface was very good and the pitch a good size which started to allow the boys to begin imposing themselves on the game.  Louis down the left and Charlie down the right were beginning to make some good runs but we were not really threatening the Tigers defence.  CJ was showing some good skill and was beginning to cause some damage through the middle and Tom and Lawrence began to impose themselves through the midfield.  The first goal was fortunate however.  The Tigers cleared an attack and Tom ran powerfully on to loose ball on the half way line.  He smacked the ball hard and high and the ball drifted from 35 yards out over the goalkeeper (0-1).  This was against the run of play to be fair but it had the impact of lifting the Ravens and them shaking off the rust! Ben O and Robert were imperious in defence and when Alex was needed he showed his class.

More attacking play saw some excellent interplay between Lawrence, Tom, CJ, Louis and Charlie only for the ball to run out for a corner.  Jake drilled a lovely corner low and hard in from the right for Tom who was steaming in to the box and placed the ball past the keeper (0-2).  This goal was just before half time and seemed to dispirit the Tigers who had put in a good performance but the Ravens had just been too strong.

Louis was replaced by Jonathan on the left at the start of the second half, shortly followed by Lewis for his debut on for Robert who had been excellent.  Lewis will now open up more options for other players in midfield and more of a nightmare for the manager in keeping all players happy!  The second half was characterised by some fantastic play by Tom and Lawrence.  Ironically, Tom was playing in the deeper role with Lawrence more advanced but this meant that when Tom stormed forward he could influence the game more.  Lawrence’s workrate and passing were proving too much for the Tigers and he opened up a number of excellent runs for Charlie who was proving lethal on the break.  The third goal came from a good passing move down the left with Jonathan and CJ playing the ball nicely.  A free kick was awarded on the left side of the box after CJ was brought down.  Jake stepped up to take the kick and he lifted the ball into the near corner where the keeper could not keep it out.  A great free kick and another example of Jake’s class (0-3).  Joe came on for CJ who is getting better and better and simply does not stop working, and then Ben A came on for Jake who had had another good game.  The Tigers inevitably came more into the game with the number of changes we had made but this saw the defensive side of our game come to the fore.  The Tigers simply could not get past the excellent Ben Olley and Tom Foster as well as the debut boy Lewis who showed bags of class in the tackle and on the ball with some lovely thoughtful passes.  When the Tigers eventually got through and the ball was rolling towards the net, Tom stepped in to clear the ball off the line.   

It was that boy Tom again who claimed the final goal.  Picking the ball up on the half-way line, Tom went past three players and was almost through on goal when he was brought down in the box.  He stepped up for the penalty and hit the ball low and hard into the back of the net (0-4).  More chances followed as the Tigers tired and our superior fitness with Tom and Lawrence showed.  Joe, Ben A and Jonathan all started to get more into the game and each had a chance to score but it was not to be.

This was a terrific team performance from the boys who showed that they had very little rust in their play!  Great performances from all the boys with Lawrence and Tom particularly strong and Lewis, Ben Olley, Alex and Robert all unbeatable in defence.  The clear man of the match was Tom for his first hat trick for our team and an all-round classy performance.

Well done boys, lets keep this going!!

Scorers (Tom 3, Jake 1).

Great Horwood Ravens 5 Wolverton Tiger Moths Blue 2
League :-  6th December 2008 

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Jonathan Kemp, Robert Churchill, CJ Smart, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster, Ben Adams

In what was by far our toughest test yet, the Ravens came through as 5-2 winners in a very close fought but excellent game played by two sides that both endeavoured to play good football in very tough and challenging conditions.  The Ravens looked distinctly off colour for most of the first half as, with Louis missing and us therefore not having much balance on the left, we were highly reliant on Charlie for our attacking drive from midfield down the right hand side.  Ravens created a few half chances but the Tigermoths were dangerous with good midfielders and strikers creating a lot of congestion in our box.  As we pushed back too far or attacked with too many numbers there were a few scrambled half-clearances and Alex made a series of excellent saves in the mud-bath that was his area! 

Not a lot of flowing football from the Ravens and a good move saw the Tigermoths’ right midfielder pick the ball up on the right of the goal and shoot.  Ben’s lunge to protect the goal clipped the shot as it went past him and that took it past the keeper – 0:1.  It was clear before the goal that we had a game on our hands and it was now down to the boys to pick up the pace.  Not much was coming off with Lawrence and Tom not in their usual form, probably as a result of a late night at the school disco the night before!  Charlie was still working it though and another characteristic drive saw him cross the ball into the box.  Jake shot but the keeper saved only for Joe to tap in the loose ball (1:1).  Five minutes later and just before the end of the half after another couple of Tigermoths attacks were scrambled clear, Tom drove through the middle and laid on the pass to Jake who, seeing the keeper advance, lifted the ball over and into the net (1:2).  The half ended at this score and it was fair to say that it was not as a result of much skill and passing – it was one of those days where the passes were just not coming off.  The score at half-time was purely down to the attitude of the boys that, despite loose passes and some shaky positioning, they would keep on working and create the chances for the strikers to score.

Joe came off to be replaced by Ben A and CJ, after some dogged work, came off for Jonathan down the left.  As usual, the second half started as badly as it could.  Seemingly from the kick off we lost the ball and the Tigermoths’ excellent defensive No9 drove through the heart of the pitch.  Tom ushered him to the right but the shot came in and flew out of Alex’s reach into the top corner of the goal (2:2).  Tom was injured in the challenge but bravely carried on.  As usual, the boys again showed what they are all about by almost instantly replying.  A lovely pass up the line from Lawrence saw Charlie dance past a couple of lunges to the by-line.  His cross was met by Tom at pace and he diverted it past the goalkeeper and into the far side of the goal (3:2). This was a terrific goal and I think this disheartened the Tigermoths as we then proceeded to dominate much of the second half.  Another cross from Charlie was controlled nicely by Jake and he then made no mistake by putting it away into the far corner (4:2).  The Ravens were dominant now as Ben A and Jonathan were combining well with Jake down the left and giving Charlie a break!  CJ came back on for a tired-out Lawrence and Joe replaced Jake who had had one of his more effective all-round performances in recent games despite being ill during the week.  CJ’s energy at the end of the game was having a critical effect on the flow of the game and it was his just deserts for his solid first half performance and effort on coming back to score.  As he picked a ball up on the edge of the area after a corner, he looked up and drilled a left-foot shot across the keeper (as we have been working on in training) to score the fifth and final goal of the game (5:2).

This was a tough match against a good team that see us as the team to beat in the league.  Despite the level of competition it was played in a terrific spirit and we look forward to the return leg in the New Year.  Notable performances came from Alex, Jake, CJ, Jonathan and Tom but the clear match winning performance was from Charlie who picked up his second consecutive man of the match award.  Well done boys for a gritty and determined performance – if you can win by not playing all that well (without doing a disservice to the ability of the opposition), then you must a pretty good team!

Scorers (Joe, Jake 2, Tom, CJ).

Halse United 0 Great Horwood Ravens 3
League :-  29thNovember 2008 

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Jonathan Kemp, Robert Churchill, CJ Smart, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster, Ben Adams

This was a tough match and Halse gave us the best competition so far throughout a very good game played by two decent outfits.  The first half saw the Ravens dominating early on with Charlie and Louis threatening down the wings and creating chances for Joe and Jake in the middle but either the goalkeeper or wayward shooting was preventing the breakthrough.  Halse forced the Ravens to take up a defensive formation for attacking moves as they were well able to hit hard on the break with their front two showing great skill and passing to create openings.  Fortunately Alex was the better of these chances and kept the scores level.  The breakthrough came about half-way into the first half with Charlie again breaking beautifully down the right riding past a couple of challenges.  At the by-line he crossed beautifully for Jake to control with his first touch and hit the ball first time into the roof of the net from 10 yards.  A great goal with some sublime skill.  Charlie continued to rampage down the right and Louis’ movement saw him supporting on the right to create a number of chances.  We continued to get exposed at the back with our midfield pushing too far forward looking for the second goal and some great defending from Robert, Ben Olley and Alex in goal prevented an equaliser.  After a succession of crosses and missed opportunities, our second came just at the right time – a minute before half time.  A corner from the left saw the ball run low through the box for Joe to control and slam into the back of the net at the back post.  What followed was probably the worst goal celebration ever with Joe claiming it was a flip but to everyone else looked suspiciously like a three-year-olds forward roll! (Sorry Joe, your dad is allowed to criticise!!)

The second half saw the Ravens dominate far more convincingly with Halse visibly tiring.  The half started with a beautiful move from the kick off which saw Lawrence lay off a sublime pass to the right for Charlie who crossed the ball accurately for Jake to control but he hit his shot straight at the keeper.  The final goal came from a corner with the ball running free to the edge of the box and CJ hitting it high into the net.  Chance after chance followed but a combination of good keeping and defending saw us stay at 3-0. 

This was an excellent performance against a strong and well organised side.  Charlie was superb for his wing play and defensive duties earning him the man of the match award.  Our defenders were again excellent and worked well in the cold conditions when they were needed.  The cross field passing of Lawrence and Tom was excellent and CJ’s work in the second half totally nullified the break-away attacking threat of united.  Well done boys, another great team performance.

Scorers (Jake, Joe, CJ).

Great Horwood Ravens 8 Woodside Wanderers 1
League :-  22nd  November 2008

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Jonathan Kemp, Robert Churchill, CJ Smart, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster,

In a fluid and composed performance, the Ravens ran away with this game.  With no Ben Adams and Louis out with a sore throat just before the game started, a quick reorganisation of the side did nothing to stop the Ravens imposing themselves.  Passing, organisation and teamwork were the order of the day with some sparkling performances from Lawrence, Tom and Charlie in particular.  Starting with CJ up front and Jonathan on the left we soon imposed ourselves on the game.  Goals came from a number of avenues but corners in particular are proving to be fruitful with Tom benefitting in the first half and another goal forced from an own goal.  Charlie was particularly impressive on the right wing again and is beginning to work hard in defence as well as attack picking up a couple of goals.  Jake was the hat-trick hero benefitting from great Charlie crosses but will need to work harder to make a contribution in defence as well as attack.

The score could have been more with Lawrence skying a penalty and Tom just missing out on a hat trick himself from all of three yards

A great team effort with all players contributing – well done boys.

Scorers (Tom 2, Charlie 2, Jake 3, OG).

Olney Town Colts Arrows 1 Great Horwood Ravens 5
League Cup Round 2:-  15^th November 2008

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Jonathan Kemp, Robert Churchill, CJ Smart, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster, Louis Carter, Ben Adams.

The Ravens continued their unbeaten start to the season with a well-disciplined and strong team performance.  Starting with CJ up-front we had great pace and skill in our front pairing with Jake.  The Ravens made an excellent start by using the full width of the pitch.  A couple of close chances went by and it was beginning to look like we would struggle to make the breakthrough.  However, after a great passing move down the left with Ben Olley and Louis using space and movement, the ball was slipped through to Jake to shoot.  The goalkeeper could not hold on to it and Louis’ electric pace saw him react first and swivel on a 6-pence to knock the ball in to the net from a narrow angle.  The second followed soon after as the Ravens were in total command.  A dazzling run of pace and strength from Charlie saw him dribble past three players and knock a terrific cross in the middle and CJ was there to stroke the ball home.  As we discovered last year however, the Arrows are a side of great character and skill and the following 15 minutes saw the Ravens pegged back in their own half.  A combination of great defending from Ben Olley and Robert as well as a great save from Alex meant that we were able to keep them out.  After that period, Tom and Lawrence began to get themselves back into the game and the midfield pairing began to impose themselves.  The third goal came just before the end of the first half with Tom picking the ball up on the left, cutting inside and launching a good shot which the goalkeeper could not keep out.

A couple of changes for the start of the second half saw Charlie replaced on the right by Jonathan and CJ replaced by Joe up front.  CJ had a terrific game and showed us that his pace and tenacity will be a real asset to us in an advanced position.  The Ravens often start the second half sluggishly but one player in particular was not going to let that happen.  Lawrence, who had appeared a little off colour in the first half led through example and was dynamic and intelligent across the pitch.  His passing range was back and his ability to make a 50-50 chance all his was superb.  With Johnny rampaging down the right and showing us that he is a real asset to the team and Louis continuing to impress on the left, the Ravens dominated but could not make the telling opportunity.  Unfortunately for Joe, who had taken up a good position his goal-bound shot was saved by the ‘keeper.  The next breakthrough came 10 minutes into the half.  A fluid passing move on the left with Ben, Tom, Lawrence and Louis saw Louis cross the ball where Joe and Jonathan were lurking. Jonathan capped off a great start to the half and slammed the ball into the back of the net for his first competitive goal for the club – well done Jonathan you deserve it!!  A further change with Ben Adams coming on to the left to replace the excellent Louis meant that we inevitably lost some momentum and this saw the Arrows finally make the breakthrough (1-4).  A final change, bringing Charlie back on to replace the hard-working Jake saw the balance of the game shift back in our favour and it was good to see Charlie return to form after a strangely slow first half.  One of his characteristic mazy runs from the heart of midfield saw him through on goal and a Charlie rocket slammed into the far corner of the net (1-5).  More opportunities came and went with Joe picking himself up after the save and defending from the front, Ben Adams passing and moving fluidly down the left and Charlie continuing his power game but that was it for the scoring and the win was finally confirmed by the referees whistle. 

This was a great team performance with many players working their socks off for the team.  Ben, Alex and Robert are a tough defensive unit, Tom protects the back line superbly and triggers off attacking moves, Louis and Jonathan give us options out wide and CJ showed he can more than cut it up front for the team.  The man of the match performance was once again Lawrence who showed real leadership guile and ability to ensure that we progress through to the next round of the cup.  Well done boys!

Scorers (Louis, CJ, Tom, Jonathan, Charlie).

Brook End Colts Jaguars 3 Great Horwood Ravens 6
League:-  11^th October 2008

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Jonathan Kemp, Robert Churchill, CJ Smart, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster, Louis Carter.

On a beautiful October morning, the Ravens continued their unbeaten start to the league season with a good 3-6 away win against a feisty Jaguars side.  Ravens started as sluggishly as three boys who had been up all night celebrating a birthday and took a while to gel.  The unexpected absence of Archie (get well soon Richard) meant we had Louis playing on the left, Charlie on the right with Joe and Jake on up front.  The ravens began to impose themselves and put the pressure on with a series of corners – the pick of which saw Louis hit the cross-bar with a terrific flicked header.  Other scrambles in the Jags area saw the ball cleared but eventually the breakthrough came with a terrific move down the right from Charlie started by Robert and the cross falling to Jake  to score (0-1).  The Ravens settled into their play with Tom protecting the backline excellently and Lawrence producing his best half so far this season with intelligent probing passes and movement.  A handball on the halfway line saw Tom line the ball up and with great power and direction he scored as Jake leapt out of the way in front of the keeper (0-2).  The half was nearing its end but the action was not complete with a great run by Jake jinking in from the left touchline past three players to lay the ball on to Joe.  Joe saw the keeper advancing so he quickly back-heeled the ball beyond the keeper into the goal from 10 yards –audacious and cheeky, a great way to score his first competitive goal (0-3). 

With Lawrence now leaving as he had to go to London a reorganisation was required and as usual the Ravens started the second half in jittery fashion – flicky passes, no control and panic-stations defending saw the Jags gain in the ascendancy and score with a scrappy goal (1-3).  The ravens are a funny bunch and actually seem to thrive when the game gets a bit close so they simply went up the other end and scored.  Jake flighted yet another terrific corner and Louis, this time at the back post, did the rest (1-4).  Ravens then continued to dominate but were liable to being hit on the break.  A loss of shape and some tired legs saw a thunderbolt scored from 20 yards and then a good move down our left saw a good cross and goal (3-4).  When you think the boys might cave in though their character always comes through and with Charlie now beginning to wake up and impose himself the pressure was back on the Jags.  Determined play from Jake saw a scrappy but well earned second come (3-5) and then Robert, driving down the right put in a great cross that the defender could not help but help into the net (3-6).

A very good first half performance followed by a so-so second but character and ability shone through for another fine win.  Well done boys.  This looks like a closer league and you are never safe until the final whistle so we need to keep up the good work and maintain our shape and application.

Scorers (Jake 2, Joe, Louis, Tom, Robert).

Great Horwood Ravens 4 Waterhall Stars 2
League:- 27^th September 2008

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Robert Churchill, Jonathan Kemp, Ben Adams, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster. Louis Carter, Archie James, CJ Smart, Jake Hodges.

The squad was pretty well at full strength and the football returned – particularly in the first half.  With Archie on for a single half because of his return from injury we had the balance back in the side and with Charlie on the right with Louis and Jake up front it was a very skill-full and determined front line.  Behind them, employing Lawrence at the top of the midfield diamond and Tom in defensive midfield we had shape and balance.  Ben O and Robert also meant we were strong in defence with Alex in goal after his heroics last week.  We started really well and passing and movement saw us create a number chances but no goal.  A series of corners and throw ins saw more pressure on the goal but the breakthrough came about half way through the half.  A driving run from Charlie down the right past three players and then a great cross saw Jake free in the box to slam the ball home (1-0).  Two goals followed in close succession where our work on set pieces paid off.  Two throws from Tom saw chaos in the box and Jake scored another with Charlie getting the third (3-0). 

With changes to the team (Archie now rested), Joe on up front, Ben Adams on the left, Jonathan in defence, it is always difficult to keep the momentum and while we still had a number of chances, the Stars started the half brightly and got a well-deserved goal.  Charlie moved back to the right when Jake came back on up front and this saw a terrific run from him as he went past four players and slammed the ball in to the far post (4-1).  A consolation for the Stars followed but the Ravens held off easily to wrap up their first league win of the season. 

Well done to Charlie for a much improved performance this week and a MoM performance.  Well done to the boys as well for retaining their shape and composure in the face of much intimidation from both on and off the field.

The football was back and great to see we can produce this with the 9-a-side format.

Scorers Jake 2, Charlie 2.

Flitwick Eagles Reds 0 Great Horwood Ravens 0
Penalties Eagles Reds 2: Ravens 3

Cup:- 20^th September 2008

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Robert Churchill, Jonathan Kemp, Ben Adams, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster. Louis Carter.

This match can be summed up in two words – Alex Barnes.  What a Magnificent display of goalkeeping from the boy mountain!!  Ably supported by the terrific Ben Olley, Robert Churchill and by a one-legged Tom Foster in the second half, the Ravens pulled off a great spirited performance.  Crippled by injuries again and key player absences, we were always going to struggle but we actually managed to play some good stuff in the first half without ever really looking like we would score.  Joe and Louis did a good job holding the ball up and playing around a strong defence from the Reds but no clear cut chances could be developed.  Alex pulled off a couple of saves but nothing that gave us a feeling for what was to come!

The second half came and with Tom off with a bad leg it was backs to the wall.  The highlights (from a defensive perspective):
-          Great defending from corners – good organisation and bravery (as well as a bit of luck at times!)
-          A terrific diving save from Alex
-          A goal-bound shot headed away by Ben who seemed to appear from nowhere
-          Another brave palm-away by Alex
-          A one on one with the keeper that saw Robert magically appear from the right flank to make a diving block. 

Once the bombardment of the first ten minutes passed, it became more even although we did not really threaten until the last five minutes when Ben Adams stabbed the ball just wide of the far-post from a corner.The game was over and it was now down to penalties.  Despite the view of the opposition that we had ‘fluked’ the nil-nil, it was entirely down to guts and determination from the boys with Lawrence and Tom really working their socks off.  The key was Alex though – we had the penalties won before they started because of his saves during the match and he really filled the goal when they came to take the pens.  Three saves out of five and terrific penalties from Louis, Tom and Lawrence (super-cool) saw us through.

Skin-of-the-teeth stuff but a well fought victory – well done boys (we only had ten men).  Now on to the next round!  We still need to find the right blend of the team and begin playing football but we are through and that is what counts.

Brackley Stars 3 Great Horwood Ravens 3

League :- 13^th September 2008

Alex Barnes (GK), Ben Olley, Jonathan Kemp, Ben Adams, CJ Smart, Joe Nugent, Charlie Attwell, Jake Hodges, Lawrence Rudd, Tom Foster.

In a tricky away tie for the Ravens first out, we saw a lot of determination but not much in the way of football.  We were without three players through absence and injury so it was always going to be a tough match against a well organised team with a similarly vocal coach!!!

We started slowly and were a little fortunate to get the first goal.  A good corner from Jake was bundled in by debut-boy tom at the near-post (1-0).  That was it from the Ravens in the first half in terms of quality however and a combination of sloppy passing and nervousness saw three goals scored by the Stars by half-time (3-1). 

The Ravens needed a good second half to avoid a poor start to the season and they started well.  Charlie moving to the right of midfield put more energy into the team and he laid on a beautiful pass from the right between two defenders for Jake to run on and lift the ball over the keeper with his left foot.  The half continued but became more even as both teams tired.  Fortunately for the Ravens the final breakthrough came with 5 minutes to go.  Tom threw the ball in from the right and a cheeky flick from CJ saw the ball creep in at the near post.  We nearly won it with a couple of chances at the end but a draw was a fair result.

A good effort from the boys – lots of heart after a disastrous first half but not much football so much to work on.

Scorers (Tom, Jake, CJ)