U11’s last pre season match – Navenby JFC v Great Ponton
22nd September 2013
Navenby played their last friendly before the league starts next weekend. With both Kieron and Noah missing, the game was played at 8v8. Great Ponton had 2 substitutes
U11’s last preseason match – Navenby JFC v Great Ponton
22nd September 2013
Navenby played their last friendly before the league starts next weekend. With both Kieron and Noah missing, the game was played at 8v8. Great Ponton had 2 substitutes. The weather was extremely warm. Sammy played in goal as he was carrying a small injury, with Al, Harvey and Jess in defence. Ryan and Kyle played in midfield with Tom playing behind Ollie upfront. The game was played in 4 quarters of 15 mins. The game kicked off and the Navenby defence was all over the place with the 3 players not communicating and playing Great Ponton onside at every attack. The first quarter was therefore a nightmare with Great Ponton scoring 6 goals and going in 6-0 infront. A stern word from Kyle inspired the whole team and it was like watching a different team as the defence played brilliantly and marshalled the attackers very well. Navenby were assisted by Great Ponton’s goalkeeper picking up a back pass. From the resulting free kick Ollie blasted the ball home. With their tails up Navenby then went on to score 3 further goals in the quarter all from Ollie after some excellent through balls from the defence and Ryan in midfield. At half time the score was 6-4 to Great Ponton. The next 2 quarters were very even with chances at both ends and ultimately with the hot conditions and lack of substitutes Great Ponton scored 3 further goals. However for 45 minutes of this game Navenby were better than Great Ponton (winning 4-3) who are arguably one of the best teams in the league. Sammy in goal played very well and could do little to stop most of the goals. His kicking was good and he distributed the ball very quickly. The back 3 of Al, Jess and Harvey were much better organised after the first 15 mins and will hope to continue like that next week. Ryan in midfield made several charging runs and very nearly scored whilst Kyle did the very simple easy passes and played one excellent ball through. Tom linked up well with Ollie upfront and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Ollie took his goals very well and could have had at least 2 more, his pace gives the team the advantage if they can continue to play the balls through early to him as they did in the second quarter. Overall this was a very good performance for 45 minutes and if they can carry on like that next week at Pointon then they will have a good chance of competing in the game.
