Friendly Game: Copthorne U12 vs Saint Hill Blues U12.
 
Welcome back to all and our first match of 2011, today we had a friendly match against Copthorne U12, this is a team that until recently were in Division A of our league and were a good test for our boys.
 
The match kicked off with Saint Hill playing up hill, the early signs were good and we competed well. Unfortunately we conceded the first goal after a scrappy passage of play in our area, we just couldn’t seem to clear the ball from the box and we eventually conceded when the ball came out to a Copthorne Player who slotted the ball home.

After the goal Alex unfortunately had to go off with a niggling ankle injury but this was the opportunity for Jack to make his debut for the team and came on as a straight replacement for Alex at right back.
 
After the kick off we really started to dominate the play and wasn’t long before Feddie was unlucky not to score with an attempted chip over the keeper and narrowly missing, this was then followed shortly after when Birthday boy Adam put a great pass through to Freddy and again was so unlucky to only just miss the target. You just had a feeling it was only going to be a matter of time before the goal came, and it did when Ads slotted a ball through to Benjie who scored a cracker.
 
The half was drawing to a close and we had continued to dominate the play, any chances that Copthorne had were dealt with comfortably by our defence or cleared up by the impressive Toby. Before the half ended we scored again when Freddie picked up the ball on the right and made a good run before passing the ball to Marcus who slotted home, Saint Hill went in at half time 2-1 up.
 
Soon after the second half kicked off we were awarded a free kick in the area when our pressure caused some confusion in their area and the keeper picked up the ball which the Ref. deemed a back pass, unfortunately we didn’t make the most of the free kick but we did continue to pressurise Copthorne and Jack was really unlucky not to scored when he followed up on a ball coming out to him and was only stopped by good save.
 
A third goal was coming and did come after some good work by Marcus who brought the ball in on the right and hit a shot goalwards which was hit into the net by a Copthorne player.
 
Our fourth goal came soon after when Freddie was rewarded for his efforts, Will paying the second half in his favoured midfield position put in a good ball for Freddie to latch on to and score.
 
The last goal of the game went to Copthorne, unfortunately Toby’s goal kick went straight out to a Copthorne player who hit a rocket straight over the stranded Toby.
 
The game ended and we won 4-2, this was a good solid performance against a useful team, I thought we showed no signs of rustiness from the 5 week layoff and indeed we played some very impressive one touch pass and move football, our movement off the ball was good, the defence looked a good solid unit and Toby was always there to mop up and made some confident saves.

Today I asked Jon and Jack I. to switch positions on free kicks and corners and this was a real positive, I could see that Jon’s height and physical presence in the area could provide dividends in the future.
 
Jack I's  performance today was great with some lovely link up play with Benjie and Alex, in the second half in particular their play together created some great openings.
 
Marcus too also impressed, coming back after a long layoff and scored one and made another, and was also a handful in the centre of the midfield.
 
But today I’m going to give my man of the match award to Jack D. who debuted for us today, he first played and right back when Alex got injured and then after at left back and was solid, his timing on tackles was great and overall passing and vision good also, well done Jack.
 
 
 
Goals:
 
Copthorne Goal
Benjie
Marcus
 
HT 1-2
 
OG
Freddie
Copthorne Goal
 
FT 2-4
 
Well done lads really good performance…..