The opening match of 2005 saw Wickham's Under 11 mini soccer side play the Under 9's team. The U11's kicked off and were constantly on the attack. After 3 minutes of pressure a shot from Thomas Saunders found the back for the net to put the 11's one up. The 9's were struggling against the more physical 11's so the smallest two gave way to William and Aiden with the latter having a great half up front. The 9's started to get back into the game, but Ben made a brilliant save to keep the score at 0-1. Finally the U9's had their first real attack with 3 minutes of the half remaining. A throw in, near the corner flag, went over the initial line of defenders and through to Karl. Despite him running across the goal to his left he hit a drive with his weaker left foot to score.
The second half was a total reversal of the first, as the 9's pushed forward, spending most of the half in the 11's box. No real clear cut chances were created but there were a number of goal line scrambles which the 11's managed to clear. Two drives into the box first hit Jordan and then Josh but both deflections went wide. Eventually time was up with no addition to the score.
Under 11's (in Blue)
Felix Gialombardo, Jack Bale, Dominic Tebbett, Alex Egan, Alex
McIntosh, Thomas Saunders
Subs: Thomas Herrington, Alexander Weekes, Alex Gell, Andrew
Warren
Under 9's (in Red)
Ben Grey, Declan Hess, Jordan Shaw, Josh Way, Thomas Philips,
Karl Adams, Lewis Holborn.
Subs: William Herrington, Aiden Weeks
The second match again saw the 11's kick off and again they dominated the initial stages. Midway through the half the u9's defence and been pulled apart so that a cross from the left found Felix unmarked at the back post for an easy tap in goal. The U9's pushed forwards but never got a shot on target. It was during one of these attacks that the 11's were to score again. With the U9's having three players back there seemed no trouble but they all left the ball to each other leaving Alex Gell a clear run on goal and he neatly tucked the chance away.
Facing a 2-0 deficit and Declan, who had played an excellent gate at the back, having to go both subs were used with Thomas Philips making way. The second half was almost a replica of the first match as the U9's had chance after chance scrabbled away. Shots which did come in were well saved by Thomas Herrington. With 5 minutes to go Josh cut inside from the left and hit a shot across the goal and into the far corner. The U9's were now pressing forward but a breakaway saw Thomas Saunders one on one with Ben, but as Ben came out, Thomas blasted over. With a minute left and more U9's pressure the ball was partially cleared to Karl who hit a rising drive from 12 yards out into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. With time running out one last U9's attack saw William go down the left, as he crossed the ball into the middle, with Jordan and Karl waiting, the final whistle went making the score 2-2.With the U7's probably deserving to win the first match, and the U11's the second, two draws were probably a fair result.
Under 11's (in Blue)
Thomas Herrington, Jack Bale, Alexander Weekes, Alex Gell, Andrew
Warren, Felix Gialombardo, Alex McIntosh,
Subs: Dominic Tebbett, Alex Egan, Thomas Saunders, Ellis Ball
Under 9's (in Red)
Ben Grey, Declan Hess, Aiden Weeks, William Herrington, Thomas
Philips, Karl Adams, Lewis Holborn.
Subs: Josh Way, Jordan Shaw.