Sporting Football Club

Last game of the season and a win was needed to get the 30 points I wanted at the start of the season, was I disappointed??

Well we start very well and some cracking play came out of Ryan and Jamie who just seemed to know were each other were with the ball whipping in and Ryan getting on the end of it. Here we go so I thought lets get ready to rumble. Some great crosses in and some fine footwork by all, defence only made one mistake today but the midfield could have handled the centre part of the pitch a lot better than they did. But we were just to much for Silver Star Sports, attack after attack and we just kept going and the ball just kept ending into the back of the net. So as I say the defence only made one mistake and that mistake cost us a goal. If only we had learned from other games that if you go forward you have to get back, and help. Too many lazy players take the easy option. But we hade the strike force to put this right and put it right we did with an amazing 7 goals in the first half, I did ask for eight as I wanted the 2^nd half to be changed and let the players that had not scored to have a go as it was the last game.

I asked for a change at half time and let the others who had not scored the opportunity to have a pop at goal, and yes they may be fast but they just seemed to lack that little power in their shot and it was not meant to be, so I switched it back again with 3 min’s to go and this is were the eight goal came from. We have had a good run this season and I think next season we will be the team to watch. I will not dwell to much on what happened at the end of the game but I will just say this ……..to both players involved this is your final warning, if it happens again you are gone. Language will not be tolerated by me during or at the start or end of the game.

Man Of The Match

Today’s game saw our opponents Sheldon Wood Royals take the lead and score a 2^nd through bad defending mistakes; this was soon rectified by a belter of a goal from Daniel. But this was still only 2-1; we were then awarded a penalty from which Ryan B scored with ease. Half time loomed and it was 2-2. The first half was much of a muchness with both teams trying to get the ball in the back of the net at either end. I thought the ref was having not that a good game as everything seemed to go Sheldon’s way.

Half time 2-2

After a strict talking to Sporting changed formation and made a sub which seemed to pay dividends as Sporting took the lead with a shot from Ryan which found the back of the net. A much better display of football from Sporting who were now on the up and started to play FOOTBALL. Passing was the name of the game and passing Sporting did, very well in fact with the midfield playing better than they ever have and using the spare man that they seemed to create with this new formation. A sweet one two between Stef and Andre who then passed to Jamie to blast it into the net. Sheldon seemed to be on the back foot. But they changed pace and went at Sporting with everything they had with cross and shot and 50-50 balls with our keeper and their front runners, but just could not make that breakthrough. It was then put out of reach by a wonderful ball through to Jamie who at last had left his marker and made Sheldon pay the price 2-5

Again it was nice to see Parkfield’s manager and coach come to the game, and both said what a joy it is to watch our team.

Full Time

Sheldon Wood Royals 2

Sporting F.C. 5

Man of the match

Not a lot to say about this one, so I will place here a quote from the opposition’s manager

Quite simply the best team we have played against all season on both occasions

Lads I think That say's it all!!

Well done to Parkfield for winning the League and we hope to sse you in the cup sometime next season.

Man Of The Match

Today for the third time we played Lyndon Colts.

Today we played as a team, we moved forward as a team, we tracked back as a team. This made it very hard to give man of the match as all played very well. This should now be the start of something good but perhaps a little too late. We will stay in 4th position which is a shame. On todays performance you would have thought we were top, with the flowing movement from all within the team.

Big G had his first taste in goal for the whole game and Scott had his first game in defence, both played well. Mike had a shot at goal and in it went. Steff took a couple of players on and found the back of the net with a rocket of a shot. Ryan just seemed to fly in the air with a rocket straped to his back to net his headed goal. Jamie with his first shot within the first few secounds found the back of the net. Reale battled all game and made some telling passes. James for once played a blinder of a game and tracked back very well. Jacob stuck to his marker and kept Lyndon at bay. Andre with his deft flicks kept control of the midfield. And then there was Aarron who did not put a foot wrong all game, even with his dodgey knee.

Great team performance, but we do need to keep it up.

Final Score 0-7

Man Of The Match

Today for me was the perhaps the main reason we have not done so well this season.

COMMUNICATION, or the lack of it and the fact that players turn on thier own players. Football is a team game and some of my players still fail to see what a team game is. I do not understand why in training you were all passing and moving and calling names out, but yet when you come to a match day you all seem to have the memories of goldfish! Today we lacked SPEED we lacked MOVEMENT, what we did do was give the ball away too easily, we moaned at our own players, we moaned at the linesman we moaned at the ref. What we should have been doing was closeing down the oppersition and creating the space to pass the ball to each other. The Glebe made it look to easy, they tried with heart and soul. They did what they were asked of them. They kept the line, they tackled, they took their chances, THEY PASSED THE BALL.

Final Score 5-5

A Very Well Deserved Man Of The Match Goes To

A Game, which for the first time saw us take on Silver star sports. After last weeks tradgedy, would we have the same or will the training we did Saturday and the pep talk work??

Well for a change they actually listened and played football with the grit and determination and the passing ablity that we have all come to know. At last after 2 years of my coaching life they had got it right for only the second game in their short Sporting lifes did they actually play as a team who wanted to win. And win they did with some good movement and actually talking to themselfs during the game. The only thing I will say bad about the performance was that they did not pass enough!! The flowing movement was a joy to watch, the whole team played as if they had played together for years, knowing were to pass the ball, knowing were to put that timely block in. I just now need to work on there attitude. If this combination of grit-determination-passing-tracking back and shooting is displayed in every game then they will have nothing to worry about ever again!!!!!!!!!!!

Final Score 9-0

Man Of The Match

I have left this report for ages to do as I am still bemused at the way we played.

Everything seemed to just get passed us at a rate of knots. Something I do not want to see happen again. We had one player who made the grade that weekend and the others need not have turned up. It seemed to much of an effort to win the ball, Sheldon made us look very bad indeed.We can now kiss goodbye any chance of gaining promotion. Now we are playing for pride. If you all whish this to happen then you all need to look at yourselfs and think what could I have done better.

Score 2-9

Man Of The Match

Todays game had a frosty start to it and the ball was bounceing everywhere. I can not belive that the game was played in a disgraceful way with foulmouthed children. I have been watching and playing football for may a year and what I witnessed today was shocking for the u12's age group.

Hacking, punching, shirt pulling, name calling, face pushing and  HEADBUTTING. I lost count of how many penalties we should have had. Most of our lads rose above this and won with a confidence that they have been lacking recently.

They all will get man of the match, why i might have you asking .....because of what they had to put up with its that simple. I cannot say to much else as a report has been sent in.

1-6

A very well done goes to all the Lads.

Not a lot I can say about this one, Both teams went for it but both teams only played small amounts of football, it was quite a lot of hoof ball from both teams, and not many chances begging at all. It was a close game were if either side had of passed the ball then they would have taken control of the game.Not happy at the end of the game when both sets of players were moaning amongst themselfs. LADS YOU CAN STILL BE BOOKED AND FINED BY THE REF, if I hear anything like that again then you will be fined by ME £25.00. We are Sporting Fc not Moan Fc!!

Man Of The Match for an Outstanding First half performance

Big G

I wont do a match report for this game as it might place the club in to disripute, only 2 things to say Lino - REF.

Man Of The Match

Matthew Smith

What a game of football! Yes it was windy, wet and muddy but what a game of football.

Both sides gave it their all but to be fair I think Sporting took the edge in that game as we scored first with some fine passing and moving off the ball, and with the wind against Warriors it was always going to be a hard time for them. 3 goals came quick and fast for Sporting as the front two started to gel again (at last). But then Warriors took advantage of some terrible goalkeeping from us which gave them another quick 3 goals to them. Was it going to be one of those games? Then Warriors A took the advantage and went 3-4 up. This was just the stepping stone Sporting needed to have a go back with some moves of quality. 4-4

Half Time came round quick as this was an entertaining match.

The wind did not help both teams at all but we thought we would be on the back foot with the wind against us this half, as Warriors scored first in this half, but warriors did not push us hard enough and they only ventured in our half 5 times as we kept the pressure on them with some fine footwook and detemination from the lads to make it a cracking draw 5-5. To be fair to Warriors they made their subs frequentley were we only made one, we should have won this game but a draw will do me as the push for the title is now in the hands of four teams.

A very well done to both teams on a very windy day.

Final score 5-5

Man Of The Match

Jacob H-Jones

I am not going to say a fat lot as you all need to look at your performances in training and on the field of play. Moaning at your own team mates again will not wash with me anymore. Show me you can play as I know you can, then we wont loose by so many. What went wrong ....... simple

the ball bounced all over the place, nobody looked up, nobody got into space, nobody was quick enough to get back, when you have both your strikers running back to defend then we know there is something wrong. Every shot was amied at the keeper.

Lads take a good look at yourselfs, you wont win games by playing like that.

Fair play to Mackadown everything that they did payed off for them, if they keep playing like that then they wont have to much to worry about.

Final Score 2-7

Man Of The Match

Jordon Millard

What can I say about the lads performance today???

First half was rubbish, second half we won. Its that simple. Commitment from 99% of the lads. Good job it was only the cup and not a league match as I am still fumming at the way we gave 4 goals away so easily. There is going to be some big changes for the next half of the season. Starting with our next game on the 30th of this month. I am pleased however at some players actually coming back in defence to help and then get back up the field and NOT MOAN. Two craking goals from RB and some great play from the wing on both sides.Solihull Saints came out from the blocks to win and they won the game in the first half and credit goes to them and all the best for the next round.

Full Time 2-7

Man Of The Match With out Shadow of a doubt

On a day that started out with rain dropping down from the sky with a lot of harshness, Sporting F.C. turned up and started to do their warm up. The ref turned up, parents turned up and even the mascot dog turned up. The ref asked me if they had turned up and the answer was simply no. So the ref waited untill 2:10 and awarded us the win.

Next round will we be so lucky???????

Short sharp but sweet is the way I would describe the outing today. Short sharp and sweet is the way we lost also to a team that wanted it more than we did. I do not understand how you can mess about before the start of the game and expect me to talk to you all when your attention is to look around at what is going on instead of listening to me. It showed as you did not listen during the game, I asked you to drop in to spaces and play simple triangles. But instead you decided to play your own game. This was the reason we lost today you did not listen!! I cannot think of what else to say today. As everything we have taught you went out the window, has the pressure got to you??? I do not know. I see wonderful movement at training all the time but come game time you just do what you want to do. There were some movements that impressed me today from some of you, but giving me attitude does not bode well. Back to basics for some of you that is the only way, I hope this is a one off and will not be repeated again. Next week is your chance to show me what you are made of!

Well done to Coleshill Heath Colts

Man of the match and Sporting’s only scorer

On a cold a very wet day were the ref did not turn up I had to ask Pete to step in as ref and Paul as linesman.

The pitch was not the best but some ground working skills by myself and Pete made sure the lads could play football. After all that was what we were here for!

Oh and just on another note I wont call a game off because it is wet, if under 10’s can play in this weather then so can WE.

Before I start the match report, I would like to thank ALL parents from both sides who turned up today as it was miserable weather to contend with. And both lino’s.

My lads needed to show me how Sporting can play the game, as the last game we had was a bit of a downturn, however we did go down a goal pretty early as Leafield came to us to play football (well the lads did anyway!). This did not bode well with us so Sporting took hold of the game and went back at Leafield and scored within a matter of minuets score 1-1. Then Leafield had one cleared of the line, were the ball went behind Scott but he managed to hold the ball on the line, but hey ho it is kid’s football and some of the comments made to the ref and the lino have not gone unheard!!!

Should we have gone ahead with this game? The answer quite simply was YES!!!

So Sporting kept on and on at Leafield but somehow we were always offside. So we started to play football instead and some good quality football was played. Passing the ball around moving off the ball blocking the ball trying to read were the ball was going, at last I thought! Then the ball ended up in the net from a side shot outside the box ( happy days ) 2-1 This brought a new lease of life to Sporting, who just kept attacking for the next 8 mins then Leafield took charge and tried to attack back with some nice movement of their own the ball whizzed across the penalty area on a couple of occasions, normally Scott would handle this well, but today he did not, so I was thinking of the change already but left him to his devices to see if he would PICK THE BALL UP but no he had given up this game. Then all of a sudden Sporting took the break and leapt up the field with vigour and the ball found its way into the back of the net again 3-1 half time.

After being asked by their manger to turn things round quickly so we did not have to stop out in the rain, It was Sporting who took to the field FIRST to get ready with even more energy than before, and soon Sporting went on the offensive with Jamie, Stefan, Ryan T and Ryan B all wanting to score goals and score they did, however we did get a penalty (but we wont talk about that will we Ryan T) Leafield did manage to pull another one back, due to the wet ground, to be honest I did not see it as I was taking the coats into the hut to try and keep dry for when the lads came off at full time. What I will say about to day is Lads on both teams played as they could due to the weather conditions, we could have scored more goals if we weren’t always offside!!!. Leafield gave it a go and played at times some good football, perhaps we will meet again when it is dry.

Full Time 8-2

Not sure as to who scored Leafields goals as the match sheet has not been filled in.

Sporting scorer’s

Jamie Wheeler 2  Ryan Butcher 2 Stefan Blake 2 Ryan Tierney 2

Man Of The Match

Was Aaron Johnston however they will all be Man Of The Match as they all played a lot better.

Photos for this will be taken this weekend come rain or shine.

What do you do with players that don’t listen? What do you do with players that keep getting distracted?

Today’s game should have seen more goals than it had, it should have also have seen some more passing and moving than it had. As you can probably tell I am a little bit miffed at the way we won this game. How did we not score MORE!!!!!  We only won this game due to 4-6 players that wanted to play a game of football and not just hit and hope. This is probably the worst game I have witnessed as a manager, if it had been a better team then we would have been beat. Arden HAVE improved but we lacked the pace, the first time ball, the get to the ball first, the determination to be first ALL THE TIME. Arden did a very good job with the back line and kept our strikers out, and I mean a very good job!! Their midfield battled to get the ball forward but we just edged it at the back. Scott you read the ball well for another CLEAN sheet. Our midfield was a miss mash of do we go here do we go there? This has to stop you are given your position so STICK TO IT. Defensively we did not work together, we played them on too many times, I don’t mind you going forward but when you do not get back quick enough then don’t go forward. It is a good job that we have a little player who was man of the match to get the ball out of the way and to make some CRACKING CHALLENGES. Big G I saw you make the tackle of the game it was a close thing today matey. I cannot say who won the first or second half as we made them look good. Daydreaming does not win games lads but it is another 3 points, that we were lucky to pick up. As regards the free kick at the end of the game I still don’t see how a free kick was given the other way when the lad was nudged of the field?????????????????

Full Time

Sporting F.C.                2

Arden Forest Youth      0

Man Of The Match

On a windy day first thing in the morning after a heavy night out. Would you want to be standing in the rain and cold just to watch the lads play footy???

Well the short answer was yes but my brain was saying no, but here we go that’s kid’s football for you.

Sporting went on all out attack today against our opponents, with some slight changes as players have not been turning up for training over the last couple of weeks, but did it have any good effect? Again yes was the answer with Sporting going for goal all the time being helped by the wind, but not being helped by the size of the small goal’s that we were up against. I knew from the last game at home that they would try and close down a couple of our players so it was time for a different direction in play. Short sharp passing should have been the key to this one but did the lads take any notice, nope they decided amongst themselves to play the ball over the top. But it was too windy for that. But having the wind against them made Lyndon make a few mistakes from the back and Sporting pounced on every ball that they could to open up the score. Sporting went in front with at last some good football instead of the high ball. It was being passed around and played on the floor. RB scored to make it 0-1. This gave Sporting that edge they needed and again we just kept on going, but Lyndon tried twice in the first half to get past a solid defence who cleaned the ball away to safety every time. Sporting went on the attack again and found that when they pass the ball around we score, RB number 2 making it 0-2. Half time was only just round the corner with myself deciding to make a few changes when up pops Jordon on to a loose ball to hit the ball sweetly into the back of the net 0-3 HALF TIME

I made the changes and asked the lads to keep it down in this half as we had the wind against us, and it would be tougher this half. They listened and started off as they did in the first half and kept Lyndon in their own half, but the wind spoilt it when the ball kept going out of play both sets of lads were being hard done by the ref as the ball bounced in and out of play for at least 3-4 min’s. But then Sporting went on the attack with some fine football and Jordon found himself in space again 0-4. Lyndon took the kick and it was Sporting who went up against if for a short while when Sporting broke and Stefan and Jamie linked up well for Stefan to smash it in 0-5. By now Sporting were in control of the game and just kept on pushing forward, and MAN OF THE MATCH just happened to be in amongst it all today took his time and placed his goal towards the top end of the net 0-6. You would think this was the end of the game but no Lyndon for their due did not give up the fight and battled to get back at Sporting and then a shot went to wards Scott who had to be fair a quiet game and it rolled under his legs to be kept on the line or was it but the ref gave it 1-6. At least it was a consolation goal or so I thought, but this gave Lyndon the bit of fight that they deserved and with renewed vigour they started to have a go and a well flighted pass found one of their players and it was or seemed to be a one on one and they scored.

2-6. Was the match over no their was still time to play and Sporting again took the advantage of the mistakes that Lyndon made in defence and RB booted the ball home which hit the keeper in the face (hope he is alright) this made it a final score of 2-7.

Shame it was so windy it might have been a different game.

Lyndon Colts scorer's

sorry i dont have your names.

Sporting scorer's

Ryan Butcher 3 Jordon Millard 2 Arron Johnston 1 Stefan Blake 1

Man Of The Match

Four players missing, due to illness and holidays. So it was up to the lads to show the way. Some changes had to be made and three players played out of position for this game. But as a team did we play well?

Well Hampton also had players out in fact they had only 7 men to our 10 but what an entertaining game from the off, with mistakes being made from both sides and some rather dubious offside’s given. But it was Hampton who took the lead first, whilst we were still messing about as normal. You ask the team to get a grip and all they want to do is mess about just as if it were a training match! But this game was by no means a training game for the lads. We do not play tough arm tactics as did Hampton which they did to good effect as our boys were getting more fed up with this and started to moan. So it looked like Hampton had won the first half with their toughness. As I have said at the start of this game we had to battle against 7 men who wanted to win the game and it was not long before they hit the back of the net again to make it 2-0. Again it was due to the fact we had 3 players in wrong positions and positions they did not know. It was time for Sporting to step it up a gear and step it up we did and towards the final 5 minuets of the first half we scored and at half time it was 2-1 to Hampton.

During the half time talk it was the first time this season I had to give them a rollicking, which they all knew they deserved, did it work though?

Short answer to this is no they did not listen to a word that was said to them; they still played out of position and did not PASS THE BALL ON THE GROUND. However we broke through and this time Ryan smacked it home 2-2.  On we went again but Hampton took control of the game again and they started to take the advantage and again it lead to another goal 3-2. I was having I’m sure of it heart attack after heart attack as we just did not make the extra players count. Then we just started to play football and off we went and started to play, with some fine footwork from Aaron who was badly kicked but never went down in the box he carried on as if to take the advantage but the ref then blew for a penalty. Aaron was asked to take it as this is the rules we have set in stone but he gave the ball to Jamie. Enough said 3-3. Again we never made the extra players count and Hampton came back at Sporting, but this time we decided to defend and defended well with some dazzling running from Ryan B who twice kept us in the game with that speed of his. With only 5 minuets left it was time to play football and perhaps with the best move of the game we nicked it to the next round with the ball hitting the back of the net from the man of the match to make it 3-4.

I must say a very well done to Hampton who with 7 men made it a cracking game, and can keep their heads held high. No shame in the way they lost today.!!

Full Time 3-4

Hampton Scorer’s sorry I don’t have your names

Sporting Scorer’s

Ryan Butcher 2  Stefan Blake 1 Jamie Wheeler 1

Man Of The Match

What do you say about today? Top table clash? First time the teams have played each other.

Well what I witnessed today from the boys in black and blue and the hoops of green and white, was a game of FOOTBALL. The ref and even the spectators gave this game a thumb’s up. I have waited to do this match report as I still do not know what to say. Both teams played with passion, both teams played good quality football, some of which will not be played in any other division, and that is fact. End to end game. One penalty miss which we should have scored with, however their keeper had a blinder of a game as did ours. Keep it up lads! The midfield tussle was outstanding from both sides; both forwards on both sides were held at bay by both sets of defence’s. It would be a good strike that would beat either keeper or a mistake by either team that would win the 3 points in this game. As it stayed 0-0 until 5 minutes to go until the end of the game it was Parkfield Boys who made the last chance count and scored from a mistake by our defence. I could go on about this game but I will not as I don’t want it to take this game from anybody as it was a cracking game played in spirit by both teams, FOOTBALL at it’s best.

I ENJOYED EVERY PASS EVERY SHOOT EVERY SAVE OF THIS GAME. A VERY WELL DONE GOES TO BOTH TEAMS!!!!!!

Man Of The Match

Sporting had for a change an early kick off which I don’t think helped them in the first 20 min’s of the game as It was a mish mash of missed opportunities and some poor defensive work (for a change). Mackadown came at Sporting and with the help of the small pitch and small goals made light work of the fact that they wanted to win. The ball just seemed very small as was the pitch; however it was Sporting that scored first. It took us 20 minutes to do this which I was not happy about and made the lads aware of this at half time. I asked for 10 goals not 1 lets get this sorted but Mackadown scored which made it 1-1 by half time. I started with a different keeper this game, he did what I asked of him. So would the second half be any better? Yes is the right answer and Sporting went at Mackadown at every opportunity, but again only started to play football with 7 minutes to go. You should all be playing like this for 60 minutes lads. It is a joy to watch when you do this!! The second half was not a mish mash of missed opportunities it was good football from both sets of lads, Nice to see that we can all play together and defend better. Again I was impressed by you all but some more match fitness needs to be done, James some of those headers were blinding! Jordon it was a shame you did not get much of the ball in this game, Little G does what it say’s on the tin, Dan you took your chances well, Stef command that midfield, Jacob mmmmmm durcell springs to mind, Big G did what I asked, Aarron lets get you tougher, Ryan danger man, but small pitch does not suit you, Mike command that back 4, Matthew getting better all the time, Jamie nice to see you on the score sheet after your lay off, Ryan T perhaps one of your best games you have played, Scot don’t give the ball away so easily.

Mackadown 1

Sporting 7

Jamie Wheeler 4  Daniel O’Brien 2  Ryan Butcher 1

Man Of The Match

Where do you start today? I have said to the lads I want the league if you want a cup or shield then you will have to work for it. And work for it they did.

Arden knew how Sporting were going to play or did they? Sporting’s plan was to play it on the ground this time, on some occasions yes but most of the time no. What pleased me today was the fact that some players were in different positions and did their job well. Namely Big G and Little G. Keep it up please lads. Jacob had to my mind perhaps one of his best games for Sporting so far, all he can do is keep on improving. What I did notice is that for the first time in a long time you are starting to WORK together and not just for yourselves which was very pleasing indeed. With only one sub as one player is away on holiday and one play still injured, Sporting started this game just like the others going for goal, it must be hard for RB on his own as it is starting to show only after 3 games, Jordon I asked for a goal and yep you scored well done that man. Dan what happened dude were was my goal?????

Play was tough as Arden tried to break down our defence again but they held firm on more than one occasion. Big G did what was asked of him he kept that ball from going through even though he took some crunching tackles. So it was decided to rest him for 15 min’s at half time. Which I think did the trick as he came back on with more vigour than before. Give nothing away from Arden they have some fine players who can play, but Sporting Stopped them in their tracks apart from once were they managed to score, which I will be honest I missed as I was getting my change’s ready.

Ryan you were unlucky with the lob, I think the wind just got hold of it and it just went wide. All in all the lads played for themselves today, I asked nothing from them, it was all down to them. If they want to win and get trophies then they will play as a team and win some and today that is what they did. So now on to the next round, but first we have a league match to contend with.

Full Time

4-1

Sporting scorer’s

Ryan Butcher 2  Jordon Millard 1  Stefan Blake 1

Arden Forest

Sorry I don’t have your name.

Man Of The Match

Today we played Lyndon Colts, but did Sporting play, Not as they should have.

1^st half saw Sporting attack Lyndon Colts and every opportunity, the wind did Lyndon Colts no favours at all but Sporting should have taken all the advantage but we seemed to be sluggish to every challenge and every tackle. When Sporting started to play football as it should be played then they are unstoppable. But I did not see enough of that from today’s performance. We need to improve in a big way. However Lyndon did give as good as they can and battle they did but the pace of our lad was just too much for them, and the first goal went our way. For the first time in ages Sporting actually got the offside rule down to a tee. With a free kick awarded to Lyndon Colts they tried to lift it over the line of players that just stood firm and the free kick went back our way. This happened on a couple of occasions which made for some quick thinking from our boys. A loose ball came out from a corner and Sporting lifted it back in towards goal but it went in out of the keepers hand 2-0.

2^nd half was to be different as the wind was in our faces but Lyndon did not take advantage of this and we battled to keep them in the middle of the park with too many of our players going far too far upfront and not getting back quick enough. But a lucky break from us gave us a chance not to miss and made it 3-0. Lyndon Colts tried to break our defence down and kept trying but Sporting blocked their every move. With another chance going Sporting’s way we took the ball up field and slotted yet another goal 4-0. On the only chance I can remember Lyndon having at goal they took our defence on and it looked like it was half a dozen of one and half a dozen of the other and Lyndon scored through an own goal by Sporting ( clean sheet now gone)

4-1. Time to change the play a little as it was getting slightly stiff in midfield and Sporting started to play football again and with another 2 goals coming our way, one of them with a little deft chip over the keeper from 20 yards. 6-1 All in all we need to play better and we know we can.

Full Time 6-1

Sporting Scorer’s

Ryan Butcher 1  Stefan Blake 4  James Blundell 1 Ryan Teirney 1(og)

Man Of The Match

The time has now come to see if the hard training has worked over the summer months. Our first game of the season and the first real test of the lads as a team. Today we are away to Arden Forest. They have some new players and a new manager, so would it be like last season? 1 draw and 3 wins to us? Only time will tell us. New league and a couple of new teams to test our lads. Let’s hope it is the right start for us and 3 points in the bag. Now on to the game.

Sunny afternoon slight wind and a team ready to go? Or so I thought. Cough Cough Mr Blake late again. We will keep our eyes on that one.

First half and away we went straight for goal just as before, direct approach and it showed as Arden’s defence could not keep up with our pace at the front, I decided to play a 4-5-1 formation as we were down a player and for a time it worked well. The ball being placed up front for our forward to pounce on it like a leopard. Pounce he did with accurate finishing making it 0-1. First goal of the season and here we go, our midfield kept Arden at bay with I thought a strong defence. But Arden did try and get through us, but we stopped them and went on the attack again this time with Aaron making his mark on his first goal of the season. Perhaps it was to early to tell how the game was going to go, and low and behold Arden then went on the attack and lifted a ball just over our keepers hands 1-2. Please don’t let this happen to me not this stage of the season, but then again Arden broke through our defence and made it 2-2. Some strong words from me during that time and again a forward march on goal came from a corner with James slotting it home making it 2-3 at half time.

2^nd Half and some changes were made. We went to a 4-4-2 formation with perhaps some players not understanding how to play a 4-4-2 formation, I gave chance’s for some players to play a different role but in the first part of that half we were up against it with Arden getting their 3^rd and rightly so, with some bad marking by ourselves which let us down not just on this occasion but on many. It was now time to step it up a gear and to be fair Arden did make it a little difficult for us to play our game but then all of our players had had enough and started to play how they can play and went for Arden’s goal all the time with shot after shot, some counting and some just missing. But goals they did come another 3 for man of the match and 1 for Stefan who again worked hard in midfield. Who knows it could have been more……..

Full Time 3-7

Arden Forest  3 (sorry I don’t have your names)

Sporting F.C. 7 (Ryan Butcher 4  Stefan Blake 1 James Blundell 1  Aaron Johnston 1)

Man Of The Match