New Opposition

Of the eight or so friendly fixtures we tried to set up for today, it had to be the furthest team away that were the only ones who agreed to play us! Today's opposition were an U10 team from Avishayes in the Yeovil league, which included a few U9s too. They were new to each other and it's fair to say that for long periods of the game it showed.

The game started with a flurry of Wells attacks which resulted in us hitting the post twice, before the deadlock was broken by Rory, who latched onto a loose ball following good pressing from Alfie high in their area. The Avishayes team were defending very deep, and in large numbers, which invited us to continue pressing very high. The downside to this was that the penalty area was often full of bodies making clean strikes on the ball hard to come by.

Alfie soon doubled the lead with a low strike from another loose ball in the area, before Rory struck twice more - the first of which came after great build-up play from Shea.

Shortly before half-time came the goal of the day... Ben took a foray into the opposition box and when the ball got floated in he back-heeled it over his own shoulder and timed the perfect volley into the roof of the net. Outstanding technique and something to remember for a long time to come.

Immediately after half-time and straight from the kick-off came the move of the match. Wells kicked off and three passes later Edwin rounded the last defender and played Rory through for an easy tap-in past their keeper. That was followed immediately but another attack and shot on goal from Rory which was well saved by the keeper but dropped to Edwin 10 yards out who hit it low and hard into the bottom corner.

Shea bagged another after following up from another good save off of an Edwin strike, and then some fantastic work down the left from Corbyn released Kosmo to bag his first of the game after a switch of positions was made throughout the team in an effort to share the spoils and even the contest slightly.

The match was closed off from a tap-in finish by Kosmo after more great attacking work by Rory down the right wing.

It was great to see the lads showing greater enthusiasm for laying on opportunities for others than to simply bag goals for themselves, and they always tried to play their football despite the playing surface being far from ideal.

Man of the match: (aside from the Avishayes keeper who was outstanding) was Rory. His ventures carried the team forward time and again, and it doesn't go unnoticed how he is able to instruct his teammates on the pitch, inspiring them to show equal levels of endeavour.
Goals: Rory (4), Kosmo (2), Alfie, Ben, Edwin, Shea

Thanks to the all parents who made the long journey down!