The U12 boys made some good progress at their most recent tournament, gelling as a team, with some stand-out performances. We took a full eleven players includng two ‘keepers, with a couple more outfielders unavailable this weekend, which bodes well. Three of the boys were at their first ever tournament.
Slazenger (0) v (0) Chapeltown B
Slazenger (1) v (2) Pocklington
Slazenger (1) v (2) Sheffield Hallam
Slazenger (1) v (0) Thirsk B
Slazenger (0) v (0) Huddersfield
All the games were close, hard fought affairs. Against Chapeltown, we absorbed early pressure, Daniel making a couple of good saves, but gradually came alive and began to exploit our width and pace down the flanks. Chapeltown were relieved to hear the final whistle, as we were just unable to convert a number of good attacks into the telling strike on goal.
Against Pocklington, we lost discipline and paid for it as Pocklington scored two, neat breakaway goals. Kian performed well in goal, kicking clear on three occasions to clear the lines. Only in the final three minutes did we switch back on, and a neat interplay between Ryan and Chris led to a through-ball to Elliot who one on one, coolly beat the keeper. Slaz had a number of probing attacks, but just couldn’t find the equaliser.
Sheffield were the stand-out team of the day and again we were slow to switch on. Again we lost two goals early and but for some brisk interventions by Daniel it could have been more. Once again, the boys pulled themselves together and in an almost carbon-copy, Elliot scored his second of the day. Slaz proved they were a match for Sheffield in commitment if not yet in skill in the dying minutes and were again unlucky not to equalise.
Against Thirsk, a sluggish start led to Daniel having to dive and smother twice to keep us in the game. Ryan then took charge and began distributing the ball with greater vision to left and right. Linking well with Jacob and Joshua on the left, Chris and Elliot on the right (each of whom showed real commitment and greatly improved positional discipline), chances were created for Tom, Joshua, Matthew and of course Elliot who scored the only goal of the game.
Huddersfield packed the midfield, and although we created the better chances and Kian was untroubled in our goal, we couldn’t find the finish some neat play deserved.
Players of the tournament – Elliot and Daniel, although they all improved markedly. MIP was Joshua, showing real skill on the right wing.
