An incredibly tight game on a pitch which the team was not accustomed to, but in the end a hard fought victory to keep the cup dream alive. The final goal to snatch the victory came very near to the final whistle, with the boys keeping the opposition pinned in their half, constantly forcing mistakes with their fantastic pressure. As a result of this, the ball fell to Nathan with space to shoot and he fired it into the bottom corner, sealing the win.
Nathan was our player of the match. Other than scoring the game-winning goal, his efforts throughout the game never failed to impress. His constant desire to win the ball and either start an attack by releasing his teammates in space, or driving forward to get a shot away made for the well earned gong.
We have been working on utilising an active first touch, and using our touches to beat a player. On this small pitch we had to be more cautious of our touches to ensure we retained control of the ball. We panicked a little too much on the ball today, but now we have experienced playing on a smaller pitch, we can realise the need to have closer touches and better control of the ball.
A really hard fixture for the U9 Golds as the opposition didn’t really want to play football just wanted to try and be on the ground as much as possible. Despite the physical toughness, we pushed through scoring the first from Liam with a lovely left footed finish. A mistake at the back caused us to concede pretty much straight away and we were back on the hunt for our second of the game. The next few goals came one after the other. Ezekiel helped both the other goals going in by dribbling down the line and squaring it across the box for Roka and Charlie to score.
It went to penalties and all the boys wanted to take one which was brilliant to see. It got down to the last penalty as they had missed their last two. James Gallier smashed it in off the underside of the crossbar meaning the ball when in and out and we had won the game! The opposition parents were not happy, but that’s football so well done to all!
My favourite moment had to be when Ezekiel took a free kick and it smashed against the crossbar. All of their players were on the line as they knew how dangerous he was. My player of the match has to go to Liam. His intensity and effort throughout the game, always looking for the three key actions of decision making (dribble, pass, shoot). A lot of the play came through him and he dictated a lot of the tempo.
Last weeks training focused on counter attacking. There were signs of it being used throughout the game which always makes me a little bit happier as I know they are taking in the learning. This weeks main focus is on winning the ball and having the option to recycle or create. I think this will be really important for us.
A tough game for the lads in general as we’ve not been on the best of form recently. So to come up against a good European FA side, I knew we would have to dig deep. It was a great start to the game as we went 1-0 up from a lovely run at the back post from Teddy to finish into the bottom corner.
Not long after, a long kick from the keeper caught us napping as the ball was behind us resulting in their player being put through 1v1, finishing calmly. A similar goal caused us to be 2-1 down. However, another lovely back post run from Teddy and a finish on the half volley brought us back to 2-2.
I think our energy had run out at this point as we got a bit excited so our positioning started to go awry. We allowed the opposition to have a lot of space and unfortunately conceded more goals because of this. Overall, a tough time for the Black team but I do see us getting better every week.
My favourite moment has to be when James Ssensuwa put a lovely tackle in to stop a counter attack from happening. James has been one of the most improved this season and it is showing in games. My player of the match goes to Teddy for his unbelievable finishing in front of goal and his efforts to try and track back. An argument could be made for Henry as well for his constant determination to try and get on the ball and retain it as much as possible.
Last week we looked in counter attacks, specifically the second and third man runs. Throughout the game there were loads of signs of us trying to do this even for Teddy’s goals which I was happy to see. This week we will be looking into retaining to then create. I think we need to start working on our decision making: when to recycle and when to create. Sometimes we try and force something when we are underloaded with no support.
This was a great match that demonstrated the girls’ composure. We won 6-1 with the other team playing with an extra player after we were up 3-0 early on. We had four different goals scorers which always makes me happy because it shows we are passing and moving the ball. Goals throughout the game from Robyn, Aniera, Piper, and Maisie with a hat-trick. Great support from Emily and Alex making solid passes and assists throughout.
I think one of my favourite moments had to be Robyn’s goal celebration! So much energy and determination to score that goal and the celebration equally matched in energy. Well done, Robyn. Our players of the match were Robyn and Maisie. Both players were determined to get touches on the ball and score. Good positioning and determination.
This week in training we worked again on looking up, one touch shots, and not giving up until the ball is out of bounds. I think this game all three came into play especially finishing and continuing to play the ball until it is out – several of our goals came from this. We will keep working on stretching the pitch and finding space. Good work, overall!!
My final Market Road game with this team. My final competitive match with this team. Can we finish this incredible week of with a win? Having beaten Marylebone in our tournament semi final I’m sure they had a point to prove and wanted to get revenge. Yet they didn’t realise how Bloomsbury were going to start.
We pressed them right from the off and made great decisions on the ball. The first goal was a thing of beauty. Yasser winning the ball back, playing Edgar through. He drove into the space and managed to play an outstanding pass with the outside of the foot to Chris. He took and touch and finished it underneath the keeper to make it 1-0. This was quickly 2-0, Chris scoring another goal. This was a tap in from a Deniro cross, but again, a clinical finish to 2 goals to the good.
After going 2-0 up we started to forget how to press and our desire seemed to be lacking. We conceded a sloppy goal to put the pressure on us. Rex was then needed to make a couple of big saves as we were forced to hold on a bit. But even though we weren’t playing great we still had 2 chances one on one with the keeper from Santi who just wasn’t able to apply the finish.
At half time the expectations were reiterated and the focus of ending the season with a win brought back to the fore. If they played like they did in the first 10 minutes they would have no problem. If they played like they did in the last 10 minutes, the problems had the potential of piling up.
The half started slow, again leading to a bit of a basketball like game with the play going from one side to the other. Control lacking form both teams. Rex was needed again to make some smart saves as we rushed ourselves in possession. But then one move from our goal kick led to a shot after about 8 successive passes and this gave the team some renewed confidence.
We got the third goal eventually from a corner – Alex Dearing scoring again to continue his run of goalscoring form. Santi got the final goal of the game cutting in on his right foot and powered a shot past the keeper. A solid end to the season from the Gold Team – the difference from the start of the season was evident to see.
Christian’s first goal was my highlight of the game. An outstanding outside of the foot pass from Edgar, touch from Christian and then a searing shot low into the corner. Deniro Elleston was our player of the match. Even though he didn’t score the work rate was outstanding. Making the correct decisions in possession and able to drive really well with the ball.
To improve we need to move forward with the ball and stay calm in possession. Especially when we are building possession from the back – we need to think about the best decision and being confident on the ball.
For the final and my final Sunday game with this team, all I wanted was a performance. After winning a tournament the day before, confidence was high and the team was looking forward to the game. Not even I predicted how this game would go.
From kick off I could see how the team were going to play. We moved it from one side to the other keeping possession, going back and forward making the correct decision and this continued throughout the rest of the half. A couple of half speculative half chances made through Basti, Joao and Deniro, testing the Whetstone keeper. The defensive line kept things solid with Lachlan making his Gold Team debut at the back.
The breakthrough came half way through the first half with Christian cutting in on the left hand side and playing a perfect through ball to Kurt who ran through 1v1 and put it under the keeper to make it 1-0. Soon after it was 2-0. Joao taking the throw in in the corner and then combining with Kurt – who beat the player on the touchline and curled a shot in off the post from a tight angle. The first half ended 2-0. A justified score line.
At the break we spoke about continuing the performance levels and finishing the season on a high. And boy did they do that.
Within the first couple of minutes it was 3. Edgar getting past the defenders on the right and crossing in for Basti to tap home at the back post. It was then quickly 4-0 with a very similar goal. This time it was Joao breaking down the right hand side and crossing low into the box – the only thing they could do was block the cross which diverted it into the goal. The pressure and the passing continued with Yasser constantly receiving and playing the ball. This led to 5-0 with Edgar driving at the defence, taking it onto his left foot and firing it into the far corner.
Whetstone then managed to get one goal back – a long shot effort which went over the goal keeper and into the net. The boys didn’t stop and didn’t moan and got straight back to doing what they do best – scoring goals.
A brilliant switch/cross from Kurt was played in behind the defence. Christian ran onto it to fire into the roof of the net. Alex Dearing then finished off the scoring with a bullet header from a corner. Whetstone managed to score another goal but that didn’t dampen the mood.
An unbelievable performance which encompassed everything which we have been working on in the season. An emotional day for me being my final Sunday game with the Team but a very proud manager!
My highlight was sitting back, admiring and watching how much progress this team has made throughout the season. Edgar White was our player of the match. Edgar was everywhere on the pitch both attacking and defensively. He kept the ball well and even got a goal and assist.
This week the focus was on keeping the ball and playing the simple pass. It’s also about understanding that it’s okay to play a pass backwards if it means we keep possession.
A win, that looks close, that was in the end extremely close, but that really should never have been that close. Madre Mia, what a sport. In keeping with recent Pep references, he’s known for saying that it is the role of the coach to get the ball to the goal, then the role of the players to get it in. Well lads, according to this line of logic I master-minded what should have been a comprehensive, dominant, jubilant 6-0 victory. In the end, it was anything but…
To be honest, the game was all us and I have to give the lads credit for that, especially given the key absentees. Our passing was typically crisp. We played through the lines, mixed up our passing nicely, and were generally dominant. The problem was, once again, our finishing. The amount of overload situations in the box that we failed to capitalise on was offensive. The final third entries we had. The chances… Yes Kieran, I know you scored an alright goal but you also could have had another 5 fella.
These APB man moved like Ange’s Spurs against Chelsea: high-line with absolutely no pressure on the ball. The ball over the top was on every time, but we only occasionally were able to exploit it. Kez and Ezekiel on the wings provided the runs, with our defensive duo – Archie and Chris – alongside midfield dynamos – Zizou, Maxi and Yilli – spraying the passes. It was the latter who finally broke the dead-lock for a deserved 1-0.
Unfortunately, in typical Blooms u12s fashion, we had to work so hard to get our rewards and were so quick to un-do it all; a scuffed shot somehow made its way in against stand-in goal keeper, Elijah, intent on sabotaging the boys for being forced to play between the sticks as he nurses a knee injury. Anyway, we had chances to get back into it, including when Zac-Attack bulldozed his way through the APB defence to be left completely isolated by his wing-back pairing, Kez and Ezekiel.
These lot love abnegating their defensive responsibilities but then when it actually comes to getting up the pitch to score some goals, you start moving like 40-year-old CR7: washed, uninterested, and lazy. There was, however, plenty of good examples of pressure and cover – with Zak-Attack pressing their centre-back to be backed-up by the CAMs, Zinedine, Yaro and Maxi, with the wing-backs then joining the party. We tried to go long, but the execution wasn’t always there. Fellas, some of you need to get back to the training pitch and start practicing your long-range passing.
In the second-half we continued to push and created numerous chances through the right. Eventually, so great were the volume of chances created for Kez it was inevitable that one would have to go in. Curiously, it was the hardest one of the lot: a 30-yard banger across goal. Elijah, out of goal and no longer sabotaging, was also dangerous. Next step will be to control his paces even further, slowing it down and looking to assess his best option – to pass, dribble, or shoot. This applies to a lot of you.
Disappointingly, after going a goal up our intensity dropped. And despite my calls to stick at it and reminding them there was still only one goal in it, we failed to respond accordingly. Chris tried his usual incredibly slow and ponderous passing and blind turns into pressure in an effort to tempt them back into the game. He even stamped on one of their player’s hands to get sent off and gift them a penalty, which they duly converted. 2-2. In somewhat astonishing fashion, we then went over the other end to score and make it 3-2. Archie Blu with the winning penalty and some expletives to follow that were very unusual of the polite young gentleman he normally is. You scored the winning goal, fella, I’ll let you off this time. That all happened in the final 60 seconds of play.
A curious game but definitely one where we deserved to get the three points. In hypothesising what we need to do to bridge the gap to the top of the Watford Friendly League, I’ve pin-pointed a few areas for improvement: we need a couple more players, we need to train on bigger pitches, but we also need to take responsibility and make our periods on top count: to dominate both boxes. Else we’ll never reach the heights we’re capable of. When you get into the box or the final third, be confident and bloody well make it count. When you’re in your own box, get back, get behind the ball, and defend your goal like your life depends on it.
A very hard fought draw on Sunday in the penultimate U14’s fixture at Colindale. The girls played the entire game two players down on a big pitch. However, this didn’t phase the BFA girls who played so well that the GSL organisers didn’t even notice the player disparity. Straight out the gates Bloomsbury applied pressure and attacked relentlessly. However, having less players meant that at times our crosses or passes in the final third found space that the extra players may have occupied.
Against the run of play in the 23rd minute the opposition played a ball behind our defence which their striker latched on to and fired into the goal. Despite being 1-0 down Bloomsbury came out fighting in the second half and continued to dominate the game. 28 minutes in, all our hard work paid dividends after Laura fired in a corner which O’Miya stabbed into the back of the net to draw us level. Bloomsbury then continued to attack relentlessly but just couldn’t find that final product.
At one stage in the second half the opposition found a footing and started stringing together some sustained pressure. But BFAs defence stopped most of the attacks and the one major shot they had was met by Shola. Amazingly saved. A young Mary Earps. Overall a solid performance from BFA who should all hold there heads up high.
My highlight was the relentlessness of all players, especially Jet who ran and ran and ran down the wing to make things happen for Bloomsbury. Special mention to Eleanor for her super tackles and delaying of the opposition. Players player of the match was Laura for her non stop running and attacking down the left wing. She also never failed to track back to help. Coaches player of the match was O’miya for her super stint in defence where she held the back line together and stopped most of the oppositions attacks before they could start. Her attacking pressure that led to her equaliser was also outstanding. Overall O’Miya gave 100% and left everything on the pitch. An incredible performance from her.
This week we worked on control and pressing which was on display in our game, knowing when to press and when to delay. Next week we need to keep the same energy and intensity with more players.
STARTING THE SUMMER (SORT OF) OFF STRONG!
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