An outstanding victory for so many reasons. Not only did the U14s redeem their loss in the reverse fixture of this game where they were beaten comfortably, but the goal that gave them the win was a perfect exemplification of the training sessions during the week.
Clear cut chances were few and far between; a stern defensive performance from both teams especially from Bloomsbury’s Prince and Victor, impressing once again as the destroyers in the base of midfield, constantly breaking up the opponent’s attacks and counters.
Third quarter had concluded, and the game was still deadlocked: the message to the boys was to stay calm and be patient for their opportunities, but be prepared to take them when they come…
Straight from the training ground: Ale broke away on the counter and was supported by Beckett whose positive decision-making allowed us to create the dangerous 2v1 situation which proved fruitful, as he slotted home to give us the lead against Woking. There was still a lot to do, close out a game that was just handed a spicy ending, and the U14s did it with some class, managing the last four minutes so professionally, sapping the energy out of the game earning them their first and well-fought win in the Junior Premier League this season.
Special mention to Dylan whose recovery runs were superb, preventing counter-attacks every time and his calmness was also seriously impressive, not losing a 1v1 duel all game, and credit to the whole team improving to such an extent, a lot stronger than previous weeks winning the ball 1v1, understanding last week’s learnings within ‘defending 1v1’, and applying them impressively. The hope is that this performance will hammer home how important that phase of the game is and the subsequent success of their hard work on perfecting these details.
In a Camden Youth League double-header in the form of a 3-way tournament, the group were impressive as a collective, playing with five for one game is hard enough, but for two is a particularly good achievement. They did not allow their heads to drop and constantly offered encouragement to their teammates, which shows just how much character they have as a group at such an early age. A fantastic experience for the young group to face not one, but two opponents on the same day in an action-packed Saturday of football!
A tough day for our courageous U7s against a strong and organised U8 team.
Some of the encouraging moments of the match included our solitary goal of the game from Noah who won the ball high and was able to drive through opposition lines before striking from range into the bottom left corner, and a mesmerising run from Ayman in the first half that saw him beat three players through his manipulation of the ball with different parts of the foot, as well as disguised L-turns.
Even whilst losing, the boys showed fantastic heart to keep fighting, constantly trying to switch the ball and combine to play forwards and back-pedalling into wide areas to receive at goal-kicks, that desire to want the ball was so impressive. That high-risk football was unfortunately what led to conceding a few goals, but nonetheless, it was pleasing to see the boys place so much effort throughout.
The coaches pick of the day, Rahul, because, though what has been worked on during the week was all about the attacking aspect of the counter, it was Rahul who put in a fantastic defensive display at the other end, often being the one to stop counters from the opposition and defended every overload he faced superbly.
A sensational result for our U8s against TGFC. Goals from Lori and Nico, hat-tricks from both Marco and Majid and four goals from Robert meant Bloomsbury cruised their way to victory and left the coaches feeling extremely impressed.
The entire squad was fantastic and played with a real fire, leaving no question of their intention to apply their skills and work together as a team full of character, taking the lessons from the counter-attacking sessions during the week and applying the clinical attitude worked on during the game. Special mention goes to our debutants Robert and Ivan, who both showed a fantastically brave performance, with Robert making some super saves.
Braces both from Franco and Misha added to by goals from Pax and Marcelo gave Bloomsbury what would be a well-fought point.
This fixture presented the team with a situation they have not yet faced: testing their metal having to come from behind to pick up points. It was a lesson to the boys on always remaining focused. Bloomsbury could have won the game had they not conceded in the last minute after reclimbing the 5-3 uphill that faced them earlier in the game, but well done for keeping calm and seeing the game out – a ten goal thriller!
Something the boys are aware of, and credit to them for their honest reflections during half-time and at the final whistle where issues regarding decision-making when passing were discussed, an aspect the team are hungry to work on. Incredibly proud of the players for their honesty, reflection and fight to come back, and a special mention goes to Pax, who demonstrated extremely effective use of this week’s counter-attacking theme, in which he created numerous chances for both himself and his teammates. A key component of counterattacking is pace, and Pax has an abundance of it. From tracking back to regain possession, and then launching our counterattacks, he did not stop running all game and put his body on the line for the team as well as being the focal point of our attacking play.
A triumphant victory in the Camden Youth League was an emphatic reaction that demonstrated the desire to respond correctly from the previous game and is exactly what the coach wanted to see. The team raced into a significant and comfortable lead, pleasingly, considering this week’s theme and topic, a result of quick and direct counter-attacks that were initiated immediately after winning back possession, and is a tool the team will keep in their toolkit for future fixtures.
Special mention goes to Marcelo. Due to the way the game panned out; internal challenges were set, specifically passing sequences. The boys were set the challenge of stringing five passes together before creating an opportunity, Marcelo’s willingness, not only to ensure that he contributed to one out of the five passes at least , but that his teammates followed suit, was extremely professional, highlighting some fantastic leadership abilities. His goal from the penalty spot was richly deserved and the aplomb to which he dispatched the spot kick matched his desire to ensure that we played the right way.
An excellent game for our U10s against Academy FC in the Camden Youth League, especially from Zac, who’s been a consistent performer for the team since the start of the season and his performance again demonstrated his understanding of the subsequent topic and theme for the week. Marshalling from deep acting as the launchpad for the Bloomsbury rockets. Although he played the majority of the game from a deeper, more defensive position, he mounted a significant amount of our attacks after regaining possession via solid tackles and excellent body positioning and when in position, he demonstrated excellent decision when passing and made clever movements to receive the ball once he offloaded and drove into space powerfully.
After a shaky start from Bloomsbury which called upon goal-keeper Jorge more than we had planned, the boys responded to what was a physical team by outplaying the opposition with a combination of quick, direct play from wide areas, as well as some superb link up play through the thirds. They dominated the second half, suffocating the opposition in their defensive third with the score-line rewarding the team and tasting extra sweet as one the thing team have been struggling with this season is how clinical they are and can be in front of goal.
A brace from Zak added to goals from Adam, Bert, Seb and Yili gave Bloomsbury’s U10s a superb three points in the Camden Youth League. A game where the intelligence of the U10s truly came to the fore.
The team performed well in every third of the pitch, playing as a team from the start and breaking down a stubborn defence. The first five minutes were challenging but forced the team to showcase their in-game cunning, as the team recognised there was no space in central areas and began to use the width of the pitch, with some superb switches of play specifically from Otto and Mohammed. It was even better to see a number of successful counter-attacks considering this week’s theme, with every player pressing at every opportunity, showing real intensity resulting in us winning possession high and creating more opportunities. Coaches pick of the day goes to Seb who not only bagged a goal but played in every position and showcased his astute understanding of each role, starting in defence and applying last week’s learnings to delay and deny numerous times and prevent the opposition from creating chances, and then fast-forwarding to this week’s learnings taking on players 1v1 when pushed forwards into midfield, displaying his entire capacity as a well-rounded footballer.
The loss for the U11s in the Camden Youth League was one that was below the standards their prior performances have set for themselves as they were unable to translate the workings on counter-attacks during the week in-game. Despite this, it wasn’t without its positives: an extra special mention goes to Morley and Oli, playing against opposition two years their senior in a tough game, making a great account of themselves. Conducting themselves in a professional manner never complaining despite having to play in a number of different positions and doing their jobs in each position, very effectively. Also, Morgan, whose distribution was stellar to say the least and without him, the game could have been further away than it was.
A close defeat for the U11s in the Junior Premier League but a crucial lesson for the boys as they’ll now understand wholly the imperative importance of preparation, as their poor warm up meant they spent the rest of the game chasing after they conceded three in first ten minutes.
From here however, it was a completely different game – especially encouraging was Alfie and Freddie’s personification of the learnings from the counter-attacking sessions during training in the week, their constant pressing and intensity whilst out of possession allowed us to regain the ball in good attacking areas and their speed and 1v1 ability allowed us to maximise these opportunities they created, crucial to our performance in the second, third and fourth quarters.
In terms of replication for our future fixtures, this match is the perfect game to learn from, knowing that level of performance to replicate going forward is how we played from the second quarter onwards, but knowing for definite the consequences of poor preparation and knowing never to replicate that again. Special mention once again goes to Morgan who had a stunning weekend, building upon his performance in the previous U11 game pulling off a number of strong handed saves to keep us fighting.
The performance in this Junior Premier League fixture was a very good response to early set back against tough opposition that challenged us technically and tactically. A lot of our success came through central areas, down to the hard work and discipline of Strahinia, Seb and Ford who intercepted, combined, and won their individual battles against a team with excellent players. The boys showed a great level of maturity and desire, especially after conceding two goals in quick succession due to a slow start, but the boys then grew into the game and returned with a goal from Victor through a successful high press, a tool which week on week the boys are sharpening and their effectiveness evident throughout this game, not giving the opposition any time on the ball for long periods of the game.
Individual brilliance was what separated the two sides, in the later stages of the game goals came from moments of brilliance from the opposition. However, the boys stayed calm and carried on persisting at the challenging the opposition.
In what proved to be a difficult game on Saturday, after cancellations to both Friday and Sunday fixtures this weekend, injuries meant that after keeping the score close in the first half, we couldn’t keep up with the opponent’s pace after the restart. A second half in which the Black and Gold were able to at least get on the scoreline, through Cosmas’ 75th-minute goal, was more highlighted by the entire squad laying everything out against very strong opposition. A result to forget, but a match to take the positives from, and regroup in the week ahead.
Despite a brace from Ava and a fantastic four from Yas, it was Laura’s performance that was most encouraging during our U13’s 6-2 victory in the Girls Super League, as her recognition of the areas to play forward and when to create a fuse with another player reflected in her playing a major role in two of our goals.
The decision making of team, when to dribble and when to pass was delightful and allowed us to build the attack with one-touch play, which was thoroughly deserving of our emphatic victory.
Despite a 3-1 loss in the Girls Super League, the effort and willingness on this display to battle for the ball and be positive and showcase creativity in the right areas, definitely encouraging. As was Shola’s performance, making multiple amazing saves including a heroic double save from a penalty and the resulting rebound, and she complimented her elasticity with an excellent variety of passing techniques that helped build our attacks.
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