Sunday 25th March 2007 at Mudeford Swans YFC

Sunday 25th March 2007

Published by Rich March 29th, 2007 in Match Reports

Under 7’s

Sunday 25th March saw the Young Swans take on Christchurch in a local Derby. For the third match out of four, the Young Guns played with the bare bones seven players. Sunday saw Matthew captain the side against a team who had gone eight matches unbeaten, which was not surprising since the previous encounter between the sides was a tight affair despite the 5-1 scoreline in the Swans favour.

The match kicked off and the Young Guns were immediately put under pressure with William, Matthew and George producing some frantic defending to prevent the visitors taking the lead. Michael in goal was also doing his bit with some outstanding saves. Christchurch forced a succession of corners on their right which the Swans were clearly having difficulty in defending. However, Drew broke clear on the left from a William clearance and fed a through ball to Louie who chipped the keeper to put the Swans 1-0 up just before the break.

The start of the second half produced another rearguard action from the Swans, but gradually they were forcing their way into the match, Bradley making some telling tackles to set up both Louie and Drew. Louie having the best of the chances but just couldn’t find the deadly touch in front of goal. Christchurch once again forced several corners in succession, with Michael producing another string of super saves to deny a determined Christchurch attack. From a Swans Goal kick William played in the Drew who found acres of space, as the away side pressed forward, but his left shot was saved by the keeper, Louie was then played in and his shot found the side netting. Drew then produced one of his trademark mazy runs and was through on the keeper, instead of shooting he unselfishly squared the ball to both Louie and Bradley and it was the former who eagerly tapped into the empty net for 2-0 Swans.

With referee Richard Jordan clearly struggling to keep up ( think he was still hungover from his Birthday bash 2 weeks ago), Drew picked up the ball in his own half on the right, danced his way past a couple of defenders and cut infield onto his favoured left foot and drilled his shot past the dive of the desparing Christchurch keeper to make the match safe at 3-0.

Final Score Swans 3 Christchurch 0. MOM - Drew Campbell (just shading it from a brilliant Goalkeeping display from Michael)

Under 10’s

The under 10’s penultimate away game of the season saw them travelling to Milbourne St.Andrew hunting for the win to end an underserved barren spell. On a cold, wind swept and untidy pitch the Swans took early control of the game with Ben and Robert in defence pressing Milbourne back into their half, the midfield of Josh Peaty, Adam and Bradley passing the ball swiftly and Mitch chasing strongly any through balls. The Swans were unfortunate with a number of good opportunities on goal with Mitch hitting the wood work after a good run down the wing. Tragedy then struck when Adam attacking a loose ball in front of goal endeavoured to get a shot off in 50/50 challenge with a defender and injured his ankle badly and was unable to continue. Andy made a quick tactical decision and decided to replace one midfield player for another and brought Ollie off the bench. Josh Peaty picked up a loose clearance and struck a well hit speculative cross back into the heart of Milbourne’s penalty box which went through a flock of Swans to the goalie who was unable to control the ball and spilled it over his own line, one nil to the Swans. From the restart the Swans challenged strongly for possession and soon created an opening which Sonny, on for Bradley, pounced on to score the Swans second.

In the second half Milbourne came out more positive and Josh Smith made some excellent saves (as always) to keep the score line in the Swans advantage. The Swans then found their rhythm again and the whole team pushed Milbourne back into their half, forcing Milbourne to concede a flurry of corners. After a brief incursion by Milbourne into the Swans half the Swans moved the ball swiftly out of defence through their midfield and attacked strongly the opposition’s penalty area outnumbering the defence 3 to 1. After some good interplay the ball was passed to Josh Peaty who chipped the ball over the goalie and into the net for the Swans third. The whole team played well supporting and running for each other.

MOM: Sonny Gudge