Chelsea Versus Hampton
Well the first game of the season saw Chelsea U12 Blue Magic play Hampton Soccer Club. Both teams seemed a little underdone and the game began in scrappy fashion with lots of missed passes and both defenses struggling. We had a first time junior referee officiate so it was really an unknown for all with all of us seeking to see where we sat on the ladder of development.
The first three to five minutes were quite tight with both defenses scrambling to clear the ball. Structure and shape for both teams were a struggle with no one being able to get some flow. We started to string two and three passes together but lack of communication stopped us driving forward. After about 10 minutes we began to move the ball quickly into our forward region and with a quick cross by Alec Dovaston the ball found Daniel Alston who played first touch outside and struck the ball with magnificent precision to record the teams first official goal in FFV competition! It truly was a 'pearler.'
It seemed to give us confidence and we started to play much better, but then a lack of communication saw us lose the ball and Hampton drove forward where a dubious penalty was given. But we cant say anything as the referee was new and without referees we have no game. Hampton buried the penalty with such force it gave our keeper no chance. This goal gave Hampton a bit of impetus and we defended as well as we could but great work by Olly Caminiti kept us in the game.
We made some changes and then - as is usual - it creates a little unbalance as new players find their feet. It seemed as if the game see-sawed up and down for a while with both teams looking dangerous. Suddenly the ball was delivered to Liam Hayes who also took a touch out wide and then - as a true striker should - he took an opportunity to shoot from about 25 metres out and honestly sent in a rocket - similar to Daniel's first. It was quite impressive and I love the courage that both boys showed to actually have a ping! Its the most spectacular part of the game and we dont give it the credit it deserves!
At the half we found ourselves 2-1 up but the game was still in the balance. The boys were asked to improve their passing and to use diagonal balls more and use the outside. The defenders had been all at sea in the first half so we asked them to stay more compact and move the ball quickly.
The team followed the instructions very well and the second half saw a huge improvement. Daniel Barnett was super on the outside as he played the 7. Ethan, Nathan and the two Lukes were really solid in defense and turned many Hampton Attacks into Chelsea counters. Liam Rolleman moved to midfield, Alec up front and Olly in the 11. Francesca also played some up front with Callum, and Rob started to work well in the midfield. We gathered some synergy and with Daniel always open out wide, he was able to send in cross after cross and Liam became the first beneficiary when he tapped in a great ball. We were 3-1 and it seemed to demoralise the Reds. Again we had crosses coming in and Alec Dovaston shot a real beauty but it boucnced off the crossbar and to the feet of Liam who calmly slotted his hat-trick! We were now 4-1 but it was the way we were really starting to move the ball through our structure - out wide and then quick in - that was impressive.
We were playing team football, and players were doing what they had been asked. The defenders were attacking space when they had it and the mids were distributing. Our outside players were looking in and our forwards were presenting themselves as good targets. As the game went on we looked better and better.
The whistle blew and we had engineered a solid display. The great thing is that we have SOOOOOOO much more improvement in us and that makes it pretty exciting!
Go Magic!!
