U7s - Today we had the privilege of playing the first game in front of the new Cathedral of Football that is the Alford Road Pavillion. Over on the 5-a-side pitch the parents created an atmosphere to rival La Bombonera (with reasonably priced hot and cold drinks and snacks available) as we welcomed Gedling Southbank on a freezing but sunny winters day. The side this week had been ravaged by injury, illness and other enforced absences, which meant the coach was forced into a squad rotation policy to rival Claudio Ranieri. We even lost poor Charlie who was trying to fake his recovery but was struggling to play to his usual high standards (he still was playing incisive passes down the right) and only managed to last 10 minutes. So Cavaliers pushed last weeks Italian wonder winger into goal, last weeks keeper up front, wingers played in defence and yet we still managed to go 5 goals up before more changes were made. A rampaging first half of stunning quality. When Jack Reynolds left these shores to coach a little known Dutch club called Ajax, he knew that the team was greater than the individual so he invented Total Football. This is what this group of 6/7 years olds understand at a spiritual and genetic level. If we are to move to the level that Rinus Michels took Ajax, we must continue to trust in passing and positions. We only conceded goals in the second half when we didnt trust these instincts. However by playing a whole game with every player playing out of position, and holding on for another victory, I couldnt be more proud. Next week I only expect to add more rhythm to the Edwalton samba. The big news of the day, on the stroke of half time we scored our first ever headed goal. Top corner, flicked over the keeper from Man of the Match Toby. Unfortunately it was into our own net from a free kick, but I know well take the learning up the other end next week. The team today was George and Toby in defence, Chas was back down the left, Simone in goal, James F and C linking up nicely in attack and Dylan scoring and running the wing, and a cameo from Charlie due to illness. Toby got MotM for sweeping calmly, strangling all attacks at source and hitting short passes and long, switching play and hitting space to create an engine room which powered the 5 goals. Counter attacking was the requirement today against a busy opposition The move of the day bought to mind this direct effort which destroyed Liverpools hopes in the late 90s youtu.be/94rW92p0j6Y At the end of today, the opposition coaches congratulated us on the quality of football and our clubs attitude. Parents came over to thank us for a great day, great ref (as always Dave, thanks again) and great atmosphere. This is the best measure of how good we are as a team, as a club and as a group of supporters. Id like to thank Gareth, Gaz, Al, Nick, Dave and the kids for helping set up this morning. We quite literally couldnt have done it without you! Onwards Cavaliers
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:39:23 +0000
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