Match Report

Grays Athletic 5 - 0 Dunton Dynamos

U11 League - 13th January 2008

This was our first fixture in the new year after a two week Christmas break. We ended last year with a draw, gaining our first League point in what has so far been a difficult season. We knew our trip to high-flying Grays Athletic would be another tough game made no less difficult by the news that our star goalkeeper (Liam) had broken his foot over the Christmas period and would be out of action for the next two months!

The match itself was played on a bright morning in mid-January with a very strong wind blowing down the length of the pitch. The pitch was in good condition considering the amount of recent rain we'd had. The Dunton captain Calum lost the toss with Grays electing to play with the wind at their backs in the first half.

James played in goal, deputising for the injured Liam, with Jack, Harry, Billy and Sonny filling the defensive positions. Ethan played on the right wing with Cameron taking up a new position on the left wing. Calum and George played in midfield with Jordan and Dave up-front. Ben was sub' for the first half, along with new signing Luke. The team played in a conventional 4-4-2 formation.

From the start, the Dunton side was under pressure. Grays made use of their right-winger who combined well with the Grays attackers to test our resolve. To their credit, the Dunton team challenged for every loose ball and made the Grays team work hard. In the end however, the pressure took its toll and Grays scored with a slightly lucky goal. The right winger hit a right footed cross which looked to be curling well away from danger but it was caught by the strong wind and bent the other way into the top corner of the net leaving James with no chance of making a save. Soon after, Grays scored a second goal which was again slightly fortuitous - a well-drilled shot was deflected off one of our defenders wrong-footing our keeper. The ball bobbled into the corner of the net. Ten minutes before half-time, Ben came on to replace George who'd picked up a knock. Ben got stuck-in straight away and battled really well in midfield.

The Dunton side didn't let the two goals affect their play and they continued to battle for every ball and could consider themselves slightly unfortunate to go into the half-time interval two goals down.

In the second-half, with the wind at our back we raised our game still further. Cameron seemed to come alive on the left wing and was scrapping for every ball as well as supporting Sonny when he broke out of defence. Calum played a captain's role in midfield, ensuring the team kept its shape James was playing a blinder between the sticks and made a number of fine saves. Somewhat against the run of play, Grays scored a third goal - a superbly taken shot from the left side of our box which looped up and over our stranded 'keeper. Soon after they got a fourth when they were awarded a somewhat dubious penalty when one of our players was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. This was harsh - even Grays supports on the touch-line said they didn't see why it had been awarded. Nonetheless, four-nil meant it was going to be difficult to get anything from the game.

In the last ten minutes, with nothing more than their pride to play for, the Dunton side pressed for a consolation goal. Clean through and one-on-one with the Grays 'keeper, Jordan blasted a shot straight at him which he was able to deflect away to safety. Soon after, following a super in-swinging corner, the 'keeper somehow managed to claw a goal-bound header off the line - clearly this was not going to be our day! And so it proved, when Grays scored a final goal on the breakaway.

Man of the match today was James who did superbly well in his first game deputising for Liam in goal. He's clearly a very good 'keeper and may give Liam a few problems reclaiming his place when his foot is fully healed! Other strong performances came from Sonny (at left-back), Dave (up-front) and Ben (in midfield). Luke came on for the last ten minutes and settled into the side very well. Clearly, he's a real prospect for the future and will soon be pressing for a regular place in the side.

Overall, this was an excellent team performance against very strong opposition. Every player did well and the side is now starting to have a really nice shape to it. Reverting to a 4-4-2 formation with everyone playing in the same position each week is clearly starting to pay dividends. We could do with a couple of games against weaker opposition to get our confidence up, but we're unlikely to get that in the Premier League!

Our thanks go to the Grays Athletic team for an excellent game played in good spirits throughout.