LONG EATON UNITED U11 v GEDLING SOUTHBANK U11
Saturday 1st February saw the U11 boys travel to Grange Park to face Long Eaton Utd U11’s. The call in the morning said the pitch was a little wet but to be fair the worse part of the pitch was the non existant line markings and not the actual state of the grass and mud.
It was a very cold and windy afternoon with the wind blowing straight down the pitch. GSB kicked off into the wind and up the slope, This was the first time the boys have had to play in such conditions.
The boys seemed to adapt fairly quickly and within 4 minutes had gone a goal up. Billy Housden won the ball in midfield and played a great through ball to Ben Morris who finished very well.
GSB continued to cope well playing into the wind but let Long Eaton back into the game after losing the ball from a goal kick. However one goal against will not stop the boys continuing to play out from the back and I am 100% confident they will use this mistake as the learning opportunity it is.
Half Time: Long Eaton Utd U11 1 GSB U11 1
Questions were asked of the boys at half time about what playing with the wind and down the hill would mean. Most answers were it would be much easier but with the thought of the ball running away if any pass was over hit, they soon seemed to change their minds.
The second half saw Long Eaton Utd score a very good goal to take the lead.
GSB then had a few one on one chances to equalise but failed to convert any of them and then Long Eaton played some balls in behind the GSB defence and scored 3 more goals in the last 10 minutes.
On balance of play a fair end result but probably a little bit harsh with the margin of the scoreline.
Final Score: Long Eaton Utd U11 5 GSB U11 1
Man of the Match: Ashton Graham. With the focus of the day being playing the ball out from the back and accurate passing, it was so good to see Ashton break out from the defence on the second half and go on an excellent run. More of that please Ash in the coming weeks.
The boys now have a planned break until 1st March but with some postponements already needing rescheduled they may be back in 2 weeks time.
