U8 MTYFC Robins v Devizes (Away) 01/03/2008

A strong cold wind greeted the Robins to Devizes. The  small pitch was dry but a little bumpy.

The wind was in Devizes favour for the first half. The half started at great pace. Five minutes in and the Devizes keeper gave a great goal kick which aided by the wind landed in the Robins six yard box and was tapped in by a Devizes forward 1-0.

Devizes ,well aware of the wind advantage started taking shots from distance and two further goals followed from hard well placed shots giving Robins keeper William no chance of saving.

The Robins had their chances and an excellent high shot from Josh appeared to be heading for the top of the Devizes goal only to be slowed dramatically by the wind. Kieren, Thomas and Josh all had further chances but the Devizes defence was well organised, pressurising our forwards causing them to shoot wide.  Half time score 3-0.  The Robins supporters were not too worried as they had previously watched the Saints come back from 3 -0 at half time to win 3 – 7.

Coach Darren’s team talk hatched a plan for kickoff to make use of the wind that would now be in the Robins favour. The Robins kickoff was passed back to Josh who unleashed a powerful shot which unfortunately went too high to trouble the Devizes keeper.  A quick break and a well taken shot and Devizes were now 4 -0 up.

The Robins were playing well with some good breaks in mid field by Elliot, Haken and Nathan. The strong Devizes defence with the strategy of closing down our players early so they could not shoot from range was working.  

The Devizes forwards struck again with a good shot with the wind against them making it 5-0. Halfway through the second half the Robins team effort was finally rewarded with a good linkup between Thomas and Josh who finally got the ball into the Devizes goal 5-1.  Minutes later and Devizes broke free again, Adam made a vital tackle to stop a probable sixth goal.

In the closing minutes of the second half, Devizes were rewarded a free kick for a goalkeeping infringement.  Due to the small pitch this was taken very close to the Robins goal and Devizes had an easy task of converting it into their sixth goal.

It should also be noted that Matthew, Elliot and Adam did some excellent work in defence.  William did an excellent job in goal, coping with the tricky windy conditions.

Man of the Match – Adam

Reporting from the Touchline – Bryan Taylor 

Message from the Manager

 OK boys, first don't worry about the score that's irrelevant.  What is relevant is how you played and you all played very well. 

William was able to get goal kicks out high and wide, even with the wind blowing against him. 

Adam, Matthew and Elliott working really hard in defence. 

In midfield, Josh, Nathan and Kieren doing some great work but being on such a small pitch every time they passed the ball forward there was always a Devizes player there.

Haken and Thomas doing well up front but couldn't get their normal runs down the wings going with Devizes defending so well.

Marking up was first class from all of you, as were the headers that Elliott, Josh and Thomas done - Top Draw!!

Well done boys, let's take these positives into our next game.