Swifts U7s – Matchday Report
We have now moved up into the higher groups, and the step up in opposition is really starting to test the lads. It is exactly what we wanted and what will help them keep improving.
Two really strong games this morning, both against tough sides, and the boys competed brilliantly throughout.
Bentley Tigers
A real close battle to start the morning against a well organised and physically strong side.
Defensively we were solid from the first whistle, and every time we won the ball back we saw exactly what we have been working on in training — good play out to the wings and positive forward-thinking runs.
This eventually paid off when Naeto scored only seconds after coming onto the pitch, giving us the lead.
We then started to dominate the midfield battle and were rewarded again when Harlen added a second just before half time. Shortly after, Cole pulled off a brilliant low save to his right to keep it at 2-0 going into the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, although Bentley pulled one back early on with a long-range effort after we had done well to deny them any clear-cut chances.
The lads worked really hard to stay on top and had chances to pull away further, but in the end it finished as a very fair 2-1 win.
Goals: Naeto Harlen
Cresswell Bears
We knew this would be another tough test, especially with some of the stronger players from Cresswell Titans now playing for the Bears.
It turned into a really entertaining game between two different styles of football. Cresswell were quick to swarm forward and press together, while we kept our good shape and structure, making it a closely matched battle from start to finish.
Cresswell took the lead after an unfortunate clearance from a corner dropped kindly for one of their players right in front of goal.
The response from the lads was excellent, and soon after Chester levelled things up with a low driven finish into the corner.
Again, Cole made a sharp reaction save from close range to keep it at 1-1 at half time.
The second half was a real battle, with both sides pushing hard for a winner. Harlen was excellent down the left, making some brilliant skillful runs that even drew praise from the opposition parents behind us.
At times we pushed a little too high in search of a winner, but Bligh at the back was outstanding, reading everything brilliantly and mopping up danger even when outnumbered.
Unfortunately, Cresswell grabbed a late winner from a long-range strike that somehow found its way through a crowded box, giving Cole no chance.
We pushed right until the final whistle — even sending Cole up for the last corner, where he actually managed to get a shot away that went just wide.
It just wasn’t to be, with the game ending 2-1 to Cresswell.
Goal: Chester
Player Awards
Parents’ Player – Harlen
Relentless work down the wings, brilliant skillful runs going forward, and worked just as hard tracking back.
Manager’s Player – Bligh
Reads the game brilliantly and constantly clears up danger, often before it even becomes a threat. Against two strong teams today, he did all the defensive basics exceptionally well.
Final Thoughts
We are now facing stronger opposition every week, and games like these will help develop the lads far more than easy wins ever could.
Our aim has always been to take this group into the higher divisions because we believe they can keep getting better and better, so it is brilliant to see us competing so well with teams we rarely faced before.
It has also been a very busy week for the lads, with two extra friendly fixtures on top of this morning’s games.
Earlier in the week, we faced an academy side with close links to Birmingham City FC, losing 4-2 after a very competitive game played in great spirit. Naeto and Reggie were both outstanding and picked up Player of the Match awards.
Then yesterday morning, we took on a very strong Walsall Wood U8 girls side, who have become so dominant in their Staffordshire league that they will be joining the WYJFL next season. It was a fiercely contested game and genuinely brilliant to watch, finishing a very fair 2-2 draw. Bligh and Harlen earned the Player of the Match votes.
Another brilliant week of football for the Swifts. Well done lads.
