🧡⚫ Another Brilliant Day for the Team! ⚫🧡
We started the day full of confidence after last week’s big win and a strong second-game performance, and the boys were excited to get back out there and continue their progress.
🆚 Rushall Village vs Silverdale Wildcats
We began the game brightly, with Tommy getting us off to a fantastic start with an early goal and giving the boys an immediate confidence boost.
Ashton and Nicholas then took their opportunities brilliantly, with both players finding the net twice before half-time. The boys were in complete control and played some excellent football throughout the opening half.
After the break, Silverdale played with two extra players, which meant the boys had to work harder to find space, move the ball quickly and make sure their passing remained sharp.
They responded well, with Adam scoring two really well-taken goals, including one that was slotted away brilliantly.
There were opportunities for a few more, but we didn’t quite manage to take them. More importantly, after the game the boys were honest enough to recognise that although they had played well, there was too much individual play and not enough of the passing and movement that we know they’re capable of.
So, before the next game, we set them a challenge: play together and show the teamwork we usually see from this group.
🆚 Rushall Village vs Brewood Juniors
We knew this would be a much tougher test, as Brewood always provide us with a competitive and closely fought game.
Once again, we started positively, with Nicholas pouncing on an early opportunity and finishing brilliantly.
But this time, the biggest difference was the way we played as a team.
We saw some fantastic football throughout the game — players helping each other, communicating, organising their positions, making runs, finding space and moving the ball with purpose.
It was a proper team performance and much more like the football we know this group can produce.
We looked comfortable for large periods, but just before half-time Brewood found an equaliser after we failed to properly clear the ball from a goal kick.
The second half saw the boys push on again. We created more chances and looked increasingly likely to find the breakthrough.
One particular move summed up the performance perfectly, with the boys putting together a brilliant sequence of passes, progressing forward and switching the play three times before the Brewood goalkeeper produced a fantastic save.
The boys kept going, though, and with around five minutes remaining, Nicholas won a loose ball and smashed in a fantastic finish.
From there, the team defended brilliantly, stayed composed and saw the game through.
A thoroughly deserved result based on the performance and, most importantly, the response from the first game.
💭 Final Thoughts
Two wins and another really positive day for the team.
While the first game produced plenty of goals and was a very impressive result, we were actually far more pleased with the second game.
The boys listened to the challenge we gave them, changed their approach and produced a fantastic team performance.
Across both games, every player contributed:
🧤 Freddie was excellent in goal whenever called upon.
💪 Koby was brilliant, with some great tackling, dribbling and passing.
🛡️ Ashton was solid at the back and also grabbed another couple of goals.
⚽ Adam made some excellent tackles, passed the ball really well and got himself on the scoresheet.
🔥 Nicholas worked incredibly hard for the team and scored some fantastic goals.
🎯 Tommy got us started with a great goal and also provided four assists.
We genuinely couldn’t ask for much more from the boys.
We’re incredibly proud of how this team is developing and, more importantly, how they’re beginning to understand that working together is what makes them stronger as a team.
Keep it up, lads! 👏🧡⚫
🏆 Parents’ Player of the Match – Nicholas
Nicholas is always willing to work hard for the team, listens well, gets stuck in and never stops looking for opportunities.
He had a fantastic morning and scored four really good goals, making him a very worthy recipient of the Parents’ Player of the Match award.
Well done, Nicholas! ⚽⚽⚽⚽👏
🏆 Managers’ Player of the Match – Freddie
This was a really difficult decision because every player played their part once again.
We eventually chose Freddie, who was fantastic in goal.
Whenever he was needed, he did everything right. He stayed focused even during periods when there wasn’t much action, confidently claimed his area and cleared danger whenever required.
A calm, reliable and composed performance between the sticks.
Well done, Freddie! 🥅👏🧡⚫
