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U11 League 1 – Worton & Cheverell 1 Trowbridge Wanderers 0

A novelty of a mid-week game against Trowbridge Wanderers offered us a good warm up before cup final on Saturday and the chance to guarantee at least second in the league and even put us top for a while.

It has rained heavily over the past few nights and Ade Cannon did a great job in getting the pitch prepared, cut and lined to enable the match to take place. Apart from from water in goal and some damage from moles, the pitch was in fairly good condition.

The match itself was always going to be a tight event, both sides looking to play good football. Trowbridge made the better start, pushing passes through the space between centre and full backs. Simon Gale was fantastic all night in catching their forwards who did manage to break the offside trap – and when he didn’t, Charlie did.

Not many shots at goal during the first half, but Worton did make the breakthrough after 26 minutes when Charlie Strickland let rip from 25 yards to the underside of the bar and into the goal behind the keeper. At last the goal drought since Feb 25th was over!!!

The second half continued in much the same vein, both sides making chances. Franky had a chance to make it 2-0 when he shot across goal but the keeper made an outstanding save and got the ball around the post to much adulation by all supporters and players.

At the other end, James had a couple of fairly routine (“I had it covered Dad”) saves and one really good save low to left to turn shot around the post – again the save well congratulated by the crowd.
With few minutes to go, Trowbridge pushed everything forward in search of an equaliser but the defence held firm to deliver the victory and that guaranteed second place with us going top of the league having played one more match that Melksham.

Well done to all the boys who all played really well in a difficult game, with a special mention to Alex and James F for their hard work when they came on the pitch.

Next up: Cup Final vs Melksham Utd on Saturday.

U11 League 1 – Worton & Cheverell 3 Melksham Utd A 0

Worton welcomed Melksham Utd to Fortress Northbrook seeking to gain victory against a team who narrowly defeated us in the last league match a few weeks ago.

The game started with both sides looking for openings in each others defences but both stayed resolute. Worton did make a breakthrough in 14 minutes when a corner taken by Jamo was met with a diving header by Adam Edwards low into the corner of the goal.

Just before half time, Worton extended the lead. Jamo performing some Gazza-esque skills (against some team I have forgotten the whole event some 16 years ago) when he flicked the ball over the right back before crossing into the middle of the goal for Franky (yes Franky) to rise like the proverbial gracious swam and head down into the ground and past the keeper.

The second half continued in much the same light, Worton creating chances withour converting and preventing Melksham from having any time on the ball and stopping any chances being made.

Worton sealed the points on 45 minutes when another Jamo corner was crossed into the middle of the goal, the keeper cleared the ball to around the penalty spot where Adam Edwards switched from right foot to left foot, before smacking low into the goal.

Another great team performance, everyone playing their part including the players who came in and out the game.

Next up – Wednesday vs Trowbridge Wanderers.

U11 League 1 – Melksham Utd A 3 – Worton & Cheverell 2

The latest match took us to the League leaders Melksham Utd. Whilst the final result was not in our favour, the performance by the squad was excellent and Melksham will know that they have been in a game.

With Harry already ruled out with injury, the day started badly with a call from Jake advising of a hamstring injury, Jack Churches went sick at half-time and Joe took a nasty head knock during the second half. The combination of these events meant several enforced changes to the management team plans. It did however allow us to try out different things with players and formation.

The game itself started badly with Melksham taking lead after 7 minutes, a ball was played into the middle and no tackle or closing down was done and the Melksham striker was able to shoot low into the corner.

Worton did hit back after 8 minutes, a free kick on the left was floated into box by Charlie, a flick on by Jamo and Franky bravely getting in front of keeper to knock into the net. Half time 1-1.

Second half saw Charlie dropping to center back with Simon sweeping. Alfie-Miles Hobbs moved into centre midfield. After 35 minutes, Worton took the lead, cross from Jamo corner, headed out by defence to midle of penalty box and Alfie Miles-Hobbs smashed into goal.

The lead lasted but a few minutes, ball played up Melksham right and the player was not closed down and pick a free cross into the middle for striker to shoot past James in goal.

Jo Skinner then had to come off for a blow to the face that requied use of ice pack to keep swelling down. Alfie Brintons rest period lasted about 1 minute and he had to go back on!

Melksham took the lead after 42 minutes, once again a free player we not closed down on Melksham right and was able to come into the box and have free shot past keeper.

So 3-2 to Melksham in end, plenty of positives to take from game and who knows what might happen if we can stay free of illness and injury!

U11 League 1 – Trowbridge Wanderers 2 – Worton & Cheverell 3

The first competitive football for 3 weeks was away at Trowbridge Wanderers. With players either still on holiday or coming back from holiday, the squad was going to be stretched, only able to name a 14 man squad for the match. Additionally, the team have been ‘rocked’ by the news that midfield stalwart Harry Davis would be out for at least 4 weeks due to a ‘slight tear of the patella ligament’ (boys look it up!)

The game started and you could see that players were still waking up to the fact that it was a match and with tackles not being made properly, Trowbridge were able to make chances that the defence did well to clean up. In 21 minutes however, with no-one putting in a tackle in the middle of the field, a ball through the right channel fell to unmarked player who was able to pull the ball back for the striker to shoot low past James Black in goal.

Worton created some chances through the wing play of Alfie Miles-Hobbs and Joseph Skinner and were unlucky in a couple of scrambles inside the penalty box when the ball did not break kindly. Josh Francis came close from just outside the 6 yard box but was unable to get it past the keeper.

Worton held on to the coat-tails of Trowbridge for large parts of the half and a great goal-line clearance by Simon Gale maintained the current scoreline.

Halftime 1-0 to Trowbridge. The half-time talk was about the ability to close down Trowbridge and to put in proper tackles.

Second half saw the game kickoff and Worton started slowly again, too many players taking too long to settle in as the game sped past them. An inspired substitution brought Adam Edwards back into play and in 36 minutes (almost 1st touch) Adam volleyed the ball over the keeper from 20 yards to level the scores. Trowbridge looked a little shocked at this time and Worton continued to pressurise and when Franky Holdsworth passed the ball along the 18 yard line to Jamo (yes you need a haircut!) Stobbart who dribbled past several defenders and shot low into the net – Worton in lead!

Within a couple of minutes though, Trowbridges first attack of the second half saw a long ball to the left wing and the player was able to control and shoot past James into the net 2-2.

Chances were now being created at both ends, keepers and defences mopping up the attacks as they happened. By now Worton were ensuring that Trowbridge did not get time on the ball and were all putting in some great tackles all over the pitch.

With 5 minutes of normal time to go and Worton won a corner which Jamo swung into the box where it broke to Franky who clinically dispatched the ball with his left foot into the net – Worton lead (again!).

Changes in defence during the second half involved James Francis and Luke Hatch coming on and both played really well and proved that they can be counted on when required. Solid tackles and ball winning by both were examples to others.

With time up (on MY watch), the referee continued to allow the game to play and the Worton defence and keeper stood firm and prevented any more chances from being converted – thus recording an excellent away victory against one of the best teams in the division. Well done to everyone in squad today – fantastic performance and result.

Man of the match poll attached – please record your views.

Well done to all supported the bag packing effort after the match – some good funds raised for the tour.

U11 – Chippenham Town White 3 – Worton & Cheverell 1

Early into the game, Chippenham town went 1-0 up. It came from a ball down the left side and then a low shot passed JB.
In the 3rd minute, Chippenham went 2-0 up with a ball down the left and the ball soared to an unmarked attacker in the middle of the penalty area free to put the ball into the back of the net.
After 11 minutes Worton went 3-0 down with a pass down the right and the skipper crossed it in. JB was unable to hold the ball as the pitch was very rough. The ball flew into the centre of the goal.
Once again, Chippenham attacked with a pass along the left but denied by James Francis and Simon.

Early in the second half, Chippenham attacked once again but Worton couldn’t afford to concede another goal. JB blocked a shot which bobbled on the crossbar several times and eventually went off for a corner. Later in the second half, Worton started to attack. Harry scored an excellent top corner shot on the 48 minute mark. Chippenham keeper didn’t stand a chance. The final whistle blew with the first loss in Division 1.

James Black

U11 Worton & Cheverell 1 – Westbury Youth Lions 0

This was a hard won victory, which saw Worton playing into a really strong headwind in the first half, causing the ball to swirl and spin about, and make it extremely difficult for the boys to get the ball under control and pass it around. It also gave Westbury the momentum going forward but despite this the back four mopped up any balls over the top (particular mention to James Francis who had a solid game at right back) and JB was quick off his line to deal with any threats. The best chances fell to Worton and Lewis got a couple of decent shots at goal, Charlie had shot on the stretch and Brints was extremely unlucky with a well placed shot that was beating their ‘keeper that a defender managed to block, so nil – nil at half time, and having played against the wind we were happy with how things were going.
The wind then eased for the 2nd half, but the boys still found it hard going to get the ball down and pass it. Josh chased down their left back and put him under pressure to win a corner, that Charlie lofted in, it fell to Jo Skinner at the near post who calmly set himself and then smashed the ball home to get the winner in the 43rd minute.
Westbury didn’t really threaten our goal, although they did break through the back four a few times the boys covered for each other and dealt with it.
Not the best of performances but difficult conditions, we got the win and another clean sheet.
So with lots of airshots, miskicks, and boys waiting for the ball to come to them, these are the things we’ll focus on on training this week, a refresher on dealing with high balls, corner positioning and meeting the ball rather than waiting for it.

Mario

U11 League Cup 1/4 Final – Worton & Cheverell 6 Bradford Town Youth 0

Worton and Cheverell progressed to the semi-final of the U11 League Cup with a comfortable victory against lower league opposition.

Pre-match news reported the withdrawal of Harry due to a bathroom malfunction resulting in a foot injury meaning some reshuffling of plans.

Starting the game with a packed midfield to ensure that we got a grip of the game whilst we established the strengths and weaknesses of the other team. For this game it did allow us to take a firm grip of the match, whilst we searched for that early breakthrough which duly came after 7 minutes.

A fast short passing interchange between Charlie and Franky led to ball being placed across goal where Alfie Miles-Hobbs was on hand to prod the ball into the net.

After 15 minutes, the lead was doubled when a corner taken by Jamo went high into the box, Charlie was able to bring ball down under control before shooting just inside the right hand post.

After 25 minutes, the lead was extended when the ball was laid off to Charlie, he shot and somehow the ball landed at Alfie Brinton to volley high into the net.

Soon after it was 4-0 when Charlie picked up ball in midfield before striding forward and smashed ball high into net from 18 yards.

Just before half-time it was 5-0 when another corner by Jamo was met with a Jake header, a good save by the keeper but Henri followed up to smash ball into the net.

After 42 minutes, it was 6-0 when Simon played a ball through middle to Jamo who chased the ball to corner of 18 yard box and his cross was met by Joseph at back post to round off the scoring.

The nature of the game allowed us to give plenty of opportunity to rotate players and test players in different positions and formations. Some great work throughout the game by Luke, Jack and Jake amongst others. Overall, a very good team performance and some outstanding performances by all the players – well done!

More importantly, thank-you to team for a clean sheet and to the team for the birthday card and cake – hope it was nice!!

Also, many thanks to referee Paul who donated his match fee to the team – will go to tour funds!!

Squad:James Black, Henry Luzi, Jake Thurlow, Simon Gale, James Francis, Franky Holdsworth, Alfie Brinton, Charlie Strickland, Jack Churches, Alfie Miles-Hobbs, James Stobbart, Adam Edwards, Josh Francis, Joseph Skinner, Luke Hatch

U11 – Warminster Highbury Reds 1 – Worton & Cheverell 3

In a return to the team we finished joint top with in U11 Green (what happened to playoff for title?), a determined team took to the field desperate to prove that they were the undeclared champs from last (1/2) season.

The game started well for Warminster shooting downhill with wind and sun, pressing back the Worton team but without creating any clear cut chances. Gradually though, we started to move the game forward and won a corner. A fast moving cross into the near post was met by the gracious elegance of Franky Holdsworth hammering home a volley with impeccable timing low into the corner. The view from the dugout differed from this in that the ball appeared to hit Franky and go in!! Nevertheless, 1-0 and some money owed to Franky by the Holdsworth household!

Warminster responded well to going behind, pushing Worton back and attempting to break through a resolute defence. Some balls ran through the defence but James B did well in clearing or shepperding off for a goal kick. They did have the ball in the net, however the referee after consultation from the linesman (yes linesman) came to agreement that the player was a yard offside – close escape!

Halftime came 1-0 Worton and the harder half played.

Second half shooting downhill, Warminster were unable to press forward and most attempts were stifled by the defence and midfield. Gradually more and more space came open and Worton pushed forward looking for a second goal. In 51 minutes the second goal came. Great break up the left side between Jamo, Brints and Adam led the ball to be played into the box. Some intricate sharp passing in the box between Adam, Joseph, Jamo and some Warminster players led the ball to breaking to Jamo who buried from 6 yards out. (Notice – 1st time shot!!)

This seemed to have an impact on the Warminster team as some heads started to go down. Worton sought to take advantage and attack down the left led to another corner. This time ball powered into the near post and Alfie Brinton rose like a swan to gracefully volley the ball past the helpless keeper. Once again the view from the dugout was that the ball came in and hit Brints on knee instead of foot – but hey 3-0!

Was this to be the day of the competitive match clean sheet – 60 minutes came and went, injury time being played!!! The ball was played up the Warminster left, their player did really well to keep the ball in play, played ball into middle of our box and everyone sort of stood and watched – nobody took control of the situation leaving the Warminster striker to place ball low past keeper 3-1!!!

So the whistle eventually went and it was a 3-1 win. Some good football played, some sharp passing, but mixed in with periods of scrappy play. Disappointing loss of clean sheet – fortunately it didn’t matter!!

A number of really good performances in the shirts today, a marked improvement for some – keep it going as games will get harder and everyone has to play well and work hard.

Team: James Black, Henri Luzi, Jake Thurlow, Simon Gale, James Francis, Franky Holdsworth, Charlie Strickland, Harry Davis, Alfie Brinton, Joseph Skinner, Adam Edwards, James Stobbart, Alex Boaler, Josh Francis

U11 – Westbury Youth Lions 2 – Worton & Cheverell FC 3

Having not played for 3 weeks, this was the first League One game for the newly promoted WCFC after our postponed match the previous week. Westbury had finished runner-up in their league and had beat Warminster Highbury Reds last week, so a very tough match was expected.

A large squad of 16 players was taken to this game as we sought to understand how these new teams operate. We used the full squad during the match as we changed tactics and approach at different stages of the match. A big appreciation of the players who came on and off during the game as getting up-to speed etc would not be easy, however, it is important to get all players performing at the best of their ability at this level.

The game started with each side sounding each other out. Balls over the top from each side seemed most popular way to play, however, each defence played well in sniffing out any danger. Worton then started to get the ball down and play along the wings to get past the defence, some glimmers of light started to appear.

After 17 minutes, Alfie Brinton won the ball and played a pass through the left channel, Harry Davis sprinting onto the ball raced through on keeper before dispatching low right into the corner.

1-0 at the break.

Almost immediately after the break, Westbury had a chance – over the top again – and when through on goal was stuffed out a great tackle by Luke Hatch.
At the other end Alfie Miles-Hobbs cut in from right and smacked a great shot off the bar – so close.
After 38 minutes, ball over the top again, suspicion of offside but correctly called by ref, Westbury broke through, shot against James Black well saved but their striker followed up the rebound despite James effort to stop it. 1-1 Game on.

(Sometime around now my watch stopped – so timings may be a bit off!!)

After around 45 minutes, Harry Davis twinkle-toed his was through the middle of the Westbury team from the centre line to the penalty box before Jamo decided it was better if he hit the ball next – right into top corner of goal – 2-1 Worton!

Unfortunately we failed to hold the lead again and a ball through middle (again!!!) led to Westbury equalising!

At 2-2 we decided to go to 4-5-1 and reinforce the midfield. This paid dividends by allowing the wider players to push on wide and increase the number of opportunities we were getting. Alfie Brinton had a shot headered off the line, several shots by Adam and a few other chances made either saved or blocked by Westbury as we pushed for the winner.

The pressure paid off when Alfie Miles-Hobbs cut inside again and was fouled inside the box – PENALTY!
Princess Penalty Champion Charlie Strickland took the penalty which was brilliantly saved by the keeper however the only ones to follow up were Alfie Brinton and Charlie who smashed the ball past the keeper – 3-2!!!

With the lead back in place, we shut up shop and sat back 4 of the midfielders to snuff out any activity being created in or near the Westbury midfield. Relief all around when the final whistle went – victory in our first League 1 match!

It was a squad of 16 team victory – The coaches were all immensely proud of the way we continued to play football – especially in the last quarter of the match – 3 touch practice really does work! Well done everyone.

We took some new team pictures for use in some sponsorship activities. I will have a number printed at 10×8 for parents who wish a copy to make a donation towards the tour fundraising effort (at least £1 to cover production costs!)

NEXT WEEK – HOME vs MELKSHAM A – Northbrook hopefully kickoff 1000. (tbc)