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

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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)

U11 – Worton & Cheverell 4 – Castle Combe Colts 1

Last league game of the first part of season saw a home match to be played at Northbrook whilst we await the drought to kick-in at Gt Cheverell and we get our home pitch back!!

Anyway, with 17 players available for the week we had to unfortunately drop one for the match. The 16 who turned up all put in a good shift in recording the 9th league victory of the season.

The game started fairly evenly, not much progress towards goal by either team. Worton did take the lead in the 11th minute when a break from defence through the middle of pitch by Simon Gale fed the ball to Adam Edwards who struck a great shot that was parried out by the keeper to Joseph Skinner who stroked the ball low into the bottom left of the goal.

After 20 minutes, Worton could have extended the lead. A penalty was awarded for a foul on Jack Churches – albeit rather harsh. Harry Davis stepped up and stroked the ball low past the keeper……and past the post!

Worton continued to push forward and in 22 mins, another ball through the middle of the CCC defence to Jamo who nudges the ball past the keeper before the ball stuck in a puddle of mud in the goalmouth. Captain for the day Alfie Miles-Hobbs audaciously back heeled the ball into the net.

2-0 at the turn to Worton.

Early in second half (32 mins) a very high corner by Harry was parried out by the keeper which fell to Charlie to prod into the goal.

In 38 minutes, a free kick was awarded just inside the Worton half for handball. The free kick was kicked into the middle of the 18 yard box, James McGettigan latched on to it and placed it past helpless keeper James Black in goal. Once again no clean sheet.

With CCC back in the game, it started to open up with the ball reaching both penalty boxes. A number of good clearances by JB and a number of good chances spurned by Worton against a very good goalkeeping performance.

Worton made the game safe in the 51st minute when Charlie Strickland shot in from the edge of the box to make it 4-1.

A good all-round team performance, the players rotated well and everyone who came on did a good job. One down side a ‘groin strain’ for Franky meaning a rest for a few days. No Man of the Match this week as everyone deserves it!

Overall record for the U11 Green League – Played 10, Won 9, Lost 1 – For 64 Against 17.

On behalf of all the team coaches well done and lets progress through 2012.

Neil

U11 League Cup – Bishops Cannings 1 – Worton & Cheverell 6

SUBTITLE – 4 Goals from Left Feet!!!! It was back to Green Lane, Devizes for the latest match between the two sides. Having faced each other in the League twice and once in a friendly, it was time for a … Continue reading →

U11 Friendly – Bishops Cannings 0 – Worton & Cheverell 5

On a day when neither side had league commitments, this friendly was arranged for two reasons – firstly for Bishops Cannings to check their progress after a narrow defeat against us a couple of weeks ago and secondly for Worton to prove that the result a couple of weeks ago was a ‘blip’.

The result proved one sided, but the match did not go without chances being created by Bishops Cannings.

A strong line up returned the convincing score – 4 more goals by Charlie and another by Harry meant Worton came out victors but there were some parts of the game that showed good and poor aspects.

Good – when we adopted short passing, almost 3 touch as we do in training, we were able to pass our way quickly through and past a congested midfield and defence. We created many chances and shots on goal and could have had a few more goals but for some good goalkeeping and poor finishing.

Poor – on two occasions their player picked up the ball and strolled past 3 or 4 Worton players without a substantial tackle being made – this cannot be allowed to happen – they must be stopped!! Additionally when we tried to dribble past too many players or did not look for the pass we often lost possession – once again some teams will punish us for this.

We did some good work in formations – starting 3-5-2, moving to 4-4-2 and a short spell at 3-4-3 – really dependant on who we had on the field at the time. Well done to all who moved positions during the game – especially to Alfie Miles-Hobbs who after 45 minutes on the wing swapped positions with James Black who had done very little in goal all game.

Overall, comfortable victory, good team work all around and a reasonably good warm-up for the cup match at Bishops Cannings on Saturday where I expect BC to have a couple of capable players back in their ranks.

Meanwhile, Derry Hill were unable to prevent Warminster Highbury winning their last league match. We now need to win our outstanding match to force a championship playoff with Warminster – I am still awaiting a League decision on when this match will be.

Once again a Man of the Match poll for players to complete (Coaches not on this one!!)

Neil

Adults up to third in TDFL Division 2

Another hat-trick by Myles Hickton helped the adults to a 6-1 victory over Bratton. A very quick start saw WCFC 2-0 up after only 16 minutes with goals for Myles Hickton and Danny Lyons. Instead of continuing to press the guys took their foot off the gas and were punished after 30 minutes with Bratton pulling one back. The second half was a different story. WCFC continued to press and Jamie Sandy scored with his first touch of the game on 54 minutes having replaced Chris Cole. Two more goals for Myles Hickton on 59 an 79 minutes saw him complete his tally. Ben Mason scored a thunderbolt goal 3 minutes from time to complete the scoring. The adults remain 3rd in the league and will continue to press for promotion helped no doubt by goal machine Hickton who so far in 11 league games has scored 22 goals.