Boys come off the sickbed to play.

Theres little more frustrating than a team turning up without enough players.
Which was the situation today. Stoneleigh had 9. So we offered to complete their team as there's little or no point in playing against 9. They declined and the onslaught started with Luca scoring with a screamer into the top left in just under a minute. Josh added another wonderful effort on 8 minutes and Luca finished well on 9. So the game was over effectively after 9 minutes.

We turned it into a passing practice, and the boys played some excellent moves in and around their defence, moving them about and enjoying the practise, with great discipline, creating opportunities through quality football against 9 determined not to leave their box.

A cool finish from Alfie, then a calm finish from Asa before Josh rifled home number 6.
Not long before half time Asa scored the goal of the game with over 20 passes from left to right and back again, forwards and backwards before Alfie slipped Asa in with a perfect pass and Asa finished clinically.

During the half time discussion, the Stoneleigh manager relented and decided to take up the offer of help, so we gave them Keylen and Zac, to bring them up to 11. Both boys played well in forward positions for them with Keylen scoring their only goal with a good run and thumping strike in off the post.

The second half was similar to the first in terms of possession, however with three boys in 2 goals and others smelling opportunity, they did get a bit goalcentric and the free flowing football slowed. We started making poor decisions and lost a little discipline.

It's only natural, and we're all learning. However Yusuf did get get a touch on Joes cross, then Joe banged in a worldy before Junior did his customary dribble and finish taking 5 on before slotting home. Their goalkeeper had a fantastic game especially in the second half pulling off a number of brilliant one on one saves, and some goal line clearances kept it all to a not too silly score line. It would have been better if they took up the offer at the start, but like I say, "we're all learning."

With 7 players in doubt through illness or injury the game is testament to the ones who made it, it's in the dna of the boys to want to be together for eachother. 2 were too sick and that can't be helped.
A special mention to the boys at the back who had little to do all day and Joe who had even less. We have tough games coming up so make the most of the rest.