PPFC U9s 1 – LSS AFC U9s 3

It was an exciting and competitive game. LSS AFC are a very good team who play fast dynamic football.

We got off to a strong start, working well in all areas of the side. Alexis and Dan played out of their skins, winning the ball, turning, releasing other players with great passing. There were some typical surging runs from Eddie on the right, flying pass players and hitting good crosses. Isaac was always looking to attack on the left, often needing two players to close him down. He also slipped a great angled pass inside for Akin up front. Seamus our Captain was full of tackling and then carrying the ball forward.

We edged the first ten minutes having good chances to score and looked very strong. The first half continued to be close with not much between the teams. Just before half time with Jack and Cameron now on pitch we lost the ball in the middle for the first time and LSS got the opening goal. At half time it was all still to play for and it felt like a match we could win. Early in the half Akin playing in the centre now as Alexis had been taken off with a knock, won the ball. Jack moved it wide to Cameron who scored a goal of real class. Only his second chance for the team and his second goal. Louis joined the game and battled and worked hard for the ball but before we could apply any real pressure LSS broke and scored two more goals. We kept playing with the teams usual fight. PPFC had a number of corners and got into some excellent positions with out making a clean cut chance. There was some great runs by Jack who has really developed as a player over the season.

Over all LSS edged the game but 1-3 didn’t reflect the match and performances across the team. Alexis was MOTM. He is a wonderful player. The LSS coach was asking us for a friendly before the end, some of the football had been great to watch. It’s worth noting in our last six games we have scored thirteen goals and only conceded eleven, with wins over Total Goals and Highgate Rangers who we lost to earlier in the season. All the players have had a fantastic season. My hope at the start was not to lose heavily every game as we found our feet against much more experienced teams. The players have completely changed my expectations of them. They totally deserve their three wins and two draws. In the second half of the season could have won nearly all the games. I am very, very proud of them.

Tim