Match Report - Under 9's, Hawkers, Sun 30th September 2007
Published date - Sun 30/09/07

Hillside(A) 2 - 0 Hethersett
Hethersett 0 - 6 Thorpe
Thorpe 1 - 3 Hillside(A)

We won both games and what a good feeling that is!!!  Especially as we beat Thorpe Rovers!

After a mad panic Saturday evening as we were told that the kick off had been brought forward by an hour, we managed to contact all the boys to ensure that they would be on Thorpe Rec on Laundry Lane by 9am for a bit of a warm up and team talk.

A chilly morning to start the day at 9am.  All were present and correct and the promise of a McDonalds meal at the end of the games seems to have generated a good feeling amongst the squad.  Todays team were - Matthew, Marley, Paul, Caleb, James, James, Harry, Matt & Brandon.  The captain was chosen and Marley once again assumed the position as Captain and proudly wore the C arm band.

We were going into these 2 games firmly rooted to the bottom of the league so were in need of some points.  We were the first game to kick off and we were facing Hethersett.  The players assumed their positions and Matt & Caleb were substitutes in the first half.  Hillside Rovers A team got stuck in right from the kick off.  Our practising paid off and we got the ball exactly where we wanted it to be.  The squad were playing a classy game of football passing the ball about and getting into positions.  The first goal was a super strike by Brandon which saw us take a 1-0 lead. This was then followed up by another excellent goal by Harry.  This saw us go into the half time team talk 2-0 up.

At half time we made a change and brought Caleb on for Paul in defence.  We knew Hethersett would come out all guns blazing in the 2nd half but all credit to the Hillside team who shut them down at every opportunity creating a number of chances that would just not go into the goal.  Matt was then given a run out on the pitch in place of James on the right wing/midfield.

A really good game seeing Hillside play some of their best football resulting in a well deserved 2-0 win.

We then had a break whilst Thorpe Rovers took on Hethersett who only had a 10 minute breather.  This gave us the chance to watch Thorpe abnd work out our tactics.  Thorpe Rovers beat Hethersett by a comfortable 6-0 margin referreed by our very own Richard Pace.

So, it was our turn to face Thorpe Rovers.  It was good to see Matthew and the boys in our squad really did give him a warm welcome which was great to see.  We knew this was going to be harder game and went out with more of a defensive style to the team.  Our subs on this occassion being Matt & Harry.  However, we really took the game to Thorpe Rovers and were closing them down at every opportunity playing some of the best football I have ever seen us play.  It was clear that Thorpe Rovers were struggling to break us down.  Then came the all important goal from Hillside Rovers scored by James.  The 1-0 lead was very short lived as Thorpe scored straight from the centre kick off with a lovely goal by Matthew playing for Thorpe Rovers.  This really generated some passion within the Hillside team and they were out to score again.  They fought and fought and eventually found their way through the Thorpe defense to score another lovely goal which saw us go into half time at 2-1 up this time the goal being scored by Brandon.

A rousing team talk by the coaches saw the Hillside team go back out onto the field really believing in themsleves and that they could actually win both their games!  Harry was given his attacking role back and James was substituted.  Thorpe Rovers really did not want to lose and threw everything at us.  This only served up for some excellent football from Hillside and our star substitute Harry scored another goal seeing Hillside lead 3-1 with 5 minutes to go.  Matt was brought back onto the field as a fresh pair of legs and replaced Brandon who had worked so hard running up and down the field all morning.

Could Hillside really secure 2 victories in a morning?  Would Thorpe Rovers break us down?

NOT A CHANCE!

We won the game 3-1 and should feel very proud of the performance delivered today.  Everyone held their heads high and the team left the field to a round of appluase from the parents.  There were so many contenders for Man of the Match and the decision was very difficult today.  The squad were thanked for their efforts -

Matthew - made some absolutely superb saves particularly keeping us in the game against Thorpe Rovers with a wonderful save from a free kick.

Marley - our stalwart at the back - always the last man back and can be counted upon to ensure the ball does not get past him.  A great Captain who encourages his team and can always be relied upon.

Paul - really playing well in his position at left back.  Made some excellent tackles and cleared the ball on numerous occasions.

Caleb - so loves playing up front but did such a great job for us today running the pitch and getting the ball up front. Really solid games.

James - A superb 2 games where James ran his socks off.  He was up and down the pitch and let nothing past him.  Made some excellent tackles to keep Hillside in both games.

James - really taking well to his position in right midfield.  Always getting into position and making some excellent runs forward.

Harry - an out and out striker and boy do we need someone like this up front.  What a day with 2 excellent goals.

Brandon - an awesome day on the pitch today taking every opportunity to get the ball up front.  Took advantage of the opportunities given to him and scored 2 fantastic goals.

Matt - we needed Matt at the end of the games where we were seeing tired legs on other players.  He played his part and got stuck in with some great tackles.

So - who deserved Man of the Match after a superb mornings football.  The coaches decided that today's MOM would be Harry for playing some excellent football, getting into spaces and scoring 2 absolutely stunning goals.  Great to see Harry playing at his best.

It could have been anyone awarded the MOM today - but Harry so rightly deserved it.

So then it was off to McDonalds to celebrate our achievements where most of the boys turned up at the right restaurant on time (only 3 did not who went with Michelle to the wrong restuarant)!  We had our meal which was well deserved and headed off home looking forward to the next matches in a fortnights time.  We have the taste for winning now - and I can't wait to see the league tables a bit later on this evening.  4 points in the bag and everyone who played deserves a big pat on the back.

Well Done to all the players and a big thank you to the parents for playing such an important part in the game with words (and screams) of encouragement.  I must also say a big thank you to Lee for keeping the back 3 in shape and in position and also to Mandy for supplying the Oranges at half time.

See you all at training on Saturday - from 2 very pleased coaches!!!

David Cox and Richard Pace