Year Group News - Under 10's

More match reports, from November 2009

22 November 2009 at Blofield

Hillside Rovers U10's 0 v 2 Blofield

With Haixin out due to a broken arm, Alex D was back in defence alongside Niall. Tom was in goal and the other regulars, Sam, Adam, Cameron and Finn, were in midfield and attack, with Rayne coming on in both matches as a sub. The first half was an almighty defensive battle: Blofield struck the crossbar but it bounded out, then they hit a post, but the defence held out and somehow it was still 0-0 at half-time. Our team didn't really mount any serious attacks and it was only a question of time before Blofield scored; it ended up 0-2.

Hillside Rovers U10's 1 v 3 Hellesdon

Memories of the great performance in the last match against Diss gave hope, but today was a reminder that unless everyone plays at 100 per cent then we can struggle against most teams. It looked at first like the teams were evenly matched, but then we lost two quick goals and that's how it ended up at half-time, despite Hillside forcing a couple of corners. Early in the second half there was a brief moment of good team-play upfront; Sam found Finn in front of goal where he firmly tucked away the ball to reduce the deficit. A terrific save from Tom pushed a powerful shot onto the top of the crossbar. But it was day when routine passing skills and energy for battling seemed to be in short supply, with Hellesdon's third goal putting the match to bed at 1-3.

Coaches: Dave Carson and Eliot Barker. Match reports, Chris Durdin

Match report, 8 November 2009 at Jex

Hillside Rovers U10's 1 v 1 Diss

We had only one game today therefore we decided to select only eight players. Unfortunately James had to call off in the morning due to illness so we went with just seven. The team lined up as it had on several occasions before: Tom in goal, Alex D & Niall at the back, Adam, Sam & Cameron in the middle and Finn up front. Diss were in third place in the league so we expected a tough game, which we got.

Tom was being strong in goal, making some decent stops. Niall was having a great game in defence, getting everything away and with Alex who as usual was everywhere, Diss couldn't get through. Adam was playing 'out of his skin', heading everything and giving support to Alex & Niall. Sam and Cameron were working well with Finn. It looked a very good shape. Then came the moment ... the ball was picked up by our midfield who got it up to Finn, he in turn kept battling and eventually the ball crossed the penalty area and as it did, so Adam was arriving just at the right moment to meet it with the sweetest shot which flew passed Diss's goalkeeper and into the net, 1-0 Hillside.

Diss then really came at us and they had a great shot which was going in all the way when Tom made an outstanding fingertip save to push the ball onto the bar, fantastic!

The second half continued with Hillside playing some very defiant defending, and we also had some chances. By now the boys were beginning to tire as we had no subs. Diss kept on but we stood strong. I asked the ref "How long?" and he replied "40 seconds!" Almost there ...but oh, not quite. Diss got the ball, Niall challenged, Alex challenged but unluckily the ball stayed at Diss's feet and even though Tom partly stopped it, a Diss Town boy got it into the net! 1-1. The game finished at the kick off and we had drawn, which was a brilliant result but it didn't quite feel that to me. Well done boys, again.  

Dave Carson and Eliot Barker

For Under 10's fixtures 2009/10 click here. 

More match reports from October 2009 and from September 2009