On a nice sunny , but blowy start to our 9 v 9 world, we faced our local rivals Chertsey Town Blues, who always give us a good well balanced match. We trained the boys on Weds to get used to the off-side rule and also to get them used to playing out from the back, as the retreat rule has gone. We had 11 players , with Toby off , we invited our new prospect Albert to come and try playing with the team.

We started off well, with Daniel in GK, and the rest of the boys playing their best positions. We will mix them up a bit more in the next few weeks worth of friendlies. First goal came soon enough , with a shot from Oliver firing in from the wing, it went through their Defenders and Stan perfectly tapped in it at the back post, unmarked , and we were 1-0 up .

Our Midfield and defenders were absolutely spot on today , winning many of the balls and the battles we were having, they all showed great spirit and the link up play was amazing, with some great great transitions. Our second goal from a trade-mark Alfie shot from outside the ( much larger) penalty box, and sailed into the top bins, what an amazing goal!! We had a slight worry not long after when both our Forwards got clattered and we had to sub them both, as looked like head injuries. Dan and Stan came off just to be safe . We went into half time 2-0 - Daniel
had touched the ball 5 times in our goal. None of them saves , shows you how good our 3 defenders were today !!

Second Half comes along, and the VW Ravens step up a gear , and I would estimate had 80% possesion in this half! A few minutes in , Dan burst through the Penalty area and had a great 50/50 tackle with the goalie from a 1-on-1 , the ball went loose, and with defenders chasing him and the GK trying to jump on the ball, , Dan beat them all and side-footed into the side of the net, 3-0 to the Ravens and effectively contest over. The VW boys didn't see it that way, and were still banging at the door. Every single player today did us proud . Our Debut player, Albert, really impressed us with jinking runs on the wing and had some great link up play with Dan H and Oliver. Stan had some great runs in the Second half, beating the off-side traps and dealing with the increasing physical challenges from a frustrated opponents. Who seemed to be coming off the worse from their challenges on our players. Play must have stopped 5 or 6 times in the second half alone. Dan had another shot just finger-tipped saved by the keeper, and the resulting corner that came, was so close to connecting into the goal !! Not long after, it was good-night, when a fantastic shot from Oliver, went across the mouth of the goal and beat them all, to nestle on the corner, 4- 0 ...... job done.

A great learning experience for both teams, neither of which have played on a 9 v 9 before- with 30 minute halves , much bigger pitch, no retreat and of course offside. The Consensus from the boys at the end of the game, was they loved 9 v 9 and cant wait to start the U11 season !!

Goalscorers- Stan , Dan , Alfie and Oliver
MOM - Albert & Dan

See you all Weds. Next Match is at Home at Timbers next Sunday 27th !