18/10/2009 NEHYL U14 Division 2
Camberley Boys 4 Liphook United Warriors 7
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27/09/2009 NEHYL U14 Division 2
Camberley Boys 2 Headley Youth 6
Team: Brandon, Alex, Max, John, Ben, Chris, James, Daniel, Conor, Stanley, Stephen
Another league debut this week saw James starting in midfield after his impressive two goal display in the friendly against Beaulieu last time out.
Having kicked off in or usual fashion and conceded possession we then did not really see the ball again for 20 minutes as Headley muscled their way into the game using their body weight to gain every possible advantage, which they were able to exploit as the referee was offering little protection.
Unfortunately we were down 0 – 1 within 90 seconds after we conceded a penalty as a striker turned and then came back before Max could move his leg away. The restart was a much better move but our strikers were caught marginally offside. We found ourselves 0 – 3 down after 15 minutes as first a shot squirmed through Brandon’s diving save and then a hit and hope sailed high over Brandon leaving him no chance. 0 – 4 came up as another penalty was awarded for handball on the line. We had also missed a penalty after Stephen was crudely brought down in the area by their last man, having beaten the defence. Oddly, no card was shown.
We finally pulled one back just before half-time as Stephen got ahead of the defence as he raced on to a great ball from Alex and calmly lifted over the advancing keeper.
The second half started with Max switching to midfield and seeing us competing more. We saw the first chance as we worked a position but shot wide. Headley then came storming back and Brandon did exceptionally well to keep out a rasping shot from distance. Right away we worked another opportunity as Alex found Stephen, who released Stanley and as he battled the attentions of three defenders shot just wide.
Chris then had to come off to protect his injured leg and Headley took advantage of the extra player with a ball down our left, a good first time cross and a deft header. 1 – 5 and twenty minutes to play.
We got another and a glimmer of hope as a high ball went through and then broke to Conor who slotted home. 2 – 5 and just reward for Conor given the first half battering he had taken.
The final goal went to Headley after poor defence saw a low cross from a free kick drift across goal and in at the far post as we failed to attack the ball. 2 – 6. Max had to retire with cramp with ten minutes left and whilst Chris was back on he was little more than a decoy to occupy one of the Headley defence.
Having scored the final goal Headley had the final word as Brandon came out to deal with a through ball and was felled with a hard challenge – most of us didn’t see it as the ball was long gone. We thus finished the game with only nine on the pitch.
Overall: The boys did well and showed great spirit to keep going in what was a very physically and mentally demanding match. Again we showed that we can trouble any defence with our pace and movement and that we can play the ball around well.
Man of the match: Ben for his high work rate, constantly tracking back and getting in the challenges that mattered.
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06/09/2009 NEHYL U14 Division 2
Camberley Boys 3 Rushmoor Saints Boys 5
Team: Brandon, Alex, Max, Charley, Ben, Chris, John, Daniel, Conor, Stanley, Stephen
The team had a new look with debuts for Alex, John and Conor as our first game of the season saw us hosting Rushmoor at the Sixth Form College. A dream start in the higher division saw us awarded a penalty in the first minute after Conor was brought down. Stephen converted.
We then discovered a little more about what it takes to compete at a higher level as Rushmoor came back at us and established a 3-1 lead through a combination of mistakes and being second to the ball. We kept on trying though as we got more bite into our tackles and started to successfully pass the ball around on the ground. Just before half time we were right back into it when Stephen toe-poked home as the keeper advanced.
Half time and 2-3 down. There was lots of encouragement to take from the first half and we started the second half brightly, arriving in tackles that crucial half second earlier and timing runs in anticipation of the ball being played.
Stanley got us back to 3-3 racing on to a superb through ball from John who got the ball beyond the defence from the half-way line despite the close attentions of 3 Rushmoor players.
We then relaxed a little and a devastating 2 minute spell saw Rushmoor go 5-3 ahead and effectively seal the game.
Overall: A good start in a higher league with far more positives than things to work on. Good performances from each of the debutants who each grew in stature as the game went on and their confidence built.
Man of the match: a very close call with Conor and Max getting honourable mentions whilst Daniel took the award for a very assured display of pass and move in the midfield
