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MATCH REPORTS

Under 8's BLUES 07 / 08

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16th Sep 2007

In what was a repeat of last seasons U7s Cup Final, Warley Blues gained revenge for their defeat by Brighouse Chiefs with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory. In a match of very high quality from both sides, Warley elected to kick into the strong wind in the first half but still just about had the upper hand with Ethan, Adam and Dom each having several good chances but finding the Chiefs keeper in excellent form.

Despite the advantage of the strong wind, Brighouse rarely troubled either Sam at the back or Alex in goal and with the odd exception were largely restricted to some long range efforts. With the score 0-0 at halftime, Warley introduced Thomas for his debut and he showed enough to suggest he’ll be a useful addition to the small squad. Apart from a good cross well headed away by Sam, Brighouse didn’t threaten as much playing into the wind and began to look second best as the game opened up and the Blues put together some intelligent passing moves of a high standard. For a while after Ethan had a good volley go just wide, it seemed the elusive winning goal would never come but with a few minutes left Warley’s pressure finally told when Adam fired home from close range.

Brighouse weren’t finished and made a fight of it until the final whistle, but Warley kept them at bay readily enough and overall probably deserved to win by another goal.  It was an excellent team performance in which it was impossible to single out a man of the match, and one which augurs well for another good season.  

Team: Alex, Sam, Adam, Dom, Ethan, Thomas.

23 Sep 2007


Warley Blues continued their unbeaten start to the season with a convincing 6-0 victory against a Northowram team that battled well but rarely threatened to score.

 

On their small, sloping pitch Northowram started the match in bright mood kicking down the hill and matched the visitors for the first five minutes or so, but once the Blues had taken the lead it was mostly one way traffic and Warley went into the break 3-0 up courtesy of a hat trick from Adam. Dom came out of goals for the second half and scored three himself, but the most rewarding aspect of the performance was not the score but the excellent teamwork and interplay between all the team that created numerous chances and would have resulted in many more goals on a larger pitch more akin to what the boys will be playing on most weeks this year.  

 

Ethan took the man of the match award after just losing out last week with another excellent performance in which his selflessness and vision stood out.  Sam and Alex also turned in solid performances, while Thomas and Bradley both contributed several good touches and rarely looked flustered.    

 

The teams then played a second match of 7-a-side with the Blues once again passing and moving to a very high standard, allowing all the squad to try out several different positions in an enjoyable game.  

 

Team: Adam, Sam, Alex, Dom, Ethan, Thomas, Bradley

7th October 2007

The Blues failed to get their passing game going in a 6-a-side game on a tight pitch, but still ran out emphatic winners against a Ryburn team that never gave up and played some neat football in patches but rarely threatened the Warley goal.

 

New acquisition Charlie made a promising debut slotting in well up front, and could have opened the scoring early on but for pulling his shot just wide. He continued to link in well showing some nice touches, but with the home side defending in numbers space was always at a premium and Warley had several efforts blocked before Adam finally opened the scoring with a lovely flick with the outside of his boot into the corner. As the half wore on Warley got more and more on top and added three more goals through Ethan, Dom and Adam again.

 

Charlie replaced Thomas in goal for the second half, but had little to do except tip the ball round for a corner on the only occasion that Ryburn got clean through on goal. Man of the match Sam moved from defence to a more forward position and scored a hat trick with the final one the highlight after a good touchline run form Dom. Dom scored another himself straight from a corner, and both Sam and Brad also had good chances but were denied by some good Ryburn defending.

 

Team: Charlie, Adam, Thomas, Dom, Ethan, Brad, Sam

October 14th,

Warley Blues were made to work harder than the 6-0 scoreline suggests by a committed Elland team that kept it very tight for the first half and put some good passing moves together in what was an entertaining encounter.

The Blues were soon back in the passing groove on their wide pitch after last weeks stifled efforts on Ryburn’s tight ground, and put some neat moves together right from the kickoff, but the Elland keeper proved tough to beat and he made some several good saves to keep his side level until approaching half time when he rather unluckily let a speculative long shot from Sam trickle through his legs. Charlie made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, thundering home his first goal for the club off the post after running on to another fine ball through the visiting defence.

In the second half, Warley scored another four goals, Man of the Match Dom getting a hat trick with Ethan (who must have pushed Dom close for that award after another selfless display) getting the other after sprinting clear from halfway. Once again much of the passing and movement was of a high quality and excellent to watch, and the boys could have scored another couple with a bit more composure in front of goal.

In a second match of 6-a-side, those who had played forward in the first match played at the back or went in goal, while those that had played back went forward. Warley won the game 2-1 with good finishes from both Thomas (his first too, and in the top corner as well) and Adam, who it should be mentioned also had a strong game in the first match. Alex, back from his holiday, and Brad also got involved and all the boys can be pleased with their contribution.

Team; Adam, Dom, Alex, Ethan, Sam, Bradley, Thomas, Charlie.

Nov 4th,

Warley Blues continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive victory over a committed St Columbas side that defended solidly in numbers. The pitch which was a bit too small to accommodate the 6-a-side match the home side wanted, and on which the grass looked in need of a good cut. Warley took a very early lead when Sam put a free kick out of the reach of the keeper, but the Blues struggled to get their passing game together kicking uphill in the long grass with several moves breaking down. As the half wore on St Columbas came more into it and equalised with an excellent finish which Ethan, in goal until halftime, could do little about. Warley nearly added another before the end of the half when another shot from Sam was tipped onto the bar by the keeper, but despite being on top were unable to convert their superiority into goals. Kicking downhill in the second half, Warley had things pretty much all their own way, with Adam putting in Ethan for the second with a slick pass across the box and then Dom going on a roaming run before firing home the third, but time and time again they found a packed home defence hard to break down. Man of the Match was Charlie with a composed display, his best yet, though Thomas also deserves a positive mention looking sharp up front.

In a second match of 7-a-side, Warley won 4-0 with Alex scoring twice and nearly getting another but blasting his shot just wide. Ethan added the other two in another tidy display.

Team: Adam, Charlie, Sam, Thomas, Dom, Alex, Ethan.

Nov 11th,

Warley Blues came through a dogged encounter against Greetland Gold with a bit more ease than the final score indicates.

The Gold, who inflicted Warley’s only defeat outside of the Cup Final last year, were well organised and defended solidly despite conceding an early goal when Adam picked up a loose ball, beat his man and fired just inside the near post. The first half tended to be played mostly in the Greetland half, though the visitors came back into it more and more as half time approached by bypassing Warley’s crowded midfield and had a couple of long range shots which weren’t that far away.

The Blues took the game to the visitors in the second half, forcing numerous corners, and could have had scored several goals with a bit more speed or composure in front of goal, but as it was added only one, and that late on too, as Thomas finished smarty with a low shot into the corner. Greetland weren’t finished, but the final chance of an entertaining match fell to Charlie whose shot was well saved by the Gold keeper.

Man of the Match was Sam who mopped up every time Greetland came near goal; Alex had another super game in goal on the few occasions he was called upon; and Dom, Ethan and Brad (who nearly scored his first of the season) all played their part in a comprehensive victory.

A second match ended 1-1 with Charlie scoring the equaliser after Sam had missed a penalty.



Team; Alex, Adam, Sam, Dom, Ethan, Brad, Thomas, Charlie.Nov 18th,

Nov 18th,

The Blues match against Todmorden Borough had to be cancelled after Todmorden were unable to raise a team.

Hopefully, the earlier postponed games against tough opponents Halifax Irish Greens and Crossley Juniors, which both promise to be crackers, can be rearranged before the Christmas break.

 

Nov 25th,

The Blues warmed up for their potentially tricky clash with Todmorden Sports next week with a decisive win over HAFC in a game of 6-a-side.

The result was never in doubt from the moment Adam put the home side ahead, and Dom added two more goals before half time though the boys claimed that Ethan should have been awarded one too after his shot off the post went over the line out of sight of the referee.

Charlie, in goals for the first half, was a mere (and cold!) observer never touching the ball once, but he played out in the second half and was involved in everything and once again impressed with his long throw ins. Ethan got the fourth before before Sam, up front in the second half, added a couple more, including a belting free kick which the HAFC keeper, who had a good game on the whole, was unable to save.

The best goal was saved for last. Ethan had twice gone on a great touchline run down the left in the first half only to see an excellent cross wasted as no one was there to follow up, but the lesson was clearly learned as Dom did the same late in the second on the right but Man of the Match Thomas was there this time to slot home.

HAFC got a late consolation from the penalty spot after the unfortunate Alex had handled in the area.

Team: Adam, Alex, Charlie, Dom, Ethan, Thomas, Brad, Sam.
 

Dec 2nd


The Blues continues their unbeaten season with a tidy dismissal of a Tod Sports team that had won their last two friendly matches 18-1 and 14-2 and the previous week had apparently given the Manchester City academy U8’s a close game.

For all their credentials, though, and the inclusion of ex Blues player Lee Broadbent, Tod were nearly always on the back foot in a game that had to be switched to Astroturf, and arguably got off lightly with the final score. On top right from the start, Warley quickly forced several corners and took the lead when Man Of The Match Adam pounced on a clearance and fired the ball home. He added a second shortly afterwards, and Warley could have had three or four more but for some desperate last-ditch defending by the home team. Tod pulled the score back to 2-1 after forcing the ball home past Alex from close range, but straightaway Thomas found Ethan with a smart pass and Ethan slipped it past the keeper with a cool finish.

As the second half wore on, Tod found it hard to get past Dom, Charlie and Sam, who all worked hard at the back or in midfield, and went 4-1 down when Brad ran onto a through ball and struck it sweetly into the corner. Adam got his hat trick to round off the scoring, though Tod nearly pulled one back late on but was denied by a great save from Ethan who had swapped with Alex, who hadn’t had much to do, in goal.

Team; Adam, Charlie, Sam, Dom, Brad, Thomas, Alex, Ethan

Dec 9th

The Blues maintained their record of winning all their matches this season but only managed it late on after a tense battle against a strong and often skilful Hebden Bridge side in a contest which the Blues just about shaded.

With Alex and Ethan absent through illness and a couple of those that started under the weather, the Blues had less options than usual and perhaps not surprisingly seemed somewhat lack lustre in a first half which was fought out largely in midfield. Warley were limited to just a couple of chances, Dom sending a shot just past the post on one occasion, and it was the visitors who had the came closest only for Charlie, in goal for the first half, to pull off a great save to stop what seemed a certain goal.

With the big Hebden keeper kicking long every time, the visitors were always a threat even from their own goal mouth, but Warley gradually got the upper hand in the second half and after Dom and Adam went close when breaking clear, finally got the winning goal. And a cracking goal it was too. Charlie went on a marauding run along the top touch line, surviving several tackles, and after some neat interplay with Thomas, including a back heel, the ball found its way outside the box to Dom who beat his man and slipped it past the keeper with the outside of his foot. Hebden had a shot well saved by Man of the Match Brad on the near post late on and then forced a couple of corners to set up a nervous finish, but the Blues held firm for another clean sheet. All credit to the visitors, though, who played their part in an entertaining match and kept Sam at the back far busier than usual.

Team: Adam, Dom, Charlie, Thomas, Brad, Sam.

Jan 12th

The Blues continued their winning run with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Beacon Rangers, who did very well considering they haven’t been formed long and gave the Blues a tougher ride than might have been expected. Warley looked rusty after the Christmas break and with several players trying different positions took a while to get going. After a goalless first half, Warley finally got the breakthrough when Adam slotted home and then sewed up the game up when Ethan cracked in a left footer. A second match ended 3-1 to Warley (Adam, Ethan 2) with the visitors scoring a well-deserved goal with the last kick of the game.

Team; Adam, Sam, Dom, Brad, Charlie, Ethan, Alex, Thomas.


Jan 13th

Having won all their matches against the better teams in the first set of fixtures, the Blues embarked on their trawl through the remaining teams who they have yet to play and were originally in the (b) League with a comprehensive 8-0 victory over Greetland Stars, despite missing Ethan and Brad. It was 1-0 at half time before Warley let loose in the second half playing uphill, scoring seven more including a couple of crackers. Goals came from Dom (3), Adam (3) Alex and Thomas. Charlie was Man of the Weekend matches, judged on both games.

Team; Adam, Dom, Thomas, Sam, Charlie, Alex.

Jan 27th

The Blues continued their winning spree with a straightforward victory over Halifax Irish Golds. The home side had their best moment in the first minute when they put a free kick just wide, but after that it was one-way traffic and despite playing into a strong wind Warley were 3-0 up at halftime courtesy of Dom (2) and Charlie. The goals continued to flow in the second half as the boys changed positions on a big, wide pitch that could have been designed for them, Dom getting his hat trick then leaving the rest to Alex(2), Adam, Sam and Ethan, who deservedly got the man of the match award after another good display of dribbling, passing and crossing.

A second game of 5 mins a half ended 2-0 with Thomas getting one of the goals.  

Team; Sam, Brad, Dom, Ethan, Thomas, Charlie, Alex, Adam.

Feb 3rd

Warley Blues made it 13 wins on the trot with another ready win, this time against Halifax Irish Whites, in very cold and uncomfortable conditions on the Moor.
Warley kicked downhill in the first half but, not for the first time, found the following wind and slope counting against them and struggled to impose their authority on the game despite having the majority of the possession. Man of the Match Adam scored the only goal, a cracking shot on the turn which beat a useful Irish keeper on the near post.
As expected kicking into the wind and up the slope in the second half, Warley soon took a tight grip on the match. Adam went on a roving touchline run before crossing for Dom to make it 2-0. Adam had one of his best games of the season and added the next two before setting up Brad for the last goal almost on the final whistle.
The visitors, who had only lost two games since September by all accounts, played some nice football in midfield on occasions and showed they could pass the ball well given the opportunity, but they found it hard to bypass the Warley midfield and when they did, found Sam at the top of his form at the back. Charlie again showed some good touches and looked solid in the tackle, while Ethan was a bit subdued and took over from Alex in goal for the second half.
A second match also ended 5-0 to Warley in which it was good to see an increasingly confident Brad score a cracker in the first half.

Team; Brad, Adam, Sam, Ethan, Dom Alex, Charlie.

Feb 17th

Warley Blues extended their winning run to fourteen matches with a hard-fought victory over their toughest rivals in the Calderdale JFC U8 section, the Halifax Irish Greens.

In a match played in sunny conditions on a still thawing pitch that was slippery in places, Warley started brightly kicking into the sun with Dom hitting the bar from an acute angle. Halifax Irish came back into the game strongly, though, and after putting several passing moves together of a high standard twice went close with strong shots from the left and right that just missed the post. As in recent games, Warley seemed to take some time to get going, and after being on the back foot for a while, it was no surprise when the home side took the lead late in the first half when their livewire striker Jake slotted the ball past Alex in goal. Warley lifted the tempo after that, but the home side held on comfortably for a 1-0 lead and, if truth be told, their keeper hadn’t really had a lot to do.

Warley started the second half much better though and soon seized the upper hand by bossing the midfield much as they have done in all their matches this year, Adam having three attempts go just wide before Dom himself managed to find that same ‘target’ just wide of the post with a long-range effort. Despite having the majority of the possession, it seemed the elusive equaliser was not going to come, but, midway through the half, after good play by Adam on the right, the ball found its way to Ethan in the box and he hit it first time straight into the top corner. The Greens came back into the game and had a couple of corners before Warley got the winning goal when Dom found himself unmarked in the box and fired the ball into the roof of the net. The home side weren’t finished and forced a couple more corners late on, Sam making a good block from one thundering shot, but Warley could have had another themselves when Alex had a good effort if only a bit too near to the keeper.

This was an excellent match and all credit to the Greens for giving the Blues their toughest contest of the season. All the Blues played well, Brad, Thomas and Charlie, who made a couple of vital clearances when in goal for the second half, too, and if truth be told, there was very little in it as far as the Man of the Match was concerned, but Dom just edged it for his overall effort.
Team; Adam, Dom, Charlie, Thomas, Brad, Sam, Ethan, Alex

Feb 24th

Warley Blues made it fifteen wins on the trot with a 10-0 victory over newcomers Lightcliffe Lightning. Goals were scored by Alex (3), Adam (2), Ethan (2), Thomas (2) and Charlie, who headed in a corner from Ethan. Dom was in goal for the first half but had little to do, and neither did Sam who replaced him in the second half, apart from tipping a rare shot from the home side on to the bar. This was another straightforward win which once again illustrated the wide gulf between some of the teams in the League and raises the question of whether the Calderdale JFC really ought to split the teams into two divisions of broadly similar abilities for the forthcoming U9 season instead of allowing a repeat of the rather unequal everyone plays everyone else situation that has prevailed this season.

Man of the Match was Thomas for really getting stuck in.



Team; Sam, Dom, Ethan, Thomas, Adam, Alex, Brad, Charlie.

Mar 2nd

Having lost gallantly 0-2 against the Bradford City Academy U8s the day before, Warley got back to winning ways with another routine victory back against Calderdale opposition, this time beating Northowram Rams in a match overshadowed by a very strong crosswind in cold conditions on the Moor.
The visitors request for a 7-a-side match meant that space was always tight, not least in and around the Northowram penalty area where most of the action took place, and it was some while before Warley broke the deadlock after the visiting keeper fumbled into his own net. Adam made it 2-0 shortly after with a long range shot before Ethan added another with a good finish into the corner.
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first. Dom came out of goal and scored the fourth before Ethan got his second to round off the scoring in a rather one-sided match.
Man of the Match was Alex who had his best game for a while.

Team; Dom, Brad, Ethan, Charlie, Sam, Thomas, Adam, Alex.

Mar 9th

Warley were given a closer run than expected by a much improved Crossley Swifts team who deserve plenty of credit for being the first team to score two goals against the normally tight Blues defence. On a sloping and bumpy, and far too narrow, pitch that was of little help to either team, Warley took some time to get themselves organised as seems increasingly to be the case, but despite performing below their best in a half dominated frustratingly by the sound of the referee’s whistle, still managed to lead 3-0 at half time thanks to goals from Man of the Match Adam (2) and a rather subdued Dom. The home side rarely threatened, but Warley could have had a couple more, Sam being particularly unlucky with a looping effort from inside his own half which the keeper did well to push round the post.
Kicking downhill, Crossley came back into the game in the second half and, clearly lifted by a thundering free kick which rocketed straight past Alex in goals and into the net, pressed forward in search of another score and got it after Dom lost the ball and, one nice one-two later, the ball was in the net. The home crowd sensed a comeback, but normal service was soon resumed when Ethan, who had another good game, angled a rare shot with his right foot into the corner to make the final score 4-2. Thomas and Brad took turns up front, but struggled to find space given the narrow confines of the pitch.

A second 7-a-side match allowing Crossley to give a run out to their far bigger squad ended 2-0 to Warley, with Sam getting a well-deserved goal.

Team; Sam, Adam, Alex, Dom, Ethan, Brad, Thomas.

Mar 16th


In their first match in their new kit, Warley turned on the style against a decent Ryburn side, effectively having the game sewn up by halftime after storming into a 5-1 lead with probably their best display all season.
Out of the blocks much quicker than usual, Warley dominated the early exchanges but had to wait a few minutes before Alex opened the scoring, thundering home a shot form the edge of the area after a good pass form Dom. A second goal followed quickly after a cross from Ethan was deflected into the net, before Dom added a third when dinking the ball into the corner with the outside of his foot. Further goals followed from Adam and Dom again as Warley were well in control, though Ryburn showed they could be a threat too and got a goal back with a strong long range shot which Charlie in goal couldn’t stop.
The rout that looked likely at half time never materialised in the second half and all credit to Ryburn who made a couple of changes and ensured the game was played out largely in midfield. Despite enjoying the greater amount of possession, Warley had relatively few chances, though Man of the Match Sam nearly had a candidate for goal of the season when a thundering shot from well inside his own half just flew past the top corner. Late on, Ryburn got a second goal when they forced home a corner, ironically exactly what the Blues have been practising recently but were unable to execute themselves on the day despite several chances.

Team; Brad, Sam, Dom, Charlie, Alex, Ethan, Adam, Thomas.

March 27th

Warley U8 Blues won their first tournament of the year when taking the U8 John Hendrie Invitation Trophy at the Bradford City indoor Centre of Excellence last Thursday, overcoming a team selected from the boys who train with Bradford City in the final.
The only team from Calderdale in the tournament, Warley won all of their three group stages by a combined total of 23-1, going straight to the semi-final where they faced Westwood, currently top of the Keybury League in Bradford. Against a bigger, far more physical and aggressive team than Warley usually encounter, the Blues stood up really well to the challenge and played much the better football only to find the Westwood keeper in top form. Despite having failed to convert numerous chances, Warley finally looked to have made the game safe when going 3-1 up, but a late goal form Westwood led to a nervous finish, Warley eventually running out deserved 3-2 winners.
In the final Warley came up against largely the same set of skilful boys that had recently beaten them 2-0 in a 30 min invitational game at Thornton Grammar School. On this occasion, though, the Blues weren’t fazed and more than matched the Bradford City select side in an exciting match. The Bradford City boys took the lead before Warley pulled the scores level, only to fall behind once again. The boys responded well though and with a couple of minutes left pulled the score back to 2-2 and might even have won it had the Bradford keeper not pushed a shot onto his crossbar in the dying seconds. The game then went to penalties, Warley going first and holding their nerve well, converting all their penalties, eventually running out winners when one of the Bradford boys pulled his penalty wide.
All the boys put in excellent performances and it was impossible to single out a Man Of The Match.
Goals were scored by Dom (10), Charlie (5), Ethan (5), Sam (3), Thomas (3) and Adam (2).
Team; Dom, Sam, Adam, Charlie, Thomas, Ethan.

Apr 13th

Freshened up after a week off (no thanks to the Calderdale JFC who, for reasons best known to themselves, unjustly awarded the Blues two fixtures this month against the now defunct Todmorden Borough, making that three in total now for the year) and with the tournament season just around the corner, the Blues look set for top showing in those events after a demolition job on the unfortunate Brighouse Warriors who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hot on the heels of their smart display against Ryburn and their win in the Bradford City indoor 5-a-side tournament, Warley continued in just about their best form of the season, passing and dribbling to a high standard and creating numerous chances that, with a bit less over elaboration and more directness, could have seen them score at least 15 goals. As it was, it was 4-0 after the first half, in which Man Of The Match Thomas again showed how much he has improved, the other goals coming from Ethan (2) and Charlie, though Dom could have had a hat trick himself, hitting the post and having a thunderous shot tipped on to the bar by the visiting keeper.
The Blues added 5 more goals in the second half, Ethan getting another brace, with Dom, Adam and Charlie also getting on the score sheet. Sam had a couple of long roving runs from the back in which he went close with his shots while Brad had a couple of opportunities but was just beaten to the ball by an overworked defence. Brighouse twice went close themselves and were particularly unlucky not to score with a glancing header that hit the post, but, in truth, the Blues looked like they could score they wanted to and would have done so more regularly with more shooting and less passing.
Team; Brad, Dom, Sam, Charlie, Ethan, Thomas, Adam
.
 

Apr 27th

Warley Blues made it a perfect 20 out of 20 for the season with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Brighouse Braves in a match played in pouring rain on the Moor. With Sam and Brad missing, Warley had to rely on the six players left in the squad in a game of 6-a-side whereas the visitors had the luxury of several substitutes. Despite that, the game was played largely in the Brighouse half, but Warley left it until shortly before halftime before taking the lead, Adam moving from defence to midfield and slotting the ball home. Ethan clocked up Warley’s 100th goal of the season when making it 2-0 early in the second half, but Warley were unable to add another as the visitors fought hard in defence.

That makes the final totals for the season …W20 D0 L0 F100 A8

Goal scorers were …

Adam 27    Dom 25    Ethan 20   Sam 8   Alex 7   Thomas 5   Charlie 5   Brad 2   o.g 1

 

           

 

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