Falcons take the hatchet to Datchet.

U15 Falcons Match Report

Brown, 18 FK
Brown, 48

After promotion last season, we are playing a lot of new teams in this division and Datchet are another one of
those.

Datchet is a bit closer than some of other opponents. Pitch was flat for a change. After our first win this season in the Cup last week, could we bring that form back into the league? We expected a tough match as going into this game Datchet were top of our league and unbeaten in league and cup.

A Red Kite was circling over the pitch before (and during) the match, I took this to be a good omen for the
Falcons!!

Before the game we spoke about the need to have a good game off the ball, to be decisive when under the press in defence and to again focus on our passing game which has been working better in the last two games.

1st Half
We started 10 minutes late as the Ref was stuck in traffic! We also had 2 minutes silence for Armistice Day, which was impeccably observed by both teams.

Max
Frankie Ioan Nathan Gabriel
Eadoin Stanley Rufus Liam(Cameron) Jack
Marcus

The Falcons started on the front foot with good possession. We looked confident and determined passing the ball about nicely. We almost took an early lead after 3 minutes when Eadoin cut inside from the wing and let loose a curler which hit the crossbar.

Datchet are a good passing team and play a similar style of football to us. When they strung some passes together they looked like the league leaders they are and they had some chances early on too. But our defence dealt with these really well, Wing backs Gabriel & Frankie had their oppos in their pocket, Nathan made some crucial interceptions and turnovers and Ioan bringing the ball out of defence well. Datchet had several corners early on and we were alert to these, Ioan heading clear and Max in goal claiming a couple of them excellently
too.

It was after 18minutes that the deadlock was broken. Falcons won a free kick about 20 yards out. Eadoin stepped up and his shot went over the defence and ‘keeper and dipped under the bar. A super strike and no less than the Falcons deserved! (0-1).

Several other Falcons had attempts too, Liam’s shot was just wide, Marcus, who was playing up front today, had a couple of chances and had two Datchet defenders on him most of the time, creating space for others really well.

The Falcons were on top now. Our midfield of Rufus, Stanley and Liam pressing Datchet when they had the ball and winning it back or frustrating them all over the pitch. Our wing play was great too with Eadoin and Jack really putting a shift in.

HT (0-1)

A great first half, but a slender lead. It was clear from moments in the first half that we would need to keep our high tempo, pressing and passing going in the second half, something we discussed with the team at half time.

2nd Half
Jack
Frankie Ioan Nathan Gabriel
Marcus Cameron Rufus Liam (Stanley) Eadoin
Max

Bit of a shuffle for the second half Eadoin swapping wings, Jack in goal and Max up front.

The boys dug in into the second half with the same pace and determination with which they played the first.
You felt that whoever scored next would be crucial.

We didn’t have to wait too long. 8 minutes in, Eadoin received the ball on the left from Liam and came forward, switched pace and came inside to shoot, his path to goal blocked, he escaped the attentions of two defenders and I thought he’d taken it to far, but although his swivelled shot had no real power, the goal ‘keeper had tracked his run and was completely wrong-footed. Eadoin’s shot escaped his flailing save into the bottom left corner. (0-2).

Eadoin almost got a hat-trick 3 minutes later, a similar move, but a higher strike saw the ‘keeper make a fingertip save to push the ball over. Cameron and Rufus had a great second half in midfield getting forward more whilst Liam and Stanley were pressing hard and breaking up Datchet play in support.

Datchet had to fight back and they did, Jack made two excellent saves in quick succession. Datchet were pushing hard and it looked like they had scored after 53 minutes with a goal-bound shot only for Frankie to make an excellence clearance off the goal line, great positioning!!

At the other end too, Falcons had more chances with A great shot from Rufus going millimetres over the bar, close!

The only further danger was a shot over the bar from Datchet towards the end. The Falcons saw the game out well to record their first League win.

Sometimes in football, you have the performance, but don’t get the result, other times you get a result, without perhaps the best performance.

Today we had both an excellent performance and the result we deserved.

Shout outs

Nathan – great positioning at the back and a number of great turnovers and interceptions throughout the match today, played the last 10 minutes on the right wing due to an injury too! Versatile! J

Max and Jack – not one, but two very assured goalkeeping performances today for our first clean sheet of the
season. Safe Hands (x2)

But my Player of the week was Eadoin, not just for his two super goals, but for his energy and work on both wings today. He didn’t stop running all game and was constantly winning the ball on both flanks. Well done!!

COYF!!!
Phill