Date	Sunday 6th November 2011
Match	Royston Town Youth Eagles v Sawbridgeworth Town Juniors
Competition	Royston Crow Youth Football League U12 Division 2
Result	Won 2-1
Royston Scorers	Lewis A, Frankie
Man of Match	Frankie – worked hard all game, took his goal and deserved more.

Back to League action this week after our exit from the County Cup.

 

Sometimes you have to dig deep to win. You need belief that you are good enough, have faith in your own skills plus that of your other team members.

 

The lads showed this week that they have that belief!

 

We started slowly. Maybe the first winter chills had affected them, or maybe they were still nervous from last week’s heavy defeat. Either way, Sawbo started the better and had us pinned into our own half for the first 10 minutes.

 

Some sterling work from the back four of Lewis W, Jamie C, Jamie P and Stephen kept them out and we managed to settle down. We started to put our tackles in and track back to defend, and Lewis A was starting to get the better of the Sawbo defence, using his speed and skills to pin them back.

 

Frankie was coming into the game more and our midfield trio of Billy, Frankie and Jack all pushed forward when needed to assist Lewis. After 15 minutes the first goal came. Billy fed the ball out wide, Tom passed in to Lewis A who used his pace to beat the defence take it round the keeper and calmly slot the ball home. 1 – 0!

 

That seemed to galvanise our team. We made a couple of quick changes – Lewis P coming on for Jack and Callum coming on for Charlie A on the left. As always, the subs slotted in well and made their presence known. We continued to have the better of the first half despite a couple of Sawbo breaks. Charlie C in goal was up to the task however, and we ended the half 1 – 0 up.

 

We talked about keeping up the pressure when we didn’t have the ball, and attacking with pace when we did.

However, Sawbo started stronger again in the second half. They soon had us under pressure again and a harsh decision by the ref. for a “supposed” back pass, gave them an indirect free kick on the 6 yard line!!!! Nothing anyone could do about it as they whacked the ball in for 1 – 1.

 

In previous matches we may have conceded more after that. However, it’s a testament to how well the lads are progressing that they lifted themselves and came back stronger!.

 

Charlie M came on for Tom and made an immediate impact. He took the ball and attacked the Sawbo defence. He managed to get wide and then deftly passed into Frankie who was waiting on the edge of the box. With some excellent footwork he took the ball forward and beat the keeper down low to his left. 2 –1.

 

More attacks followed and Frankie was unlucky to have another goal ruled out for a foul. Despite a late Sawbo rally we managed to hold on and gained a well-deserved and hard fought victory!

 

The lads are now becoming a team, fighting for each other, supporting each other and believing in each other. We won’t always win, but if we work together we will ensure we are hard to beat. Well done ! Onwards and upwards.

 

Squad – Jamie C (Captain), Jamie P, Charlie C, Charlie A, Stephen, Frankie, Lewis P, Lewis W, Jack, Tom, Lewis A, Callum, Billy, Charlie M

 

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