under 9s Match report page 3

22/3/08 Ferndale Flyers 1 Kidderminster Lions Cubs 3

League Cup Quarter-final

The draw pitched the Flyers against their fellow Group D qualifiers. The two teams were honours even with one win each in their earlier encounters. The Lion Cubs were superior today and progress to the semi-final largely on the strength of their set plays.

The second division side started breezily and were pumping balls into the box from corners and free kicks. Ferndale never got a chance to settle and narrowly managed to keep their goal intact when Ollie cleared off the line, Will saved and Ollie cleared for a second time in quick succession. The Cubs opener came from another corner, the shot hit high in to the top of the net. Three minutes later, Ferndale clawed their way back when a cross was handled in the box to earn a penalty. Without wishing to labour the point, this is team’s first ever penalty and they have had to wait until their fortieth game. With an event that rare, Ollie wasn’t going to waste the opportunity and he hit the perfect spot kick. He and Cameron had other chances but the visitors went ahead again on the stroke of half time, yet another accurate corner this time going in off a Ferndale player.

The second half started in similar vein, a corner this time hitting the far post. Ferndale then started to hit their stride but were never given enough time on the ball and on numerous occasions all they could do was kick the ball into touch. The best chance came when Seb danced passed three players, gave a one-two to Ollie but shot just wide. The lads tried hard but were reduced to shooting from too far out and their keeper was able to field everything. The final goal was a superb free kick straight into the top corner.

The Lions Cubs look certain to be promoted and on this showing they will not be out of their depth in the first division next season. Good luck to them in the next round.

29/3/08 Bewdley Comrades 2 Ferndale Flyers 1

This was a tough game played in a blustery wind and the Comrades did well to battle through a spirited Ferndale defence in the second half.

Bewdley had a large part of the early possession and most of the first half was a succession of corners for the home side. Ferndale were not able to get much of the ball but looked dangerous when they did. Will suffered an injury when he went down to collect and caught a boot as well as the ball. He recovered, and just as well because he was called upon to face a penalty for handball. He guessed the right way and saved comfortably. His clearance then started the move which lead to the goal. Seb linked up with Jack Y and Sam let fly with a firecracker of a shot which the keeper could only get his fingertips to. Joe cleared off the line to keep hold of the lead at half time.

Bewdley created even more pressure in the second period and soon hit the post. Still more corners came and the inevitable equaliser was scored after the ball bobbled around the box and was only half cleared. Gaining a point would have been a good result but this is famously “the team which never draws” so another goal was predictable. Unfortunately it was the Comrades who scored it, a neat peace of skill to beat the defender and shoot in to the corner. Ollie had a chance to score in the final seconds but the ball fell on his wrong foot with just the keeper to beat and the defence mangled to scramble back. Bewdley had to work hard for this win, Ferndale soaked up huge amounts of pressure and on another day might have earned a point.

9/4/08 Ferndale Flyers 1 Mostyn Rangers 3

The boys were hoping for a turnaround in their league fortunes against an out of form Mostyn side who had only gained two points from their last six games. The novelty of an evening kick-off soon wore off as Ferndale were under the cosh from the start.

They were slow to get going and when the Rangers attacked, they often had at least one man over. The away side spent more time on the ball and won most of the challenges. The first goal was the result of a failure to clear out of defence and the cross hit a defender for an own goal. Mostyn could have had a lot more if their shooting had been sharper but Will was able to keep everything out. The boys then started to find their stride, Jack L winning ball and Sam and Kyle beginning to link up. Before that could come to fruition they were hit with a second goal, the result of the fluent passing that we were failing to do.

They settled down in the second half and the passing improved. The defence still had a lot to do and Joe was in the thick of the action. But Ferndale scored the best goal of the game, Cameron launched a through ball, Sam picked it up just over the half way line in front of the last two defenders, ran straight for goal and put it perfectly past the keeper. The was enough time left to hope for an equaliser but Mostyn finished stronger and added a third, again through superior passing.

The boys have worked hard at passing in training but somehow couldn’t put it together in this game. We know they can do it and they still have three matches left to try to put it into action.

12/4/08 Ferndale Flyers 0 Warndon Piranhas 0

This performance was a world away from the one three nights ago. The “we never draw” specialists have finally broken their duck, this being their first tied game in league competition. They looked like a completely different team, passing and moving, battling for the ball, defending with spirit and creating chances. We know they can do it and it was great to see.

Jack Y was the first to show that this team meant business, through on goal but he shot straight at the keeper. Ollie had a chance go just over and then Cameron had a blistering shot against the bar. The Piranhas’ best chance was a ball into the box which hit a forward on the back – he didn’t know where it had gone, another player looked certain to score but Will got across acrobatically to punch the ball away. There was more great defending to go in all square at the break.

Ferndale were the better team in the second half. Everything Sam touched turned to gold and he had the best chance of the half go over the bar. Ollie was having a great day on the left, crossing accurately and he had a shot at the keeper and a well taken free kick too. Joe was fantastic in defence, not only tackling but linking with midfield as well. Will kept the team in the game once more, he had to come right out of his box to tackle the forward running towards him. A draw was a creditable result against a team who had won three out of their last four games but the vast improvement in performance was the most pleasing aspect of today’s game.

19/4/08 Nunnery Falcons 3 Ferndale Flyers 0

This was a much better display than the final score implies. They were largely the equal of the team who have been league leaders for much of the season and only faded in the final five minutes.

In a strong wind and on an uneven pitch, ball control was difficult for both teams and the play was a bit scrappy, not helped by a referee who was keen to give free kicks to both sides. Nunnery had the best effort of the half, a stinging free kick which Will tipped onto the bar. Ollie broke free down the right and crossed to Jack Y who couldn’t quite get the shot away. Jack L worked hard in defence and Kyle ran the midfield. The Falcons had the better of the game towards the break, one ball into the box which they couldn’t control and another free kick, this time off the post.

Sam took over in goal for the second half and picked up every shot. Charlie began to make forays into the opponent’s box and Cameron had a great header go over the bar from Ollie’s corner. Just when it seemed that another goalless draw was in sight the game completely changed in favour of the home side. Their opener came from a move down the right; Ferndale nearly equalised from a corner which everyone missed. Two goals in the last two minutes finished things off, the first hit just inside the post and the second from a passing move on the left this time.

The result was harsh on a team which had worked hard and deserved more for their labours. There is only one game left in the season and the boys will be looking for better value from their efforts on Monday night to stay clear of relegation.

21/4/08 Kidderminster Lions 0 Ferndale Flyers 2 (at Mostyn)

Great to finish the season with a win, especially as the team have not had a victory for five matches. This was the best display of passing this season, time on the training ground has paid off and was rewarded with two goals.

Ferndale had the best of the opening exchanges and looked confident on the ball. The passing was accurate and flowing and the team were creating opportunities. All of the lads were involved but Kyle and Sam stood out. Ollie’s corners were proving hard for the defence to get away and the mounting pressure finally gave way with two goals before the break. Ollie’s corner on the right swerved viciously to sneak in at the front post without another player having to touch it. If that wasn’t spectacular enough, two minutes later Seb laid off a ball to improve the angle and he unleashed another powerful shot from the edge of the area to double his tally.

Jack L was introduced after half time and showed great skill on the right of midfield and although the pace slowed a little the Flyers were superior in every department and never seriously looked like conceding. The win cemented their seventh position in the league where they have been since before Christmas. The league title is still not decided, Coombs Wood have to gain seven points from their four games in hand to overhaul the leaders, Nunnery Falcons.

Finally a big thank you on behalf of all the boys and their parents to Martin and Darren for their management this season. Though the team have had their ups and downs, we have seen some great football, witnessed some spectacular goals and had a decent cup run. Their league position does not really reflect the quality of their play and they enter the summer tournaments hoping to keep improving and gain more success next season. Well done lads.