Archie wasn't playing today.
Conrad advised that the 1st half was fantastic but the 2nd half wasn't.
Lewis P scored Evergreen Juniors' only goal today.
The next game is on 7th April (mid-week) vs London Maccabi Lions. Archie won't be able for selection for this game either.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Monday, 22 March 2010
League: Tornado JSC Black 1-5 Evergreen Juniors (21st Mar 2010)
Today was a perfect day for football. Perfect conditions.
Archie and the boys went to Tornado JSC knowing that a win would take them off of the bottom of the table. Before the game started I told Archie that I was expecting a good game from him, and for him to play as part of a team. Conrad had already had words with the team on Saturday afternoon about them arguing amongst themselves and how if they all put the same effort in, the rewards will come. Well, today was a fine example... with only one or two little hic-ups along the way.
Myself and Grand-Glyn were there as always along with Dena and Charlie, taking advantage of the nice weather.
Archie started and finished the game in Left midfield.
The game started at a very quick pace. Both teams battling for the ball, but I would say that Evergreen were the stronger team. Archie, Lewis P and Harry F had a few chances and for some reason all were resorting to long range efforts, most straying wide and some forcing saves from the opposition goal keeper. The long range shots stopped and normal play resumed. Archie and Lewis P looked exceptionally threatening, always charging forward and very good link up play. No doubt they were able to get forward more thanks to the cover they received from Lewis C & Harry C in defence and also Harry F (who also broke forward) & Adam in midfield. The boys finally broke the deadlock with not much of the 1st half left to play. The ball broke for Lewis P to run on to and he managed to hit it hard and low into the bottom left corner. The keeper had no chance. We resisted a few attacks from the home team and Anthony made some fantastic saves in goal. Half time came and we went in 0-1 up.
The second half started at a similar rate of speed, with JSC making some breaks for goal. The game also started to get a little heated, free-kicks were awarded to both teams. One of the hic-ups that I mentioned earlier then happened. Archie clearly barged a JSC player off the ball and a free-kick was awarded. Harry F decided to argue to decision. Conrad wasn't having any of it and pulled him off the field. With only 7 players available, it meant that the boys were playing 6 against 7. It was Conrad's intention to keep Harry F off for 2 minutes to allow him to calm down, but after the time was up, he refused to go back on. While this was happening, JSC put the pressure on for 5mins then went in for the kill and levelled up the scores to make it 1-1. Centre was taken and within a minute or so, some more good link up play enabled Lewis P to respond with a great goal. 1-2. After some encouraging (and strong words) from Harry F's Mum, he took to the field again. From there on, the game turned into a bit of a goal fest. Archie bagged himself a goal after he was provided with a cross from Lewis P. 1-3. He was unlucky not to get a second on 2 occasions, hitting the post with 1 attempt and slotting the ball wide after nicely chipping over the keeper. Then, returning the favour again Archie played Lewis in for his hatrick. 1-4. Harry F also got in on the act and made it 1-5.
A very good game today and with that win it meant that Evergreen were lifted from the bottom of the table. Not only that, but with Comets Cougars losing to Chorleywood Tigers, we jumped 2 places higher to 3rd from bottom... or as I like to say; 6th.
Archie is unfortunately not available for selection for the next game at the weekend and it looks as though a league game will have to be played on a week day during the Easter holidays which will also mean that he won't be able to play that game either. He is looking forward to the thought of facing Herons in an 11-a-side friendly game which hopefully will happen on 10th April. Also, he looking forward to the Challenge cup quarter final game that will follow on the 11th April.
Archie and the boys went to Tornado JSC knowing that a win would take them off of the bottom of the table. Before the game started I told Archie that I was expecting a good game from him, and for him to play as part of a team. Conrad had already had words with the team on Saturday afternoon about them arguing amongst themselves and how if they all put the same effort in, the rewards will come. Well, today was a fine example... with only one or two little hic-ups along the way.
Myself and Grand-Glyn were there as always along with Dena and Charlie, taking advantage of the nice weather.
Archie started and finished the game in Left midfield.
The game started at a very quick pace. Both teams battling for the ball, but I would say that Evergreen were the stronger team. Archie, Lewis P and Harry F had a few chances and for some reason all were resorting to long range efforts, most straying wide and some forcing saves from the opposition goal keeper. The long range shots stopped and normal play resumed. Archie and Lewis P looked exceptionally threatening, always charging forward and very good link up play. No doubt they were able to get forward more thanks to the cover they received from Lewis C & Harry C in defence and also Harry F (who also broke forward) & Adam in midfield. The boys finally broke the deadlock with not much of the 1st half left to play. The ball broke for Lewis P to run on to and he managed to hit it hard and low into the bottom left corner. The keeper had no chance. We resisted a few attacks from the home team and Anthony made some fantastic saves in goal. Half time came and we went in 0-1 up.
The second half started at a similar rate of speed, with JSC making some breaks for goal. The game also started to get a little heated, free-kicks were awarded to both teams. One of the hic-ups that I mentioned earlier then happened. Archie clearly barged a JSC player off the ball and a free-kick was awarded. Harry F decided to argue to decision. Conrad wasn't having any of it and pulled him off the field. With only 7 players available, it meant that the boys were playing 6 against 7. It was Conrad's intention to keep Harry F off for 2 minutes to allow him to calm down, but after the time was up, he refused to go back on. While this was happening, JSC put the pressure on for 5mins then went in for the kill and levelled up the scores to make it 1-1. Centre was taken and within a minute or so, some more good link up play enabled Lewis P to respond with a great goal. 1-2. After some encouraging (and strong words) from Harry F's Mum, he took to the field again. From there on, the game turned into a bit of a goal fest. Archie bagged himself a goal after he was provided with a cross from Lewis P. 1-3. He was unlucky not to get a second on 2 occasions, hitting the post with 1 attempt and slotting the ball wide after nicely chipping over the keeper. Then, returning the favour again Archie played Lewis in for his hatrick. 1-4. Harry F also got in on the act and made it 1-5.
A very good game today and with that win it meant that Evergreen were lifted from the bottom of the table. Not only that, but with Comets Cougars losing to Chorleywood Tigers, we jumped 2 places higher to 3rd from bottom... or as I like to say; 6th.
Archie is unfortunately not available for selection for the next game at the weekend and it looks as though a league game will have to be played on a week day during the Easter holidays which will also mean that he won't be able to play that game either. He is looking forward to the thought of facing Herons in an 11-a-side friendly game which hopefully will happen on 10th April. Also, he looking forward to the Challenge cup quarter final game that will follow on the 11th April.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Archie's first taste of 11-a-side football and today's game
Yesterday, Archie played in his first 11-a-side game. It wasn't a full match, just a 30min game, one of many practice games coming up to prepare for next season. Archie played in left midfield and up-front alongside Lewis P.
Having to contend with a bigger pitch and the offside rule, you could see all the boys were finding it difficult keeping their positions, but with practice they will get better. Archie impressed me with his constant glancing across the defensive line to check if he was offside or not... more often than not he was but he always made up for it!
Today, Archie and Evergreen Juniors face an away league match versus Tornado JSC. This is the team that walked off the field and refused to play because the manager didn't like the tackles. JSC are 2 places above Evergreen in the league but we have 2 games in hand on them. The last time Archie played at JSC's pitch he scored just the 1 goal, but only played half of the match.
The weather looks nice today, rained a little last night so the pitch should be in perfect condition. Looking forward to it. A win today will ensure that Evergreen will no longer be bottom of the league. Let's hope I haven't jinxed us!
Having to contend with a bigger pitch and the offside rule, you could see all the boys were finding it difficult keeping their positions, but with practice they will get better. Archie impressed me with his constant glancing across the defensive line to check if he was offside or not... more often than not he was but he always made up for it!
Today, Archie and Evergreen Juniors face an away league match versus Tornado JSC. This is the team that walked off the field and refused to play because the manager didn't like the tackles. JSC are 2 places above Evergreen in the league but we have 2 games in hand on them. The last time Archie played at JSC's pitch he scored just the 1 goal, but only played half of the match.
The weather looks nice today, rained a little last night so the pitch should be in perfect condition. Looking forward to it. A win today will ensure that Evergreen will no longer be bottom of the league. Let's hope I haven't jinxed us!
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
League Intermediate Cup, Quarter-final: Evergreen Juniors 5-1 Harpenden Colts Buccaneers (7th Mar 2010)
Today Archie and Evergreen Juniors faced a team from the league below, Harpenden Colts Buccaneers. The fact that they are in the league below didn't automatically mean that it would be easy pickings and making that point to the boys was very important. The weather was much the same as yesterday but was a bit colder.
Conrad and Mark must have got the "don't think it'll be easy" point across quite well because the boys came out with all guns blazing and played some fantastic football throughout. Evergreen took the lead early on. The move came from the right wing, Lewis P starting where he left off yesterday put in a lovely cross which was beautifully guided in off the head of Archie!! His first ever headed goal and very Rooney-esq! 1-0. From there-on-in the boys seemed to reek havoc on the opposition's defence. Archie almost scored a 2nd with a well executed bicycle kick, again from a Lewis P cross, but the keeper dealt with it. The second goal came soon after and what a fantastic goal it was. A lot of passing down field and a cross which Adam meet with absolute perfection. Blam! 2-0. Lewis P scored his 1st of the game, our 3rd. He also hit the post a little while after. Harpenden were glad to hear the whistle for half time.
The boys were told that nothing had been decided yet during the half time team talk and to carry on with the pressure.
Within almost a minute of the 2nd half, Lewis P made it 4-0 with a well taken goal. Harpenden started giving something back and forced a couple of saves from Anthony and called the defence into action. They finally got a goal back. It was another sloppy goal to concede but a comeback was never really on the cards as the boys had done the damage early on. 4-1. Harry F won a free kick and scored direct from the set-piece to make it 5-1. The refs whistle went of not long after, handshakes all round and a Semi-final looming.
A good weekend's football for Archie and his team mates but we were all still left wandering where it went wrong in the league. Silverware is very much a possibility this season though.
The draw for the semi-finals of the Intermediate league cup is as follows:
Chorleywood Pumas vs Evergreen Juniors
Watford Town Youth Red vs Herons
As you can see, Archie's old team Herons are still in the competition. We need to get through the Semi's first but the prospect of Archie's first ever final is mouth watering... let alone a final against his old team! Evergreen Juniors got to this point last season but failed to get to the final.
Bring on the Semi-final and good luck to Herons. Myself and Archie will be gunning for them to get through too.
Conrad and Mark must have got the "don't think it'll be easy" point across quite well because the boys came out with all guns blazing and played some fantastic football throughout. Evergreen took the lead early on. The move came from the right wing, Lewis P starting where he left off yesterday put in a lovely cross which was beautifully guided in off the head of Archie!! His first ever headed goal and very Rooney-esq! 1-0. From there-on-in the boys seemed to reek havoc on the opposition's defence. Archie almost scored a 2nd with a well executed bicycle kick, again from a Lewis P cross, but the keeper dealt with it. The second goal came soon after and what a fantastic goal it was. A lot of passing down field and a cross which Adam meet with absolute perfection. Blam! 2-0. Lewis P scored his 1st of the game, our 3rd. He also hit the post a little while after. Harpenden were glad to hear the whistle for half time.
The boys were told that nothing had been decided yet during the half time team talk and to carry on with the pressure.
Within almost a minute of the 2nd half, Lewis P made it 4-0 with a well taken goal. Harpenden started giving something back and forced a couple of saves from Anthony and called the defence into action. They finally got a goal back. It was another sloppy goal to concede but a comeback was never really on the cards as the boys had done the damage early on. 4-1. Harry F won a free kick and scored direct from the set-piece to make it 5-1. The refs whistle went of not long after, handshakes all round and a Semi-final looming.
A good weekend's football for Archie and his team mates but we were all still left wandering where it went wrong in the league. Silverware is very much a possibility this season though.
The draw for the semi-finals of the Intermediate league cup is as follows:
Chorleywood Pumas vs Evergreen Juniors
Watford Town Youth Red vs Herons
As you can see, Archie's old team Herons are still in the competition. We need to get through the Semi's first but the prospect of Archie's first ever final is mouth watering... let alone a final against his old team! Evergreen Juniors got to this point last season but failed to get to the final.
Bring on the Semi-final and good luck to Herons. Myself and Archie will be gunning for them to get through too.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
WHYL Challenge Cup, 3rd round: Evergreen Juniors 2-1 Tring Tornadoes Yellow (6th March 2010)
Today was Archie’s 1st ever Saturday game and it was an important one at that. The 3rd round of the Challenge Cup and we were up against tough opposition in the form of Blue division's (2nd division, 1 div higher than Evergreen) Tring Tornadoes Yellow. This was also Archie's 1st game back after 4 weeks without football. The weather looked nice (no rain or snow), blue skies, but there was a very cold wind that caused the boys issues. Archie started the game playing at Left midfield.
We started terribly in the first half and were getting absolutely battered. More so by the wind which was freezing cold and blowing towards our goal. The opposition were passing well but they weren't a great deal better than us if the truth be told. Our boys were making some silly errors and gave away a very sloppy goal. In our goal was Anthony who made some good saves to keep us in the game and Harry C's defending was also very good. We went in at half time 0-1 down.
Conrad, Ian and Mark gave the team a stern talking to which mainly consisted of re-iterating what the parents were shouting at the team all half... "WAKE UP!". Archie and Harry F also switched positions, so Arch was playing Right midfield.
The 2nd half started brilliantly and we looked like a totally different team, as did Tring. A couple of our boys had a few shots on goal which were either saved or went wide. Lewis P had the better of his marker for the whole of the second half and became a bit embarrassing to watch. I could tell that it was only a matter of time before we would score. The equalizer came courtesy of Archie. He managed to get on the end of a Lewis P cross with a left footed half volley. 1-1. The boys had got the opposition rattled and they carried on taking advantage of the run of play. Tring picked their game up a little but not enough to cause us any issues. We took the lead a few minutes later. Lewis P making took a couple of players on and beat them, he a few options. To pass to Archie or Harry F who were both unmarked in the box, but he went for goal and made it look very easy. 2-1. The boys started having a bit fun, not being too risky, and comfortably won the game. Every single player played their part and kept the opposition quiet throughout the whole of the 2nd half. Anthony played his part in goal very well. Harry C was dominant in defence alongside Lewis C who seemed to stick to the player that he was marking. Archie, Adam and Harry F were tough & controlled the middle of the field whilst Lewis P attacked, attacked and attacked keeping the defenders in his back pocket.
Archie and Evergreen Juniors are now through to the Quarter-finals of the Challenge cup.
We started terribly in the first half and were getting absolutely battered. More so by the wind which was freezing cold and blowing towards our goal. The opposition were passing well but they weren't a great deal better than us if the truth be told. Our boys were making some silly errors and gave away a very sloppy goal. In our goal was Anthony who made some good saves to keep us in the game and Harry C's defending was also very good. We went in at half time 0-1 down.
Conrad, Ian and Mark gave the team a stern talking to which mainly consisted of re-iterating what the parents were shouting at the team all half... "WAKE UP!". Archie and Harry F also switched positions, so Arch was playing Right midfield.
The 2nd half started brilliantly and we looked like a totally different team, as did Tring. A couple of our boys had a few shots on goal which were either saved or went wide. Lewis P had the better of his marker for the whole of the second half and became a bit embarrassing to watch. I could tell that it was only a matter of time before we would score. The equalizer came courtesy of Archie. He managed to get on the end of a Lewis P cross with a left footed half volley. 1-1. The boys had got the opposition rattled and they carried on taking advantage of the run of play. Tring picked their game up a little but not enough to cause us any issues. We took the lead a few minutes later. Lewis P making took a couple of players on and beat them, he a few options. To pass to Archie or Harry F who were both unmarked in the box, but he went for goal and made it look very easy. 2-1. The boys started having a bit fun, not being too risky, and comfortably won the game. Every single player played their part and kept the opposition quiet throughout the whole of the 2nd half. Anthony played his part in goal very well. Harry C was dominant in defence alongside Lewis C who seemed to stick to the player that he was marking. Archie, Adam and Harry F were tough & controlled the middle of the field whilst Lewis P attacked, attacked and attacked keeping the defenders in his back pocket.
Archie and Evergreen Juniors are now through to the Quarter-finals of the Challenge cup.
Monday, 1 March 2010
WHYL Challenge Cup, 3rd round: Evergreen Juniors P-P Tring Tornadoes Yellow (28th Feb 2010)
Today's game was postponed due to the weather.
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