Lions Pride 5 YMCA 8

Cold bitter night would have been marvellous to be indoors!

YMCA introduced new player Jordan, which makes life difficult when team has a set way of playing and new player is not integrated into their tactics.  Immediate effect was not noticeable as YMCA opened a 3 goal lead, destroyed by half time as Lions’ fought back to level.  Several times YMCA have opened a lead only to lose out, would this happen again?  Quickly after the second half restart a two goal lead was re-opened, and for the first time this league YMCA took a set back and went on to win. 

Will not mention player name that gets 2011 ‘open goal – miss of season.’

Final score 8-5.

Red Dragons 2 Elite 4

Tight game, Red Dragon’s never giving the opposition an easy game, they defend to the last and score well engineered goals.  Both teams went into game having scored almost same number of goals, Elite, on a late burst of form have conceded more over season; therein lay the difference in league placing.  Elite continued recent form into this game and always had the edge over Dragon’s.  The score reflecting balance of game.

Last league Elite was Champions, no disgrace in missing out 2011 as top teams have strengthened and new teams have surprised.

Little Devils 8 Futsal Tigers 4

Little Devils was on their game against a very strong Tigers.  Four goals ahead at break, Devil’s nearly hit a bad patch, but came through it stronger for the experience.  Should players this age know how to close out a game when they are four goals up?  Is attack the best form of defence? 

 Start the debate. 

For the anoraks:

Panthers & Discoveries never had a drawn game.

Elite & Dynamite drew most games.

Top scorers, Panthers, Tigers & Fusion.

Low scorers, Discoveries, YMCA & Dynamite.

Best defence Panthers, Little Devil’s (could change with 3 to play), Red Dragon’s, Fusion.

Most conceded Discoveries, Lions Pride, and Dynamite.

Best goal difference, Panthers, Fusion, Tigers, and Little Devils with 3 to play could break into group, they are 9 behind Tigers.

FC United 13 Crow’s Nest Reds 3

FC United stamped mark on game from off, fast one and two touch, futsal more than opponents could handle.  Crow’s would be advised to watch Barcelona play, they expect team to win ball back within four seconds of losing ball.  This means every player becoming a defender immediately ball is lost.  There are Crow’s players that only come alive when they sense a goal; defence is somebody else’s job.  Am I being harsh or have identified why so many goals conceded?

Crowland Athletic 6 Crow’s Nest Blue 3

Andy Burrow’s must be making progress, the game kicked off with me actually expecting them to win.  Credit to them, they passed the ball well, took their chances and when the defence was breached their keeper was capable of stopping shots that looked unstoppable.

Discoveries Titans 6 GSC 0

Don’t read too much into the score, this was best game of the night.  GSC last week became school year 7/8 Champions so challenging year 8/9 players is a big challenge, particularly when the team is undefeated Titans.  A huge ‘ask.’

GSC defended professionally, created chances, and in several areas matched Titan’s, the problem gets impossible when the opposition are just that little bit faster, stronger because of the age factor.  Give GSC another year growth and experience and we might be seeing the new Titans.  Not something I thought possible before this match, high praise.

LEAGUE IS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 8/9 PLAYERS - 1 TEAM SPACE AVAILABLE

Newton Heath 13 Grimsby Soccer Club 11

Strange match, almost every attack ending with a goal. GSC goals for and against is a regular feature but not so Newton Heath, can anyone remember them conceding double figures?

In a game that looks, from the sore, like two teams that have little idea how to play, this was not the case.  Interspersed with the goals was some brilliant attacking play matched by great defence.

AFC Trawlermen 4 Blaine 9

Trawlermen are a mystery, results just aren’t going their way, and something is not clicking, but what?  My thoughts for what they are worth are that the team passes to often.  Possession for possession’s sake can be negative.  There are times when players need to carry the ball into space and other times when the ball should be passed into space.  It needs mixing up.

Blaine, the surprise team of the league, shows no signs of giving up the chase on Newton Heath.

EDF Cottam 6 Grimsby Saxons 7

This Saxon’s win has been coming for some weeks, EDF just happened to be the fall guys.  Most of the game EDF was ahead, but the warning sign’s was there.  Saxon’s ‘Grafton’ had missed four first halve gilt edged chances; before two second half goals part made up, unfortunately interspersed with a bad back pass that cost his team a goal.

With the game closing out EDF lead 6-5, a late equaliser stunned EDF, who chased the game in the little time left.  As so often happens the team chasing is hit on the counter, Saxon’s scoring the winner off the counter attack.  Saxon’s pushes over scores look like a thing of the past.

Scartholonia 3 GRS All Stars 2

Game of the night, keepers Gave’ Broughton and Steve Goodwin on top of their game, fronted by players that know how to organise a defence.  Scartholonia are unrecognisable in defence from twelve months ago, same players, but different class defence.  GRS never play badly; they just don’t get results most of the teams play deserves.  Scartholonia was 2-0 after ten minutes; GRS clawed their way back to 2-2. Bizarrely Scartho managed to score an own goal from their own corner, a strong wind and badly hit pass to SG on half way line did damage.  Most of the second half Scartholonia was defending a draw as GRS forced them onto the back foot, in a late counter from the respite Steve Goodwin caught a corner, threw the ball to himself, broke to the halfway lane and set up ‘Nathan’ who rounded Gave’ brought on.  Superb winner.

YMCA 8 Willow's Valiant 11

YMCA, without win, rattled Valiant by taking a first minute and then continuing to match them throughout match.  Playing as they did YMCA’s first win is not far off.  Individual skill is gelling.  The difference between the sides was Lee Chisnall, his conversation from chances made ratio is in a class of its own.

A great game marred by tetchiness by one individual that referees ‘don’t give honest decisions, or simply decisions made that don’t agree with his.’ Decisions that are often made in fractions of seconds.  Players’ needs to take into account their mistakes are made when they are warm and into the pace of the game, outdoor referees can be fighting the cold when they make theirs.

El Dogo’s 9 Shamrock 4

Shamrock need settled tactics and strategy solved before they get onto the court.  El Dogo’s by comparison was thinking two passes ahead throughout game.  El Dogo’s finishing from situations in and around the goal area was exemplary.  Goal after goal passed in behind Sham’s goal keeper who had been lured to his near post. 

Shamrock was much improved after the break when Mark Courtly took defensive responsibility.

Futsal Panthers

Year 7/8 Winners 2011

Lions Pride

Fusion 9-4 GSC Dynamite

Fusion, in their eleven side format S C Apollo. had a comfortable 1-0 win on Sunday, Dynamite by comparison left every ounce of energy on the pitch in a hard fought Sunday showdown with stable mates GSC Colts. Did it affect futsal result? Probably not, what affected most teams was an all day schools five aside tournament that meant many players had played all afternoon before their evening game.  Contrary to what we read in the papers these lads’ are super fit.  Back to the game, Fusion on their game are a test for any team, Dynamite met Fusion on the wrong day.

Elite 6-6 Lions Pride

What a stupendous advert for futsal.  Elite started off brilliantly, every player passing and moving with Lion’s Pride matching them on the counter attack, every ball played by every player was intelligently made.  Then just before break Elite opened up a 2-0 goal lead.

Half time was fascinating listening to Lions’ players having strong opinions to add to Stu Orr’s half time team talk.  They were not prepared to let Elite run away with game, they wanted to get back at them, lift their game.

The worst happened, minutes gone and Elite added two more.  Game over, it had to be.  Then the fight back, unbelievable, 0-4 to 4-4 and more drama to follow.  Elite retrieved the lead, Lions’ replied, Elite scored with John Mawer looking at his watch, Lion’s had one last chance, mid half the ball was hanging in the year, Elite defenders in the box, the ball was perfectly struck with power and precision – GOOOAL!  6-6. Every player played brilliantly, teams and players are now exceeding what parents and coaches might have expected from twelve months ago.

Futsal Panthers 4-1 Little Devils

Panthers’ needed a win to take the title with one game in hand.  Panthers are proving themselves up to the challenge in year 9/10 league, so physically they had no fears of year younger Devil’s players.  Little Devils’ will compete with the best and so it proved.  Panthers was never fully tested because Devil’s snatched at or missed to many chances, when they did get shots’ off ‘Aiden’ in Panther’s goal saves shots that would beat most other keepers.  Jack Boswell was exceptional for Little Devil’s.

Futsal Panthers 3-4 Red Dragons

Panthers’ accepted to play back to back games this week; fortunately they won title on previous result.  Dragon’s was always a goal behind until the final minutes when first they equalised and then spoiled Panthers party with a dramatic late winner.  A feature of this Dragon’s performance was the absence of long ball play; they looked so much the better for it.  The players are all skilled with a ball; it’s hard to be skilled when the ball’s in the air.  The best I can recall Dragon’s playing this league.

Quietly behind the top two there has been a season long battle for third place, Fusion win means they have just nicked third spot from Dragon’s.

Crow’s Nest Red 2 Grimsby Soccer Club 6

GSC had the younger, but vastly more experienced futsal players.  The experience saw them through.  After a shaky start GSC grew in confidence, after an opening goal they visibly relaxed.  Great attacking play shredded the Crow’s defence four times before half time.  Crow’s improved after the break, the second half being edged territorially by Crow’s.  ‘Aussie’ built everything from back for GSC.

Crow’s Nest Blue 0 Humberstone 6

Crow’s chances could be counted on one hand, such was Humberstone dominance.  The fact that the score was kept to six was down to superb goal keeping by Own Winters, three saves being exceptional, and an inspirational performance from Harry Smith  Harry chased harried and disrupted Humberstone play brilliantly.  Harry out tackled every other player by some distance, some performance, Harry might have lost the match, but can walk away knowing he had been equal of his opponents.

Grimsby Tigers’ 2 Toll Bar 14

Newcomers Tigers was always going to struggle against Toll Bar.  Defending with only two players was suicidal; second half they addressed that problem – reducing Toll Bar to scoring five and conceding one.  Tigers played first half as Tiger cubs, second half they started to growl. The fact they scored 2 goals was a bonus.

Futsal Law:

The ball can go back to the GK from a kick in (your opponents have touched the ball to give you the kick in; therefore it can go back to GK).

Just remember the eleven aside rule to the back pass rule applies in futsal.  Do not pick it up!

Wednesday League

Grimsby Soccer Club 8 Blaine 16

Bizarre, bizarre.  Soccer Club was brilliant first half, they blew Blaine off the court, scoring 6 and conceding two.

What happened at the break is unknown, one can deduce that Blaine had a straight talking five minutes and GSC had a complacent tea break, there is no downhill slope at Second Avenue nor was there a 45 mile per hour gale that would explain the team transformations second half.

Blaine came out and had reduced the deficit within five minutes, after that GSC did know whether to attack or defend, they did neither.

GRS 7 Grimsby Saxons 2

Saxon’s are vastly improved, they was even with GRS first half, a close gaol down at break.  Second half they was GRS’s equals in midfield, all the gaols, bar one , they conceded was top class, well engineered goals that you can’t kick yourself in the teeth over.  Conversely Saxons snatched at their chances.  Dave Green was exceptional for Saxon’s.

Scartholonia 7 Newton Heath 5

Not the best of games for Newton who was undefeated until today.  Since the new kit team cohesion has slipped.  Tacking harder and blaming the referee will not remedy the problem, it’s a football problem.  Scartho used the width of the court, defended as a unit and counter attacked with pace and precision.  4-1 at half time Newton closed gap to two goals but with no time on clock to get closer.

Three yellow cards, one Newton spectator as to leave venue, not a great advert for the game.

 Tuesday League.

 No match reports received, but can surmise from results.

GRS 4 El Dogo’s 2

Shock result, in a week when several lower half of table teams have secured great results.  El Dogo’s can score goals, so to keep them to two is commendable.

Shamrock 8 YMCA 3

Shamrock win will have given team a boost as they wait on big players returning from injury.

Franklin College 2 Clee Wanderers 2

Another tight score indicates game is being played right way, emphasis on defence.  Franklin in hot one week and cold the next form, Clee just battle on through an injury crisis that would have stopped some teams playing.

Elsewhere:

As mentioned referee Dan Mawer is making great strides within University football/futsal.  Some of the Uni' games he said have been top class, particularly the ladies, with players from ladies FA Premier League involved.

SCHOOL YEAR 7/8 LEAGUE

Futsal Tigers 4-4 YMCA

YMCA played some scintillating first half futsal, pulling second placed Futsal Tigers all over the court with some superb counter attacking futsal.  At half time they lead 3-1, a goal keeping error giving Tigers a lifeline.  Second half Tigers changed their game plan, the ball going long, not pretty but proved effective in what was desperate situation.  YMCA kept to their short passing principles.  As can happen at all levels, when a team not used to winning concedes doubts flood into the head.  Can we hold out?  How long to go?  Never ‘well they still need to score three to win.’  With the score 4-2 and a win needed to close gap on Panthers at top, Tigers threw everything at YMCA, and with some success, 4-3, 4-4, would YMCA be denied even a point?  With seconds left YMCA attacked two on one to the Tigers goal, a great defensive interception saved the day. 

Special mention Jack Goodhand (YMCA) goal keeper in only his third match in goal. One save, after a player had dribbled round him, had to be seen to be believed.  10/10

Lions Pride 6-5 GSC Dynamite

Great result by Lions against a Dynamite side that had a great 11v11 win on Sunday. A league is in good health win lower teams (Lions Pride & YMCA). are taking points of higher placed sides

Little Devils 6-1 Red Dragons

Elite 9-4 Fusion Colts

GSC 4 FC United 8

Grimsby Soccer Club Panthers stepped in for HAFC who clearly are not going to be able to complete their fixtures.  Panthers are second top of the age group below.  Panthers took early pressure but replied with the game’s opening goal.  Panthers have played more futsal games than United, but all out doors on the astro surface at Novartis.  Indoor on a tile surface is a whole new challenge.  The game is faster and breathing is different. 

Both teams can take great credit from the style and pass of the game, every pass had intent, defences had to work to repel incisive counter attacks.  The number of heroic saves both keepers made tells its own story.

GSC manager said ‘his team had greatly benefited from the experience, and was there a space in the league?’

Crowland Futsal (Grimsby Tigers) 2 Crow’s Nest Blue 11

Battle of the newcomer’s was won by Crow’s after a keenly fought first half Crow’s dominated second period.  Both teams unrecognisable from just a few weeks ago, passing and tactical awareness improving game by game.

Discoveries Titans 22 Crowland Athletic 1

Crowland new this game would be a measure of progress made, was the last two games won been a flash in the pan? 

The score and the league table tells us Titan’s are an above average futsal side.  Crowland played too open, that said if you are going to lose, have a go.  Crowland scored, had two contentious shouts that the ball had crossed line for goals disallowed, and I recorded many shots on target, some required phenomenal saves to deny.  Definite progress.

 NB:

One blue top left, smells cheap after shave!

Have washed.