Match Report Under 6s, Saturday, 22nd May 2010.

The Under 6s were without an opponent this weekend, as Glen Huon had to forfeit the match. In cool but brilliant sunshine the Under 6s put on an exhibition match to try out their skills and enthusiasm against each other. A three-aside match commenced with Noah, Caleb and Seraphina in “Woodbridge Blue” taking on the “Yellow Bibs” of Rory, Amber, and Ruby. John the Coach was absent this week but his team did him proud.

The match was hard run, energetic, and goal scoring was happening from all boots and all angles. There were some long attacking runs and intense on the ball action with boots flying and the occasional tumble on the muddy pitch. After ten minutes legs were starting to look weary and thoughts had turned to a drink and half time oranges.

The second half commenced with Ella joining the “Woodbridge Blues”. All players seemed to be conserving their energy and relying on penetrating passing and skillful play to make sure they would last until the end of the match. Goals again were coming thick and fast. Ruby retired injured with a splinter in her finger and Caleb readily donned a “Yellow Bib”. There followed a further ten minutes of furious end to end play with lovely attacking and defensive skills on display.

Full time saw a tired, happy, and proud group of young players giving each other plenty of cheers and a few hugs. It was a great game for the whole team and lots of enjoyment for the parents and other fans.

SM (for John the Coach)

Under 6 Match Report for 16th May

On another beautiful Saturday morning our Under 6’s prepared to take on our upper channel rivals Kingborough Lions Blue (when is a little rivalry too much). As with last week, we had enough for two teams. Ella, Noah, Rory and Ruby were in one team, with Amber, Caleb, Derek and Serafina in the other. Last week the score was 2 to 1. Could we do the same again? All of the Under 6s staff (me) were a bit concerned that only four players made it to practice. Was the team going to be underdone, was the seven day break too long?

The two coaches had exchanged pleasantries and tried to get the inside running on what to expect. The Lions had also lost by gazillions to nil against Cygnet and beaten Margate 2-1. General consensus was therefore this should be a close game. Should have been, but somebody forgot to tell Woodbridge. Noah banged in a couple of goals to show all his previous ones are not flukes. At training we had spent a little bit of time teaching how to kick the ball with the laces (preferably done with a foot still inside the boot and the laces firmly tied). Rory decided to show the coach that he had understood the lesson and slotted home a long-range goal. I told Dalles and John Owen that it was at least a forty-metre kick but they pointed out that we only play on a 30 by 20 metre pitch.

Ella and Ruby were providing good support and the teams changed. The Lions started to play a bit better and Amber, Caleb, Derek and Serafina were up for the challenge. Serafina continued where she left off last week with some tenacious defending against the Lion’s playmaker (William). Caleb made two great runs for goal and was close to scoring both times. Derek and Amber provided good support. After that good tussle, the half-time score was 3-0.

The Lions had started with four players but had a refusal at the start of the second half. They asked if we could spare a player. Caleb and Derek very sportingly agreed to change shirts and then it was suggested that we play five a side (leaving Woodbridge with one sub). Derek and Caleb definitely provided something for the Lions and it was close for a couple of minutes. Then Noah decided a break from the pack and a couple of goals were in order to relieve the pressure. Derek was having none of that and slotted in a long-range kick to give the Lions their first score of the day.

Serafina had been playing really well in a defensive role and decided to fly the flag for the feminist cause with a solo run down the right wing, a quick inside pass to herself and finished off beautifully to score the first goal for the cause, and it was her birthday so she had provided herself with a present. Noah had been cooling his heels on the sideline (aka subbing) when Rory complained of leg soreness (it was that raking 60 metre kick that did it). The coach decided that it was time for the girls on the team to show what they can do and that is how the last 3-4 minutes were played, our four girls against five opposition players. They played really good defensive football with Amber, Ella and Ruby relishing the responsibility of keeping Woodbridge’s dream alive.

It was a really pleasing game to watch and to see how much the players have improved. At the end of the game, everybody finished off with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” for Serafina. Next week we will have an intra-club game because the scheduled team has forfeited. I won’t be there unfortunately because I have a prior commitment. I will arrange for somebody to coach/ref on Saturday.
Go the Whalers
John the coach

Game Report 8 May; Under 6

On another beautiful Saturday morning our Under 6’s prepared to take on our channel rivals Margate (it is our first year so we need to generate a bit of friendly rivalry). Once again we had enough for two teams. Ella, Noah, Rory and Ruby were in one team, with Amber, Caleb, Derek and Serafina in the other. Last week the score was gazillions to 1 (but who is keeping count of those). The game against Cygnet was forgotten. This week it was a different team, different approach and the teams had another week of match experience. I was confident that they could take their training efforts of Thursday (notwithstanding multiple breaks for drinks and rests) on to the pitch to make Woodbridge proud. We need the Under 6s to do this because unfortunately those of us in the senior men's team haven’t managed to maintain the lofty standards we had set for the first games of our season.

The game started at a furious pace (well it must have seemed furious to our teams). It was pleasing to see Ella and Ruby continuing to improve as regards getting in to get the ball. Rory is starting to understand the game more and still seems to want to play defensively. Noah found his kicking boots again and put Woodbridge 1-0 up. The Margate supporters cheered the goal as much as ours did. Everybody also cheered the Margate goal when a cheeky little back heel caught everybody by surprise, score 1-1. After a frantic 7-8 minutes, it was time to bring on fresh legs in the form of the other team.

Once again, the pace was good and I was pleased with all of the efforts from Amber, Caleb, Derek and Serafina. Serafina and Amber are continuing to become more confident in their play, and Caleb and Derek can be tenacious around the ball. The play from both Woodbridge and Margate was entertaining to watch and neither side could score. Half time was welcome and after some oranges Woodbridge decided another goal was what was required and Noah obligingly delivered. That was how the game ended with all supporters and players seeming to enjoy themselves. Once again, thank you for your assistance with substitutes, oranges etc.
See you Saturday
John the coach

Under 6 Match Report 1st May 2010

On a beautiful Saturday morning eight excited Under 6’s prepared to take on cross town rivals Cygnet Sea Dragons. On the line were bragging rights for a few weeks, so no pressure on the team.

Once again we had enough for two teams. Derek, Ella, Noah and Ruby were in one team, with Amber, Caleb, Rory and Serafina in the other. Last week the score was gazillions to nil. This week it was gazillions to 1. Therefore, as a group we must be improving. Considering we have been playing against teams that have had at least one very determined player who scores most of the goals, I believe we have done well. It was really pleasing to see our players becoming more confident to try something a little different. Rory shouldering another player off the ball looked impressive as did a particular tackle from Amber. Both these players have developed more of a desire to get the ball. Caleb ran all day and had a few chances that I think he will take as the season goes on. Serafina did some good defence behind play and appeared as if she wants to make that position hers.

It usually takes 5-6 year olds a while to learn that you don’t have to run with the swarm to get a kick. Derek was another prepared to chase all day. It was just unfortunate that Cygnet provided us with so many opportunities to chase. Ella and Ruby are starting to be prepared to mix it with the opposition and I don’t think it will be long before they are on the scorer’s sheet. Noah found one of his goal-kicking boots from our first game and scored a goal in the second half to provide a bit of respectability.

Overall I was really pleased with the team’s enthusiasm and hope they enjoy the games as much as all the adults do (well at least as much as this one). One quick note, would you all please ensure each player has something to drink. Water is preferable. See you on Saturday.

John the coach