U11A v Westbourne Drew 0-0

This was essentially a disappointing match. The U-11s dominated to the extent that if it had been boxing rather than football it would have been stopped to save Westbourne from further punishment. Sadly, to continue the analogy, we only once came close to delivering a knock-out punch.

In the first half, we gradually became the better team but Westbourne were staunch and determined. In the second half, we were almost totally dominant, but never really looked like establishing the thought, direction or composure that might have led to a breakthrough. One clear chance was created and a Westbourne defender made a fantastic clearance off the goal-line. Indeed, the whole Westbourne team deserve enormous credit for their gutsy resistance.

Unfortunately, football is a constantly fluid game. At every moment, every player needs to be thinking and responding to the game developing around him. Some of our team were very poor in this respect and it says a great deal that in a game which we played largely in the opponent’s half, our best players were the central defenders. Will was superb again but possibly even better this week was his defensive partner, Ludo. He was our man-of-the-match. MJS