Maximum Points for Highbury U-10’s A-Team
Highbury U-10’s A-Team played on a glorious Sunday morning at home against their ‘boggie team’ Trowbridge Wanderers ‘A’ and were looking to avenge the defeat inflicted upon them in February, which put a big dent in there chance on a first league title, but has also seen them unbeaten since that game.
The game started with both teams cancelling themselves out and it was Trowbridge who forced a great save from the stand in goal keeper Lyndon Parmley. A save that no doubt got his confidence up. Both sides defence were in a stubborn mood and on form. Highbury forced a corner and tactically Adam Clark was brought up from defence, with Chay Andrews dropping back from midfield as cover. A tactic that has been introduced over the past couple of games and got it’s reward. The ball was floated in to the box and is was Adam Clark got onto it at the back post to give Highbury the lead. 1-0.
Trowbridge tried to get themselves back into the game but found Harry Gurri-Fear, Adam Clark and Thomas McFerran in no mood whatsoever to surrender their lead.
The Highbury defence were doing the simple things by winning the ball and releasing it early up to the midfield, who were no doubt ‘up for this game’. Luke Woods and Chay Andrews ran at and rattled the Trowbridge midfield and defence, whilst Louis Cole never looked in any danger all day with his sublime skill and distribution of the ball.
Joe Hardy’s header towards goal had the away defence in a cluster and they somehow just managed to frantically clear the ball away on the line to stop themselves falling further behind. Liam Gibbons never gave the away defence a minute to settle on the ball and was unlucky to see his shot go just over the crossbar. Half time was looming and Trowbridge looked certain to score was it not for Adam Clark’s last ditch tackle to block the shot and make sure that his team would still have the lead at half time.
The second half got underway and the away team found the Highbury boy’s working hard for each other all over the pitch. Liam Gibbons nearly scored with a cheeky back heel as the ball went just wide of the post. Harry Guerri-Fear found himself forward and saw his shot saved by the away keeper. Luke Woods was through on goal with only the goalie to beat and should have scored only to see his fiercely hit shot go over the bar. Joe Hardy’s strike at goal was well saved by the away keeper. Highbury continued to hammer the Trowbridge defence and deservingly got the 2nd goal that they so deserved when Louis Cole picked up the ball out side the box and smashed the ball into the back of the Trowbridge net – Leaving their goal keeper fixed to his spot and with no chance of getting close to the ball.
Joe Hardy played a blinder and demonstrated how to defend from the front. He never gave the away defence time to settle on the ball and forced them into making errors. He was rewarded for his efforts when Trowbridge were caught on the break. Luke Woods played the ball to him and he showed great composure on the ball and neatly slotted it in the back of the net to make the score line 3-0.
Overall this was a fantastic performance from a good Highbury team and it will give them confidence going into their Cup Final match next month, should they play like this for the remaining couple of league games and hopefully finishing 2nd in the league – However, mathematically 1st is still achievable should other results go their way.
On a hot spring morning and an early kick off – The Highbury Lads played brilliantly throughout and rewarded their Management and parents with a display of how children’s football should be played – Not forgetting that their performances over the last two games, easily matched the performances of any game shown on TV this weekend. Writes Kev Clark.
Team: Liam Gibbons, Adam Clark, Chay Andrews, Harry Guerri-Fear, Luke Woods, Louis Cole, Lyndon Parmley, Thomas McFerran, Joe Hardy.