The rain held off today and we welcomed Rayne Youth, who play the game as it should be. The first challenge was that I completely didnt realise that my assistant wasn't here with us this week and so Richard stepped up and was Manager for they day so I could ref the game.
We made the decision again to rotate 4 players in goal, which is helping with out players total development and they stepped up brilliantly - Angus, Maksim, Rohan & William. Starting with Maksim in goal, Cullen, Josh, William and Jess, we started really positively and played a controlled game with both ball control, dribbling and passing moves. It was a joy to watch. Both teams were doing the same and its a credit to the kids that they were able to feel confident in this approach.
After a few chances for both sides, Jess popped up and followed up a rebound and slotted home. Great reqrd for Jess as she is not being phased by the physical side and holds her own against the boys consistently know. William was probbing constantly and made some fine runs, missing or having saves to deny him a couple of goals. Maksim in goal was again cultured and pulled off a great stop on the line early doors. Despite this and some great control of the ball by Cullen and defending by Josh & Cullen, Rayne got a couple of really well taken goals by their best player. Our heads didnt drop and after Angus & Rohan came on, William finished a beautiful bottom corner after a glorious run. Going in just 1 goal seperating the team was a reflection on the game.
2nd half we had Rohan go in goal and he made a couple of nice saves aswell as coming out ot meet the ball to sweep up. Really pleased for him and his progression continues. Josh made a couple of runs and was denied by a great goalkeeping save by their goalie. Josh made a crunching tackle and the ball went flying up to Maksim and we nearly got another. We had a couple of close shaves, Maksim just sending one wide with the goal gaping. They scored a couple in quick succession before Maksim made up for the earlier miss and slotted home - he was delighted. William went in goal and really pleased with Rohan's defending, shutting down a couple of efforts. Cullen and Angus were machines in the middle of the park and defending well truning into attack was the transition change that pleased me.
After some tackles/shoulder barges from Josh (straight off of FIFA18) resulted in a word from the ref ! we then saw William get one right in the face - right stinger, but he didnt let that affect him. Well done. He came out and smothered a coupld of great efforts and shows his ability both in goal and on the pitch. A right gem. Nearing the end, really pleased with a storming run and shot from Cullen looped high following the goal keeper making a save only to see it loop into the net. Just reward for a tireless worker for Vikings all year. Great game against a good team. All the parents and I really enjoyed and supported by positive parents. Well done all.
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