The following u16 reports are from the 2018/2019 season, we will be publishing more reports as we progress through the current season.
u16 - 2018/2019
U16B - Saffron Walden U16 (EH U16B) - L 1-10 - Tough day at the office
COLTS XI - 04/11/2018 VS SAFFRON WALDEN U16 (A)
TEAM: Colts XI DATE: 04/11/2018 FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 04/11/2018 HEADLINE: Tough day at the office LEAGUE: EHA U16 Championship VENUE: Saffron Walden RESULT: Saffron Walden 10 - 1 Norwich City
REPORT: This is proving to be a tough season for our relatively young U16 boys. To the 11 players that were available I thank them (and the fantastic parental support) for fighting to the bitter end and never giving up.
In terms of the game we started slowly and allowed the home team to dominate possession and territory. Whilst the opening goal was a result of some poor marking and half-hearted tackle attempts it was pleasing to see our young guns show steely resolve and improve as the game progressed. When we we kept possession through neat triangles in and out of centre midfield to both flanks we looked good but sadly we always looked vulnerable when Saffron attacked at pace and fluency. This should take nothing away from our defence who yet again put in a major effort but more to do with the high quality linking play of the opposition. 5-0 at half time was tough.
Not surprisingly we tired in the second half (with no substitutes) yet still we never gave up and when the score reached 10-0 you could forgive a few down cast heads but did we see any? No we didn’t and in a true credit to our resolve a delightful move down the right saw Robert McCall score following a half save by the keeper. 10-1 with 55 seconds left and Freddie Paterson declares “it’s a great time for a comeback!”
Saffron were hospital hosts with a very good set of players who continued to play the game properly despite their comfortable winning margin.
Robert McCall was nom8nated as our man of the match.
RESULT: L 1-10 SCORERS: Robert McCall POTM: Robert McCall
COLTS XI - 14/10/2018 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES U16 (H)
TEAM: Colts XI DATE: 14/10/2018 FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 14/10/2018 HEADLINE: Defensive masterclass EHA U16 Championship VENUE: Taverham RESULT: Norwich City 1 - 3 Harleston Magpies
REPORT: This was a real backs to the wall effort against a very strong Magpies side that created a lot of chances. City fell behind inside the first two minutes when defensive indecision allowed Emms to rifle the ball home. City were lucky not to fall further behind as they struggled to deal with the visitor’s pace on and off the ball but gradually they found their feet to create a few chances of their own.
As is so often the case when you have to almost constantly defend City’s play got deeper and deeper and the home side found it hard to sustain meaningful possession inside the opposing half. When Wiggins made it 2-0 the signs looked ominous but in true testament to their character City defended as a team brilliantly. Yes we were indebted to some outstanding saves from man of the match Luke Elwes and some fantastic tackling from our new centre defensive pairing, Alex Tomkinson and Reuben Cooke but Magpies did not have it all their own way and we so nearly made it 2-1 when a blistering move in the forward line saw Freddie Paterson go just wide following a scintillating run and cross by Rafe Lochore.
Whilst the second half saw Magpies have plenty of shots we had brilliant saves, amazing tackles and a couple of fantastic goal line interceptions (Ethan Rushton’s being particularly memorable). City nearly made it 2-1 when a thunderous short corner shot from Rafe was somehow blocked by a player who admitted he genuinely knew nothing about how he’d stopped it - that’s just the way it goes sometimes! Taylor eventually made it 3-0 but still City didn’t give up despite tired legs and a few unfamiliar positions and they finished the match on a high when Rafe score a scorcher of a goal from the inside left channel.
When we stayed calm and played neat one-twos we looked really good - thank you for commitment and never say die attitudes.
RESULT: L 1-3 SCORERS: Rafe Lochore POTM: Luke Elwes
