2011/2012 Colchester & District Youth U9's League Cup

FC Clacton U9's vs Stanway Villa Whites

Fresh from last weeks draw at our first away fixture, straight back into the action for the first round of the League Cup, with the advantage of being at our home ground.  With it a lot colder and wetter than last week, we thought it might be a shock for the lads, but not so!

With the whistle for kick off, the lads went straight in and started to get possession early, moving the ball well between our players and pushing forward, but Stanway did put together some great passing football, but our midfield and defenders managed to close them down nicely.  9 and a half minutes into the first half Mitchell is supplied a ball from a long goal kick (by Ryan) and lays it off nicely to Reuben who finishes it off for a 1-0 lead!

We fall back into position, and once again we run at the ball like it's the world cup final, pushing forward and pressing the opposition, who to be fair have a couple of minor chances which come to nothing.  Our goalkeeper produced a great kick out, which dropped to Reuben's feet and within seconds he shoots putting it just over the crossbar - very close!  Around 14 minutes, Mitchell fires the ball from our half into the opposition half, only to see the ball taken but then lost by Stanway.  Jake sees the ball rolling toward him, takes a great run at it and shoots from well in our half, and places the ball sweetly through the keepers hands and into the top right hand corner of the net - putting us 2-0 up! Superb effort Jake!

At the half time whistle, we stopped for drinks and the Seasiders' favourite - Oranges!!!

Off we go again and 2 minutes in, Mitchell supplies the ball from a throw to Ryan, but the ball deflects and comes back to Mitchell who fires the ball over the Stanway lads, landing the ball at Reuben's feet.  Reuben shoots and pushes the ball into the net making it 3-0! 

Stanway look like they may be a spent force, but just two minutes later they win the ball in midfield run on goal, and push the ball into our net - 3-1.  This seems to hit the FC Clacton U9's confidence and we seem to lose the flow of the match, with our opponents putting together some good play.  This pays off at 12 mins in, when Stanway win a corner, float the ball into the box, and despite the keeper pushing it away, the ball drops to the ground and is pushed into the net - making the score 3-2.

The Stanway pushback continues into the final minutes of the match, with only 2 minutes of the match left, they collect the ball from midfield, run down the left wing, cross the ball into the box, and one of their players fires the ball into the net, despite the best efforts of our keeper.  This squared it all up at 3-3!

Everyone thought that would be the end of it, and off to penalties, but in the dying minutes of the match, Ryan takes a goal kick landing in the middle of the Stanway half, delivered nicely to Harrison's feet, who lobs the ball over the heads of all the players into the top right hand corner of the goal - putting us 4-3 ahead!

Well done Harrison, that goal has been a long time coming and well deserved!

This still wasn't the end of the game, and Stanway win a throw in at the dying moments of the match, and manage to fire a shot off at the keeper, who makes a superb reflex save, putting it out for a corner.  With less than 30 seconds to go, Stanway float the ball in, but its cleared with another great save and the final whistle goes!  Phew.

Thanks to Stanway Villa Whites for travelling to Rush Green today, and for such a great and fairly played match!

Well done to the Lads of FC Clacton U9's - UNBEATEN this season!!!!

Go Seasiders!!!!!