Under 8s Match Report

Match Reports – 8/Nov

After a two week break the boys were certainly ready for today’s games. Arm in arm and with a Remembrance Poppy proudly displayed on their shirts, the boys lined up to respect a minutes silence; for those who had lost their lives for us all. Well done boys; very grown up behaviour...

Ranger made a good start and with their first attack Ryan was unlucky with an effort on goal. The opponents started well too and displayed strong attacking movement. Ranger were keen to attack, maybe at time too keen, which was leaving them exposed in defence.

Ryan broke down the left and slotted a great cross for George who seemed certain to score but smashed the ball over the bar. He was disappointed but quickly put it behind himself and chased back. Seemingly everyone wanted to score and Rangers forced three successive corners. Owen pulled the trigger and hit the post with a strong effort. More corners followed, Danny had a great opportunity from the edge of the area; his superb short whistled over the bar. Ryan then found George whose shot forced a great save from the goalkeeper, Ryan followed up, then George; how did the ball not end up in the net? Then some excellent defending from Euan and a great one-on-one tackle from Joshua kept the scores level. With the last kick of the half a cross from George which came off the keeper, hit the post and then into his arms.

The second half started with great work from Danny down the right. Rangers once again were put under pressure and Joshua excellently tidied up and cleared the ball. Danny was fouled; from the resulting free kick Rangers fashioned a 4 player move which resulted in a defender handling the ball. It was a penalty to Rangers. Ryan firmly scored. More pressure from Rangers, more chances but no goals. Then from a Danny corner, the defenders clearance was smashed into his own net for an own goal. Unlucky but Rangers had scored. Charlie ‘the cat’ had nothing to do all game, this was due to some great defending by Euan and Joshua. Charlie however remained alert, concentrated and was ready for anything!

In the second match, there were more goals. Ranger where asked by their Manager to show more passing discipline and remember that Teamwork is essential.

Against a young team, Rangers started confidently and Ryan had an early chance, but shot wide. Then after 3 minutes Owen tried a cheeky shot which beat the keeper at the front post, he scored. Ryan broke down the left; he laid the ball into George who passed to Danny who scored with a neat finish. Rangers continued to defend very well and confidently. From a goal kick Charlie smashed the ball down field so far it created a corner kick for Rangers. Danny swept in the corner, Owen hit the post and George was there to follow up and score. Soon after the restart, Ryan had an opportunity and confidently put the ball in the net.

Rangers made changes. George and Euan made way for Alex T and Haydn. Joshua continued to show mature defending and Rangers pressed forward. A shot bounced off the keeper and Alex T was well positioned and scored from close range.

At half time George and Euan replaced Ryan and Danny. Euan seemed comfortably and made a clearance to George, whose cross shot went inches (sorry centimetres) wide. A superb tackle from Joshua helped Rangers clear their lines. Alex T still looked lively too, then Haydn broke free down the right and finished superbly with his left foot in the corner; great goal well done.

It was a good day for Rangers. On Remembrance Sunday 2009, two final things Rangers must also remember; firstly don’t compete amongst yourselves it really doesn’t matter who scores the goals as long as the team wins, secondly ALWAYS Respect the match Officials, NEVER EVER question decisions, whether a player, coach or parent... [This will not be tolerated at Stafford Rangers FC]

Match Reports – 18/Oct

This was without question the boy’s best performance yet. As a team they played magnificently!

Once again it was a bright morning at Rowley Park. The boys were buzzing following their visit to Marston Road on Saturday to see the first team against Stalybridge Celtic.

Ranger made a bright start and forced an early corner against strong opposition. Soon came a vital early breakthrough. Owen made a superb run the length of the pitch and cleverly looked up for a team mate. He squared to George who was free in the box; who side footed the ball past the goalkeeper. Rangers were happy but needed to retain their shape. Euan and Joshua made a series of superb defensive challenges to stamp their authority on the game.

Then in an incident that saw George get a ‘bloody lip’ following a boot in the face, Rangers extended their lead. From the resulting free kick, Danny pickup up the ball then with a pinpoint pass found Ryan. Ryan showed great vision and pace to beat three players, and then squared the ball to George who once again slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. The Rangers Manager started to smile, training was clearly working! He was even happier 3 minutes later. The busy Danny found Ryan at the back post, with a superb cross. Ryan steered the ball with his head into the far corner of the net. It was a truly skilful finish from one so young. From a Euan clearance the ball broke to Ryan he passed to Owen who finished well from distance. Rangers were literally queuing up for chances but couldn’t convert anything more; there were too many to mention! With almost the last kick of the half, Danny took a corner, the goal keeper seem certain to collect but fumbled and the ball ended up in the net for an own goal.

Straight after half time Owen had a chance that he scored. Haydn was introduced after Euan picked up an injury. There was a passage of scrappy play where both team seemed to lose concentration; but Rangers continued to try hard. George was withdrawn for Alex Thomas who made some great defensive runs and supported the defence. Danny then broke down the left, cut in and finished well in the far corner. Alexander replaced Joshua Deakin who had had a solid game. Two defensive mix ups late on resulted in Rangers conceding twice.

A fabulous performance boys, this performance triggered words of praise from the opponent’s parents and manager.

The second game started, George and Owen worked a neat one-two, as he attempted to clear the defender put the ball in his own net for an own goal. Owen then had an opportunity from distance but the ball went inches over. Then a great individual goal from Joshua saw him beat 3 players and calmly finish in the corner. A succession of corners followed, but Rangers couldn’t take the opportunities. Even though they have scored twice they were not really playing as a team together in this second game. Just before the break the manager switched Alexander for Charlie. Charlie had had a solid game with little to do.

At half time George and Owen were replaced by Alex and Haydn. From the restart Alex Thomas broke clear and played in the busy Ryan, but Ryan couldn’t connect with a shot. Haydn was fouled on the left and from the resultant free kick Danny scored directly, great goal. Then again Danny was put in by Euan, he ran clear and coolly finished. Owen remained busy and late on scored twice against the tiring opponents.

Well done boys enjoy the half term break. You deserve it!

Match Report – 11/Oct/09

This week saw the arrival of the new Training Jackets for the boys, and how they needed them! On a wet and cold morning the boys assembled at Monckton Centre. After a long training session on Saturday the boys were ready to put their ideas into practice on the greasy surface at Monckton.

  In a tight game, Rangers started well with some excellent early passing movement. Danny Stevens made a great run down the right but the chance failed to lead to anything. Both teams bunched the midfield and the play became a little scrappy. Ryan then led the Rangers attack down the left wing and forced the first corner of the game. Good pressure from the boys but no reward. Joshua Deakin and Euan Matthews were commanding at the back and particularly Euan made some superb defensive tackles to keep Rangers in the game. With things still tight, Rangers started to turn on the style and create some opportunities. Then in a bizarre incident, one of the opponents seemed to handle the ball for no apparent reason; Rangers were awarded a penalty. George was designated to take it. A strong spot kick was saved well and from the rebound he hit the post, the ball broke to Ryan who slotted it beneath the keeper to score his first goal of the weekend.

  After half time Joshua made way for Alexander Bush. He quickly settled well into the game making some excellent strong challenges. Rangers forced a corner, Danny and Owen took it short, the ball broken to Ryan whose cross shot was narrowly wide. From a throw in, Danny put George through, his shot skipped off the wet surface and hit the post; Ryan raced in but couldn’t convert the chance. Charlie ‘The Cat’ made only one save during the match late on to keep the clean sheet.

Well done boys.

Wow the second game of the morning was eagerly awaited by both sides. In this non competitive environment, when school friends play one another, everyone has fun. This was certainly the case today.

  Straight from the kick off Rangers forced a corner. Danny swung in a super corner kick which hit the near post and was them smothered by the goalkeeper. Soon after that, an absolutely fantastic team move resulted in Rangers scoring. Ryan picked up the ball on the left and beat 2 players well, he cleverly found George on the edge of the area with his back to goal; he looked up and saw Owen thundering in on goal. George intelligently slotted it sideways into his path and Owen rifled the ball with an unstoppable shot. Great teamwork!

The game was tight and the oppositions ‘danger-men’ were being well maintained by Rangers. The defensive play from both Joshua and Euan was magnificent. The defending appeared natural and solid. Then a chance started by the busy Danny allowed Ryan to cross from the left and George was inches wide with a header. From the resultant goal kick George returned the favour and crossed for Ryan whose chance went narrowly wide. Owen continued to lead by example and his defending was neat. Just before the break Rangers had a chance to score but once again Ryan headed wide. Then, with the last kick of the half, Euan chased back with the forwards to make a goal saving tackle.

  Great pressure from Rangers after the restart was not rewarded with a goal. Euan and Joshua once again made important tackles. Then came, a vital breakthrough; Rangers broke down the left and were awarded a throw in. Owen took the throw in and found Danny, he played the ball across the box; it came to George who took the ball at waste high on the volley; the ball sailed into the net. Rangers felt more comfortable now and their confidence was showing through. A series of short corners lead to a goal mouth scramble when Ryan seemed certain to score, but the ball was cleared once again. With 2 minutes left Alexander Bush replaced the exhausted Joshua, to shore up the defensive. He certainly did that by making an important interception with his first touch.

Excellent game boys, you defended fantastically and scored 3 great team goals, this week.

Match Report / 4 Oct

This week’s first game was a tight affair due mainly to the fact that their opponents were well organised, and it showed that they have been together for a whole season . However this young Rangers team was eventually rewarded when goals came from Ryan and Owen. Even though it was disappointing to concede goals, the lads are constantly learning new skills and developing a good attitude of never giving up and enjoying their football.

The second match on Sunday was very different. . Tactical changes were made which saw Owen moved to right wing and Euan asked to play at right back. This was a much better performance and the boys worked hard and battled, which was great to see.

There were no less than 5 players who scored in this game, 2 for George White, 2 for Ryan Walker-Boardman, Danny Stevens and first goals of the season for Joshua Deakin and Alex Thomas. A great all round team effort. Well done Rangers.

Match Reports – 27/Sept

The second weekend saw the boys paired with tough opposition.

  The boys started well but even so Danny Stevens made a great defensive tackle to avert an attack. Owen Turner made a superb pass through the middle to George White, but he couldn’t convert the chance. Ryan Boardman had a great opportunity after being put through but narrowly shot wide. A defensive lapse from Rangers saw their opponents with a 3 on 1 opportunity and seems certain to score, but incredibly Charlie ‘the cat’ Stenson smothered the ball. Euan made a darting run down the right wing, took the ball to the by-line and crossed; George White confidently smashed the ball into the net with a great finish.The game was very tight and competitive and a busy Danny made another great defensive tackle. Danny delivered a great corner to the back post, Ryan seemed certain to score with the goal gaping but couldn’t deliver the finishing touch this time.

  Rangers started well in the second-half and George showed a fantastic touch to beat three players on the right wing. He slotted the ball to Ryan who unselfishly laid off to Euan Matthews, who superbly finished in the roof of the net. Some excellent defending from Rangers saw them soak up lots of pressure, then on the break Danny passed through to Ryan whose firm shot was narrowly deflected wide for a corner.

 Well done a great game and great team play.

The second game kicked off, Rangers looked organised.

  Early on Owen made a terrific run and shot, he was rewarded with his first goal of the season. Joshua Deakin then made a trademark defensive tackle shortly after the restart. Euan picked up the ball just inside the attacking half and tried a cheeky looping shot, the goal keeper mishandled but George hit the post with the chance. Rangers then made changes. Alexander Bush was introduced for Joshua; Hayden Jennings replaced Euan. The substitutes made an immediate impact and from a goal kick, George intercepted. He cleverly chested the ball and volleyed the ball home. Soon after Danny picked up a poor clearance and smashed the ball into the net. Owen was busy and had another shot parried and Ryan did fantastically well to follow up, he slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Rangers were streaming forward now with confidence. Alexander made a great defensive tackle but was unlucky to be judged to have fouled his opponent. Rangers defended the chance well.

  After half time Alex Thomas was introduced for his first game. He quickly settled into the game. Owen then had another chance which he superbly converted. Then a great run by Danny down the left saw Alex Thomas open in the centre, he stabbed the ball goal wards but narrowly missed. Very unlucky. Owen was unstoppable; he once again picked the ball up in the left, cut in and superbly took a looping shot which nestled in the back of the net for his Hat-trick. Both teams were tired now but kept working hard.

Great game boys, this game taught us lots about the importance of defending as a team.

Match Reports – 20/Sept

The first weekend saw the boys paired with tough opposition in their first games. The boys went through their usual warm up session and were very excited!

  The game kicked off with a very nervy start, where Stafford Rangers almost conceded a goal in the first 30 seconds! They soon settled. Danny Stevens made a great run through the middle to set up an opportunity which saw firstly Ryan Boardman then George White both hit the post. Then on 6 minutes Rangers scored their first goal. Euan Matthews scored from direct play.

  After the break once again Euan picked up the ball on the right, shot and beat the keeper at the near post. It was another goal for him. After the restart Rangers were looking like they were enjoying it and Ryan was terribly unlucky to once again hit the post. Alexander Bush and Keiran Bond were introduced for Joshua Deakin and Euan. From a throw in on the right, the ball broke free and was slotted into the box. George finished neatly from close range, for his first goal of the season.

Great team play by this young side

  The second game was a much tighter, both teams looked organised and Rangers soaked up the pressure for the early minutes. Charlie Stenson made a great save early on. Danny was bought down on the edge of the box as he was shaping to shoot and from the free kick Ryan powered the ball in the net. Just before half time Charlie made another great save to keep the excitement going.

  In the first second half attack, a fantastically worked one- two involving Danny and George resulted in Danny scoring his first goal, high in the net. Rangers were flying. Danny then picked the ball up in his own half and cut in coolly slotting under the Goalkeeper for his second goal. Late on Joshua made an incredible goal saving tackle when Rangers looked certain to concede.

Well done boys an entertaining match.