So near, so hot

Charlbury All Blacks

Harry, Jordan, Niall, Robert, Arnie & Jam

Game 1

Charlbury 1 V Tower Hill Reds 0

Niall with a great solo run and great determination to keep the ball and going round 2 players made a low shot at goal, which went in. This was early in the game and gave us the advantage. A great combination corner between Jam and Robert with a great save from the goalie could of put us 2-0 up. We then defended well and were the better team on the day. A great team effort. Niall's first goal for Charlbury this season and well taken, well done Niall.

Game 2

Charlbury 2  V Bloxham 0

The game started with both teams moving the ball well. Roberts picked up the ball in midfield and quickly passed it to Arnie who quickly passed in to Harry up front. Harry beat the last defender and scored a superb goal. 1-0 up. Bloxham came back quickly and forced Jam to make the save of the tournament, two handed, he just pushed the ball  over the bar, a superb save. The Bloxham Manager was quick to praise Jam. 2 minutes to go and Robert collected the ball from a poor clear out from Bloxham, he then shoot low and hard and scored a stunning goal in the bottom right hand corner. Charlbury were 2-0 up. A superb team effort.

Game 3

Charlbury 0  V Launton 0

This was a tough game with both teams moving the ball well. Arnie was superb in the midfield winning the ball and Jordan was awesome at the back. Nobody got past them. Harry up front making some great runs and unlucky not to have scored, forcing some great saves from the Launton Keeper. At our end Launton made Jam work hard and a superb save again from Jam to keep us in the game. The game finished 0 - 0 with both teams playing some lovely football.  

Game 4

Charlbury 0  V Duckington Yellows 1

This was always going to be a tough match. 3 minutes into the game with both teams moving the ball around well. Ducklington cleared the ball with a long high clearance. Their forward managed to get into a good position and with a lucky bounce managed a head the Ball past Jam. 1 - 0 to Ducklington .Ducklington were the stronger team and we had to defend with all that we had. Again Arnie and  Jordan were superb in defence and Ducklington never got a good shot on goal, however we were not able to get the ball up to Harry and the game ended  with no more goals and Ducklington winning on the day 1-0. Ducklington Yellows went on the win the Tournament. 

Jam Played 3 games in goal was unlucky not to score in the first game and made the save of the tournament, well done Jam for playing in goal and playing so well.

Jordan as usual he was awesome in defence bring the ball out of the danger zone and made so many crucial tackles (Mr awesome)

Niall My player of the Tournament, scored his first goal, passed the ball well, kept running and tackled well. Congratulations on the goal.

Robert All over the pitch never stopped running he was in defence and then up front. Always knew were the ball was going, moved the ball well teaming up with Arnie and Harry with some great combination play. Robert was central to the team and helped the others play at their very best. Thank you Robert.

Arnie was tenacious in midfield, battling to win the ball. I lost count how many times he won the ball. He never stopped running and read the game very well.

Harry Had a good 1st game in goal and kept a clean sheet. Played up front for the next three games, always giving the opposition trouble was unlucky not to have scored more goals on numerous occasions. 

So in summary We came third overall with Ducklington on 10 points and Launton on 8 and Charlbury All Blacks with 7. ( so close) we only let in one goal and we lost to the eventual winners. A great team efforts from all the boys and I was very proud of the commitment, energy and skill.

Charlbury Reds

Max , Oscar , Lewis , Aaron , Dan B , Dan H , Jacko

Game 1

Charlbury 1 - 0  Bampton

Bit of a slow start from the boys but they slowly took control of the game and limited Bampton to very few chances, Oscar and Max worked well at the back. Lewis, Aaron and Dan H tackled well all game and never allowed Bampton any time on the ball.  A determined run and shot from Dan H was well saved by the keeper but Jacko was on hand to score the only goal of the game.  Dan B came on for Jacko and we continued to press for more goals.

Game 2

Charlbury 0-0 StEdmunds

Chances were limited in this game as neither team really got hold of the ball enough, very stop start.  But we had the greater energy and threat but could not get enough clear shots at goal.  The heat was certainly playing a part and a couple of players were struggling.  Good point though.

Game 3

Charlbury 1 - 0  Charlton and District

Another tight game with both teams trying to get the ball down and play some good football,  Max had to make a couple of saves but overall Oscar and Dan B kept Charlton at bay.  Lewis and Daniel were linking up well and we created many chances but the ball would not go in.  Dan H and Jacko had chances to score but shots were blocked on the line or well saved.  Aaron came on for Oscar and just as we thought time was up Dan B got hold of the ball ran up the wing a scored past the keeper.  Great goal and we deserved the win.

Game 4

Charlbury 1 - 2 Chesterton 

We were confident going into this game and thought we could get the draw we needed to progress into the semi's.  The game was very even but Chesterton kept the ball better than us and forced Max into some great saves.  We kept battling and Jacko was unlucky not to score before further Charlbury pressure saw Dan H flick the ball past the Chesterton keeper.  We then gave Lewis a deserved rest and put Aaron into the midfield.

We then gave away a silly free kick and Chesterton scored,  the goal should never have stood as Max was blatantly and deliberately pushed out of the way. We all felt wronged by this and unfortunately the team lost all composure and conceded again in the last few seconds.  The rest is history so they say......................

I was very pleased how the boys played today against some very good teams, it was great to see Lewis in the Charlbury colours and will be an excellent addition to the team.  This group had never played as a unit before and thought they battled really well in the heat.  They kept 3 clean sheets and missed the semi's by 1 goal.

Great effort from both teams, we certainly missed Ross and Blake but the boys should be proud how they played. As always thanks for all the support on the day.

Clive and Richard

Details for the tournament

Hi all

We are training for the last time this Thursday 6.00 - 7.00 and we will get the teams sorted for Sunday's tournament.   We are entering two teams so we need all the players if possible,  Ross is unavailable as he's broken his arm -so get well soon.

The u12's will be playing from 12.00 so please have the player there around 11.30.

Thanks to all that have volunteered to help with the various jobs that need doing - see attached rota for the morning to check your where and when's .

Thanks for the kind words and gifts at the presentation evening,  Richard and I would like to thank you all for the support and help over the season and look forward to doing it all over again next year. 
We hope we can keep the same players together for next year and look forward to Lewis joining the team.

Please let me know asap if you are unsure about next season and will have some signing on info at the tournament.

Regards

Clive and Richard

football this week.

Hi all

We are training this week , 6.00- 7.00 on the top pitch. 6 aside training.

Reminder about this Sunday's presentation Ev.

Presentation Evening 2011- 2012 Season at Charlbury Primary School, Sunday 20th May
Under 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 teams 5.00 – 6.00
Break for Buffet
Under 10, 11, 12, 13,14 Teams 6.30 onwards

Bar and “ Bring a plate of food “ Buffet.

Still waiting for a few parents player of the year votes.

Regards

Clive

Chesterton Tournament

Hi all

We took 8 players over to Chesterton today and enjoyed another cold and wet tournament !

The boys played very well today and we played four league games ;

Charlbury 1 - 1 Highfield - really good game, had some early chances but went behind to a well taken goal ( we never start well ), but the boys poured forward and got a deserved equaliser when Robert finished off a fantastic passing move.  We created many chances but their goalkeeper pulled off some great saves to keep the game at 1-1.
Charlbury 3 - 0 Launton Ath. -  From the whistle we were all over Launton, playing some great football. We had one at the back and this gave us an extra man to attack.  First goal game from a corner which Robert fired in low ( John's idea. ) Second goal game from Max's quick throw that Jam ran onto and chipped the keeper- great finish. Our third was another good team goal with great passing and finished off really well at the back post by Arnie.
Charlbury 1 - 2 Chesterton A-  Very even game but we gave them far too much time and space,  Chesterton went one up from a corner that came off Robert and Max. Unlucky.  We hit back from our own corner as Robert fired in the clearance.   Chesterton hit the winner in the final couple of minutes.
Charlbury 1 - 0 Launton   -  Another very good passing game of football, we created many chances by good quick passing and took the lead with another quick corner that Robert fired in low and the ball flew into the net.  Should have scored more but instead had a nervy last few minutes.

 Into the semi-finals.

Charlbury  2 - 1 Chesterton B -   With conditions and the pitch getting worse we battled to our first win over Chesterton this season.   Chesterton took the lead but we hit back with Robert and this gave us the confidence to go for the winner. It was end to end stuff but Daniel created some space and fired in the winner to take us into the final.

Final

Charlbury 0 - 1 Chesterton A -  Having only just lost to this team earlier we had the belief we could win this.  The first half was very even with both teams having chances, Chesterton played better in the second half as they were quicker to the ball and kept their shape better, the game was heading for the dreaded penalties when Chesterton's striker turned and fired a fantastic shot past Max.  A few seconds later the whistle went. So near again.  Heads were down but the boys should be proud of their efforts today,just need to show more belief and hunger for the ball, that was the difference today.

Great effort from all the players , Max, Jordan , Oscar , Ross , Robert, Arnie , Jam and Daniel.
Played some great football, scored 8 conceded 5.

Thanks for all the support from the parents and we come away with another trophy.

6 aside training Thursday 6.00 - 7.15.
 

Charlbury 2 - 3 Banbury

For the first time in ages we  managed to get the whole squad together and it was good to have them all for the last game of the season. Since Christmas it has been postponement or injuries every other week and this has really affected the momentum of the team.

Although we again succumbed to a goal right at the end which was bad luck for the boys and especially Max,  I was really proud and pleased with the teams performance today.  The team played very well in the first half especially, all over the pitch players were working hard, running into space and passing the ball well.  Every player had a good game and we created many chances , the most pleasing part was the amount of pressure we were putting on Banbury. They knew they were in a game and were going to have to play well to beat us.

The team moved the ball very quickly and got behind their defence  a few times but we could not put the ball in the net, their keeper made two good saves from Harry who got into some great positions.
There were a few times when we lost the ball and were slow to react and this enabled Banbury to break very quickly but the defence and Max were keeping them away from goal, unfortunately  whilst attacking we lost the ball in the Banbury  penalty area and a few seconds later we were  1 nil down.  Great counter attack from Banbury but I lost count of the tackles missed .

 Our heads did not drop though and we continued to play some great football and we got our deserved equaliser when some lovely passing released Harry again and this time  he got his deserved goal.

We then had a few minutes of madness with some awful tackles that left Daniel and Arnie on the floor, the ref having to talk to the Banbury coaches, this can only mean we were playing well.  This sort of nonsense does affect the players and instead of a half time talk about how we played, the boys are wound up about the tackles and attitude.

The first half performance was built around good quick passing, getting control of the ball and keeping our shape,  we don't seem to be able to keep this going and would prefer not to have half time  as the second half was not so good.   Maybe I made too many changes but we struggled to cause Banbury as many problems in the second half.  The three players that came on Jacko, Niall and Blake all played well but we lost our shape.

Having said that it was still 1-1 and all to play for,  we had Jam upfront now and his speed and willingness to chase anything was a real concern for Banbury .  We took the lead after some good link up play from Jacko who fed Jam who then tricked his way past the defenders and fire past the keeper.

Banbury were the better team in the second half and created many chances, these were either defended well or well saved from Max who was having a personal battle with their number 8.   This player was the main difference today , we tried hard but gave him too much space.  Banbury's second goal came after another Charlbury attack broke down and a good pass down the wing caught our defence sleeping, this was well crossed in and No 8 headed in past Max. We should have defended this a lot better.

We continued to get some shots on goal, Blake had a couple of long range chances, Jam was fouled in the box but no penalty but it was the No 8 again who got the final goal with a rasping shot that Max nearly saved.  From the kick off Robert went on a great run into their box but could not get a shot away. 

Another close game against one of the leagues top teams,  we can match them for most of the match - we were the better team in the first half but the concentration, effort and belief has to be for the whole game.

Max - Fantastic game, brilliant display. Parents player of the match.
Daniel B - Had a really good first half, great to have him playing again.
Jordan - Good battling performance today, loads of effort.
Oscar - Had his best game in a while,  more assured and passed well. Even headed the ball !
Aaron - Battled well even though he did not feel well. Thanks for playing.
Ross - Had a really good game, did not stop running, tackling and passing. Well played.
Arnie - Good to have Arnie playing again as well , gave the midfield some strength today and had a good game.
Robert - Also full of running and always tried to go forward, passed better today and linked the play well.
Jam - Played on the wing and a spell upfront,  played very well at both and scored a great goal.  Got caught a few times when he waited for the ball and needs to react a little quicker.
Harry - Had a very good first half,  was always getting in good positions, created chances and scored a well deserved goal.
Daniel - Started upfront and had a good half. Unlucky with his chance that went just wide.  Needs to go for everything and make the defenders work harder.
Niall - Played right back in the second half and continued his run of good games, made some good tackles but needs to move forward quicker.
Jacko - Played left wing and had his best game in a while, more confident, controlled the ball well and passed well.  Good to see, just need to work on his tackles.
Blake - Certainly playing with more determination over the past few weeks and showed great skill and strength to get some shots away.

Overall, good performance, lots to work on though. Sorry about the longest report of the season.

Thanks for all the help today and over the season. See you at the presentation Ev.

Thanks to Lynn and Sharon for the teas.