Hello everyone - we probably don't do this often enough (but will in future)
We'd a bigger squad today than normal as it was a development game & hence no league points were at stake, plus we also had three new junior players making their debuts for the team, Alex, Seb & Leo. So I feel it is well worth writing a report on how the whole team performed today! Clitheroe also had a big squad of 16 & their U14 players also had a tournament elsewhere so most of their juniors were older & stronger than ours. This isn't really a report on the actual match but more about how you all performed for the team today.
We had our usual back three of keeper Steve, strong defenders in the middle of Jamie & Paul. We try every match in the 3s to have a solid spine starting at the back - we tend to be one player 'short' most games to play in the central midfield area, who's a really solid player both defensively & operates as a 'playmaker' too. I really wanted Shaun Wilson to play this role today but......... not sure why but it didn't happen (partly as we as a club always want our youngsters to have more game time than the seniors, we actually had 17 today so did make it tricky to keep making changes to try & share game time around. However, Will, Reuben & Findlay all got stuck in great. Andrew was terrific whenever he came on. Noah worked his socks off. Gus did what Gus does every single game too. Matthew Edwards on the left side is improving with every game he plays & is making immense strides with his game. Shaun Mayall (who's been poorly all week) showed lovely control in the midfield areas he was operating in. However, with Seb, Alex & Leo all on debut, all three of you performed exceptional well & you three ought to be very proud of your performances today! You showed great character! - all of you juniors must remember today, you were playing against (player for player) an older & stronger team. Each & everyone of you put in what we call a "huge shift" today, never gave up, never stopped chasing, tackling frequently successfully too. It would have been lovely to get a goal or two! We had a few shots, their keeper is very experienced. But there is tonnes to work on in the near future & your 'effort' cannot be questioned today. Everyone of you are improving. Every player improves at different rates too. It's not a straight line graph of improvement by any means. Never let your heads drop!! Ever.
We will always do our best by you & for you, rest assured parents & players.
When I started playing (way way back) we used to get hammered most weeks by double-figures most weeks - but within 5 years we became the best team in the county. Those defeats stood us in great stead for the future & even today we have never forgot where we came from & how. We always thoroughly enjoyed those games back then & still talk about them to this day!
We thank you enormously for your efforts 100%. We have a lovely team photo from today, sadly it's not come through to me
Steve