8th January 2012: Red House Farm 3 - 7 Wideopen U11's

A fantastic start to the New Year for the U11's lads following what had been a rather extended break, our last game being against Ryton away back in November. It was a a rather pleasant morning more akin to spring than winter, and this put the boys in buoyant mood and they put in a superb performance. 

It was a rather crucial game, as given the mixed season and lack of the proverbial rub of the green, we've slipped to a low position in the league, certainly much lower than I would like and I had expressed to the boys that this was a game I expected 3 points from in order to haul us up the league and gain some ground on the clubs above us, including Red House Farm, who we have games in hand on.

The lads started very brightly and were in confident mood, and pleasing to me they were passing the ball around and making some great movements and always looking strong going forward and it wasn't long before the opening goal was on the score sheet, following a great passing move involving pretty much every player in the Wideopen team.

Again it was a match where every time Wideopen went forward it looked like it would result in a goal, as the lads passing and moving repeatedly caused Red House Farm problems. Andy had introduced a few changes to the team following recent performances and the new look attack of Lee in the hole feeding off kirk and Kane and using his pace to beat the offside trap in particular causing a number of issues for the Red House defence.

It wasn't all Wideopen in the first half, and despite opening a 3 goal lead, Red House Farm occasionally probed forward, but the lads were much more solid at the back with a new look back four, with Keiran dropping back from his advanced role, giving more confidence throughout the team. The line was breached in the first half just the once, but to be fair it was a great curling shot that beat Rob at the far post giving him little chance. Rob deserves a mention as he had a great game between the posts and it was particularly pleasing to see him being confident to come and claim at the feet of strikers....... all we need is him to learn to dive ;-)

Another worthy mention was Fynn who moved out onto the right wing and had his best game since joining, topped of by a goal - a looping shot over the keeper from the edge of the box, a superb first goal for Wideopen, and against his old club.

The second half was much the same, with Wideopen dominating the play from the kick off and a further 2 goals were added without reply. Andy decided to change things around to give the lads experience in different positions, but this caused a bit of disjointedness and allowed Red House to get back into the game, scoring 2 goals to bring the game back to 3-5.

Settling back down the boys started to play their football again and to reassert their dominance, and finished off the game the stronger adding a further two goals. 

We need to mention another lad, Tom, who scored his first goal for Wideopen since joining the team, having picked up the ball on the edge of the box after it was scrambled clear at a corner, he lobbed the keeper. I'm not sure who celebrated more, Tom, or his Dad who was running the line.

New Year, New Start and hopefully a Kick Start to the season. Probably one of the best performances of the season and the lads have now set the bar for the remaining fixtures.

Opposition MOM: Lee Armstrong

Next Match: Whitley Bay at home 11.30 ko.