Year 7 Boys' Football Match vs Fairlands

The year 7 boys Football team served up a feast of goals in a brilliant game against a skillful and determined Fairlands team. Hugh Sexey started brightly with midfield dynamo Eric striking the crossbar with a rasping drive. Fairlands then scored first against the run of play. Their powerful striker finishing cooly after a long pass was played over the top. Hugh Sexey continued to stick to their possession based game, with the midfield trio of Eric, Logan and Tyler having a pronounced impact on the game. It was a joy to watch them win the ball and then keep it with slick and intricate passes. Jack and Louis offered excellent width for the midfield from the full back positions and both got lots of ball in attacking positions. After a defensive corner Hugh Sexey worked the ball to Captain Harry on the right and the ball was worked into the box. Fairlands managed to clear their lines but Tyler was waiting outside the box and produced a spectacular finish with his weaker foot to level the scores. The Fairlands keeper had been playing out of his skin and it was going to take something special to beat him. Luke entered the fray from the bench and put in a physical commanding performance that was reminiscent of a young Kevin Davies of Bolton Wanderers fame. His presence unsettled the Fairlands defense and this allowed the midfield and full backs even more time on the ball.

At half time the boys talked about being more positive in attack and working the ball forward quicker. It didn't take them long to put this into practice with Eric netting another goal that, like Tyler's, wouldn't of been out of place in a goal of the Month competition. For 10 minutes Hugh Sexey then played some excellent Football. Charlie offered width to the attack and when called upon James was a commanding presence at the back. Indeed, many of the attacks started with James quick thinking and ability to see the game in front of him. As the game progressed, Tyler went through the whole box of tricks, playing no look passes and seeming impossible to knock off the ball. At one stage he had 3 players against him and managed to wriggle free before playing the ball back into the midfield. After a through ball was cut out, Louis pounced with a thunderous goal from outside the box. It was another cracking goal and required excellent technique to keep the ball down. With the score at 3-1 Fairlands showed excellent spirit and got back into the game with a neat finish after excellent approach play by their Captain. Fairlands seemed buoyed by this and it was a nervous watch as a ball was floated into the Hugh Sexey box. The Fairlands strikers first touch was immaculate. He pulled the trigger to shot, but Keeper Henry stood his ground and caught the powerful shot. This was a key moment in the game. Henry then played it forward and as he was regaining his breath got to watch Eric deliver the decisive goal to make the game 4-2.

Both teams played the game with an excellent spirit. It was an absolute joy to referee and watch the game. If this is the future of football we are in safe hands.