Football - out in the cold.

 

The year 8 football team came unstuck at home against a very powerful Fairlands side on a bitterly cold afternoon. Hugh Sexey started the game brightly but were unable to get in behind the Fairlands defence. With Ellis absent through injury and other players unavailable they found in difficult to threaten in attacking areas. Fairlands had a very technically adept midfield coupled with great size and strength and at times Hugh Sexey couldn't hold onto possession. Will understood the importance of moving the ball away from them quickly but sadly not enough players made themselves available for the next pass. The first half finished 3 - 0 to Fairlands with one goal a 30 yard screamer. The fact that the midfielder apologised as soon as he hit it suggests it was not intended, but when the heavy wind caught it the ball nearly broke the netting. At half time some of the players dropped their heads but Hugo, Maddie, Ollie and Alex helped galvanise the troops and they went into the second half much brighter. Hugh Sexey had a bit more snap going for the lose ball and started to play with a bit more savvy by playing passes quickly and then moving beyond the hulking presences in midfield and defence. In the early exchanges they had good opportunities to score but good defending plus a little hesitancy meant nothing came of it. Fairlands continued to threaten as Hugh Sexey poured forward but a lack of composure and some excellent/unorthodox work by Kayden in the sticks meant they were unable to add to their goals. It was a much brighter second half and the players should take some pride from their doggedness. They must learn though that in order to keep the ball players have to make themselves available to receive it. Player of the match was Ollie for a typically combative and energetic performance at left back. If every player played with his courage, spirit and velocity the game would have been closer. All of those traits are achievable and desirable in athletes and require nothing more than a positive mind-set.

 

2-2 thriller at Hugh Sexey

 

Wells Blue arrived at Hugh Sexey to play a year 7 game that was very close to being cancelled due to the heavy rain that descended upon the South West. Thankfully a suitable playing surface was found and all of the players did their best to challenge the elements and play some attractive football. Wells Blue started really well. They were able to work the ball through the usually dominate midfield and create good opportunities. Only desperate defending stopped them from getting an early lead. The feeling was that things would quickly come together and that Hugh Sexey would start to get a foothold as they appeared to have the monopoly on skilful players. However the sticky surface coupled with the fact that Wells were an incredibly well drilled and spirited side meant that this never came to fruition. Eventually their persistence paid off and they bundled the ball into the Hugh Sexey net for a goal. At half time Ollie demanded more from the players and instructed the players to be more hungry for the ball and to use it more wisely. This seemed to do the trick as the players came out with more intent and purpose. Noah then scored a typical poachers goal before Wells grabbed another against the run of play. Hugh Sexey kept going and Ollie scored an equaliser after a sweeping move allowed Noah to turn provider. Hugh Sexey then pushed and pushed for the winner with a tight call on a penalty being turned down by VAR. In the end they could have pinched a victory but a draw was a fair reflection of a well contested and entertaining game.