U11 A & B v Fettes

Despite being the only team to brave the icy conditions and snow covered fields over the past week or so, the U11 boys had little time to prepare effectively for this double, seven a side, fixture against Fettes.

 

After a delayed departure (no names mentioned Wiiiiillllllssss) and some bad traffic, we arrived a bit late for the match and had little time to warm up. After a brief briefing (what else?), the boys were sent on to the field. Unfortunately for the B team, with both matches running concurrently, they would have to fend for themselves as I would have to referee the A team match. I was however confident that their captain Archie and the Belhaven Parent Supporters Club, would see them right. It was only a shame that the old Belhaven pupils who had come to watch (Arabella, Gravesy and Ralphy) had to nip off to their French lesson before we got started - nice to see you guys again.

 

The A team match started with a rush and Fettes showed themselves to be an enthusiastic team, soon putting us on the defensive. Our response was excellent and with a surge up the field, Will had our first goal, in the third minute. That seemed to take the wind out of Fettes’ sails and we dominated for most of the half. There was some good passing from Angus and Geordie in the middle and Charlie made some ground on the left wing. Kit got the ball all too seldom on the right wing. Tom was a bit tentative on the 16 yard hits, but tackled well. Ollie made one or two good saves when Fettes did manage to break through.

 

The second half was quite scrappy. Despite my exhortations to use the full width of the pitch, the ball seldom seemed to leave the middle of the field. Defenders didn’t clear it out the side and the halves didn’t take, or hit, it wide. Tom grew in confidence and smashed some balls up the field. In the sixth minute, Belhaven was awarded a free hit on the edge of the D and Will, showing great awareness of what was going on, took a quick tap to Jamie who managed to slot it past the bemused ‘keeper.

 

There were some other exciting moments: Ollie made some good saves; we managed to keep out a number of penalty corners; Jamie made a lunge to stop a ball on our goal-line (not the first time he has done that); and Geordie had a good crack at their goal. Eventually, with 10 seconds on the clock, Will (I think) took a quick hit-in from the side which found its way to Kit, who slotted it past the ‘keeper with less than a second to go. Good stuff and a good win.

 

The B team match, I only caught glimpses of. What I did see was Constantin charging up and down the line; Archie dominating the back; Hewie looking sharpish out front and the boys in the middle (Will D and Harry) looking determined to win every ball. I hear that both Sam and Wills did well on the wing, both making a number of runs. I don’t think he had too much to do but I was also told that Christian made at least one very good save. Many thanks to the Belhaven Parent Supporters Club who provided the half-time lecture / encouragement. I saw Hewie score two goals but hear that he got a total of four, with Will D scoring one as well, while we only conceded one. Fantastic stuff indeed and a victory to be proud of.