TMS 4 vs 5 Bootle FC U16s

It really did feel like the start of a new season and a renewed energy within the team, loyal faces, old faces and new ones graced the match day squad.
The sun was out and after Wednesdays fantastic team performance the lads were up for it, I could sense it.

We kicked off and instantly we where on the front foot, comfortably passing the ball round with zest and energy. We were creating chance after chance in the first ten minutes, it could have been 2 or 3 nil but it was one nil with Elliott Hay and Tim combining to free Tom who raced past his man to net home.
TMS scored a penalty shortly after due to a loss in concentration but this just spurred the lads on even more.
The second goal was a joy and one of the best I’ve witnessed in grassroots, Matty D threw it to Glen who passed it into Tims feet, he back heeled to Charlie who side stepped his man, found Jack who then squared to Tom to net home, 2-0.
Our fourth was created after brilliant work from Callum to find Tom in space who again lost his man to net home. we had numerous mor chances through Callum, Jack, Tom and TIm but good work by the keeper or the wrong pass enabled TMS to have confidence and with not long of the half left and us giving too much space away, we conceded a cross for their player to score at the far post.

HT 2-3

The second half was more of a compact affair in the first 20-25 mins with both teams staying more compact and not giving much away, with lots of second ball battles.
We had a counter attack which Jack held up brilliantly, found space then saw Callum’s run, he the back heeled it to Cal who hit it first time in the top corner, 4-2 to Bootle, surely the game would be won now.
With around 15 minutes left we attempted to see out the game and keep it tight but conceded possession too easily, left too many spaces in midfield and didn’t work hard enough without the ball, taking nothing away from TMS in this period who worked so hard and made us pay for our play with two late goals, 4-4.
TMS could’ve went ahead but were thwarted by a wonderful one handed save by Matty, outstanding it say the least, this gave us impetus.
The lads refused to give up though and believed they should have won the game earlier, so on the 79th minute with a minute to go Elliott Hay took this into his own hands with a brilliant surging run down the right hand side beating three men, crossed the ball into a crowded box, it hit a few TMS players but it fell nicely to Charlie who hit it first time and the celebrations began.
The ref blew not long after with us running out winners.
FT 4-5

It was an entertaining and enjoyable game to be involved in but there is work to be done on the training pitch on Monday, shape without the ball.
These set of lads are a joy and well put it right, I have no doubt.

Goals Tom x 3, Callum x 1 & Charlie x 1

MOM A few candidates today, Elliott Hay, Callum, Tim, Joel n Jack but for his first half hat trick it goes to Tom who could’ve scored more except for good work from the keeper.