Bootle FC U16s 4 vs 0 Precision Sports

Another game we entered with injuries and absenteeism hitting us hard, is the squad big enough only time will tell.
We met at Clubmoor with the prospect of rain and inspecting the pitch after the recent downpour but the pitches were in perfect condition. What was a concern was hearing that a few players had been off school with illness, I felt we would be up against the elements, illness and strong opposition in today’s game.

We shuffled the team around and informed the lads to stay compact and keep the ball on the ground. We also had to stop the long balls to their pacy attack and fight for the first and second balls.

Anyhow, the game kicked off and it was all Precision in the first fifteen minutes but without any real threat, it was our, deep midfield, defence and keeper keeping them at bay. Our attacks where coming from counters but I wasn’t overly concerned as we we were in control with our attack proving great outlets and linking up together really well when in possession.
It was after this period that we sprung into life. Callum fed Tom with an eye of the needle pass who was about to round the keeper but was bought down, pen Bootle. Callum stepped up and converted it with ease, 1-0 to the young bucks, we now had the bit between our teeth. The goal settled us down and gave us a platform to build on with the lads now building play and keeping possession a lot better. Not long after this a move that started with Kian, finding Charlie who in turn found Jack, he left his man with skill then fed Callum down the right who beat three men to score from the narrowest angle, 2-0 to the Bucks.
Precision were not down tho and they continued to pose a threat.
HT 2-0
The half time team talk consisted of three things, don’t think the game is over yet, game management and to work harder up top to stop the long ball.
For the first 10-15 minutes of the second, this just did not happen with Precision having the lions share of play and posing a threat and getting through too easily but our solid defending were a match.
Again we held firm, got through this period and then started to become the dominant team. Great link up play between Jack, Charlie and Callum created a chance which Tom seized up and was about to pull the trigger but was took down, pen to Bootle. Callum stepped up again but his effort went over the bar in the swirling wind.
Would this give Precision confidence to mount a come back and make our heads drop, it was a real test for our lads to see how they would react. I’m glad to say it did not affect us at all, we dusted ourselves down and went looking for the third goal. Jack had a fierce shot saved, with one also going just wide and Tom also saw a clear penalty waved away as well as chances blocked by the defenders but the third did come soon after. It involved good link up play with Jack, Charlie and Elliott after Joel and Jacob combined to win the ball back, Callum was found on the edge of the area and drilled home a low fierce shot, three nil. One of the best things I can say now is that we didn’t take anything for granted. Not long after this Charlie shot from mid way through his own half after a clearance from the keeper, it landed by Tom who then converted, 4-0 to the Bucks.
We now saw our the game in a mature fashion with subs made to cater for injuries and illness.
FT 4-0

This was a deserved victory against a strong, physical team but the level of maturity shown by us meant that for me this was one of the most pleasing victories I’ve witnessed from one of my teams.
No league fixture next week due to a free week so I’m looking for a friendly to keep the momentum going.

Goals Callum x 3 & Tom x 1

MOM Again Jacks link up play and work rate was top rate, Joel and Sean were commanding in defence and Matty in goal was reliable and as calm as ever but it goes to Callum not just for his three goals but his overall game, link up play, work rate, skill and determination, well done.