Binfield Torpedoes Under 10 2007/2008

Binfield Torpedoes 3 - 2 Ascot United Royals 

18h30 kick off.  Tue 15th April 2008. 

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions :  Cold, windy. Pitch firm.

Attendance - 29.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Brandon, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Seb, Steven.  

First half.

A dreary windy Tuesday evening. After the kick off the Torpedoes simply couldn’t string a decent pass together. Every challenge was won by Ascot. Brandon shot off from the pack to latch on from a long pass from Josh with only the keeper to beat, only to trip over the ball. A dubious free kick given away which led to a goal from long range 0-1.

Soon after kick off, with heads down it was much the same. Instead of passing the ball, the Torpedoes seemed to be trying to kick it as hard as they could at each other, only to get onslaught after onslaught with Jamie making save after save.Another easy ball given away led to another shot from Ascot with Jamie picking the ball out of the back of the net again 0-2. After a good build up on the right, Steven had the goal in sight; he produced a scorching shot which was handled in the box and resulted in a penalty and he nervously (by his own admission) stepped up to make it 1-2.

Second Half

It was apparent that it was a different team that ran out onto the pitch, must have been the pep talk from the managers. With heads held high Torpedoes were straight on the attack, from a cross from Billy on the left Louie had a shot saved and earning a corner.

Ascot hit back but Seb was like a pit-bull in defence, he just wouldn’t let go not letting Ascot put a cross in. Josh was in central midfield and winning the ball passed it out to Billy who shot just over the bar.Ascot was now on the ropes and with some excellent tackling from Adriano the ball came out to Brandon who put in a well placed cross to Louie. Louie then chipped the ball up to loop it straight over the goalkeeper leaving him in a crumpled mess in the back of the net with the ball 2-2. The last five minutes were hectic with Seb intercepting the ball and doing a quick one -two with Adriano to lay the ball off to Josh who ran past two of Ascot to pass to Steven on the right. With Steven’s blistering pace the ball seemed to stick to his feet as he dummied a player to lay it on to Louie who passed it straight back for Steven to smash the ball past the keeper and straight through the back of the net to make it 3-2.  A couple more nervous moments before the referee eventually blew the final whistle.

A hard fought win.

Goals: Steven 2, Louie 1

Man of the Match: Brandon

Sandhurst Town Eagles 4 - 5  Binfield Torpedoes.

9.00 kick off.  Sat 12th April 2008. 

Venue : Sandhurst.  League Match.

Conditions :  Cold. Pitch firm.

Attendance - 23.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Brandon, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael,  Seb, Steven.

First Half.

The game started at a hectic pace with good end to end play. The Torpedoes soon got into a groove and the passing and running was fantastic to watch. An early poachers goal from Louie was soon followed up by another Louie strike after a great cross from Michael. Adriano and Seb were playing very well at the back and Sandhurst were only allowed to a few half chances. Louie missed the chance of a hat trick as his goal bound shot was inadvertently cleared off the line by one of his own team-mates. Jamie was in command of his area, and Steven and Billy were full of running. Josh dominated the midfield and his awareness of a pass was exceptional, especially when he put Brandon through to shoot the Torpedoes into a three nil half time lead.

Second Half.

Three nil up, the game looked won at half time....this was not to be the case !  A bit of over confidence and complancy crept into the Torpedoes game, coupled by a re-vitalised Sandhurst team that was obviously responding  to whatever their manager had told them at half time. A flying one handed save by Jamie to stop a certain goal was an early warning, but two quick Sandhurst goals got the Torpedoes supporters feeling a bit uncomfortable.The game was pulled back to 2-3. The boys seemed to have faith in their ability, and when Billy played a slide rule pass to Michael, he beat the defender to the ball and clipped his shot over the advancing keeper. Another great run and cross from Billy put Brandon through to score with a precise finish that was to be the match winning goal. Sandhurst got another couple of goals back, but time finally ran out on their gallant fight back.

A nine goal thriller, with plenty of entertaining attacking football.  Well done both teams.

Goals -  Louie (2),   Brandon,   Michael, Own goal

Man of the Match -  Brandon.

Binfield Torpedoes 0 - 2  Ascot United Royals.

9.00 kick off.  Saturday 15th  March 2008. 

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Cloudy. Pitch heavy.

Attendance - 16.

Binfield Players : Adriano,  Billy,  Brandon, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Seb.

The Torpedoes did not seem to be up for this one.

When you play the best team in the league it is hard enough, but it seemed that the boys had convinced themselves they were going to lose even before the kick off. They defended quite well, but from an attacking point of view their chances were few and far between. Ascot scored a good opener, and the boys did very well to hold out for the rest of the match, cruelly conceding the second goal with the last kick of the game.

It was all a bit frustrating for the Torpedoes supporters as we know we can play much better, but today was one of those days. One person who should feel very proud of his performance was Jamie, save after save kept the score respectable. He combined bravery with skill and was easily man of the match, he did not deserve to be on the losing side.

We wait in anticipation to see which Torpedoes team turns up next week !

Man of the Match - Jamie.

Binfield Torpedoes 3 - 1 F.C. Bracknell Arrows 

9.00 kick off.  Saturday 1st March 2008.

Venue : Stubbs Lane.   League Match.

Conditions : Cold,   Pitch firm.

Attendance - 21.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Brandon, Josh, Louie, Michael,  Seb, Steven.

First Half.

With Jamie missing due to injury, Brandon took over in goal for the first half.  The game started with early pressure from the Torpedoes, with good passing moves between Steven, Josh and Michael. In defence, Adriano and Seb tackled and covered well at the back and Brandon was not called on to make a save. Fast and direct wing play from both Billy and Michael ended in crosses that Louie could not quite get on the end of. The Torpedoes were passing very well, but a bit shot shy, trying to walk the ball into the net. Steven created some great chances but couldn't quite manage the finish that his skilful approach play deserved. Against the run of play Bracknell broke and scored a good goal. The Torpedoes continued to play their passing game and just on the stroke of half time Louie smashed the ball against the crossbar. The half time whistle went with the Torpedoes playing well but a goal down.

Second Half.

With instructions from the management to up the tempo and gets some shots going, the boys took to the field full of determination. Josh broke through to be one on one with the goalie, but his shot was tipped round the post. Just as it looked as if it was going to be "one of those days", up popped Steven to calmly slot home a moral boosting equaliser. Louie took over from Brandon in goal releasing Brandon to run from defence and cause problems to the opposition. More good wing play from Billy, Josh and Steven forced the ball across the goal area where Adriano, having made up acres of ground, side footed the Torpedoes into the lead. Bracknell now threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, Brandon and Michael had to be on their toes to defend Louie's goal. When Bracknell  did get through Louie made a great save with his feet. A few goal mouth scrambles got the heart rate going, but Seb calmed the nerves when his powerful shot beat the keeper at the near post. Even then Bracknell still kept pushing forward, including their goal keeper ! The sight of Michael, now in goal, nonchalantly leaning against his goal post while Bracknell were in the middle of an attack was perhaps a little over confident. The final whistle went, and the boys celebrated a hard fought victory.

Any one of the eight players could have got man of the match, but Seb, giving possibly his best display in a Torpedoes shirt, both in defence and attack, deservedly took the trophy home. Special thanks to Louie, Brandon and Michael for their stints in goal.... but Jamie get well soon !!

Goals - Steven.  Adriano.  Seb.

Man of the Match - Seb.

Binfield Torpedoes 3 - 1 Pinewood Panthers.

10.30 kick off.  Saturday 16th Feb 2008. 

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Cold and Sunny.  Pitch firm.

Attendance - 22.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Brandon, Billy, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Seb, Steven.

First Half.

Some great pass and move football by the Torpedoes put early pressure on Pinewood with both Brandon and Michael getting good shots on goal and unlucky not to score. Billy and Seb had their hands full in defence, up against two very fast and skilful forwards, but managed well.  Billy combined well with Steven on the left, and another flowing move involving Michael and Brandon led to Steven shooting just wide. Jamie produced a very brave save to stop the Torpedoes going a goal down, diving in where the boots were flying and taking a nasty knock to the ribs. Steven eventually opened the scoring after good approach play from Adriano, Louie and Josh, turning and shooting in one movement to beat the keeper. Pinewood came back at the Torpedoes, but the defence held firm until half time.

Second Half.

The second half started with a warning for the boys as Pinewood smacked the ball against the post. A superb left wing run from Billy ended with a cross shot that came back off the post. Seb, ever alert to the sniff of a goal, followed in to give the boys a two nil lead. Pinewood failed to clear the ball properly from another attack and the ball came out to Josh who fired it back into the roof of the net from outside the area. Adriano was tackling everything, stopping attacks and passing the ball out well to his team-mates. Pinewood got themselves back into the game as the boys committed too many players forward, but time was not on their side. Michael went on a mazy run from defence setting up another shot at goal. Brandon and Louie were having a great day both up front and in defence. Josh epitomised his overall display by appearing from nowhere to clear the ball off the line in the dying seconds.

The man who refs fear the most went beyond the call of duty as he scaled the fence to retrieve the ball from the archery field. Thanks to Pinewood Panthers for a very entertaining game, especially their coach who not only encouraged his team, but very sportingly praised any good play by the Torpedoes as well.

Man of the Match - Josh.

Goals - Steven, Josh, Seb.

Binfield Torpedoes 1 -  2 Binfield Arrows

9.00 kick off.  Saturday 2nd Feb 2008. 

Venue : stubs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Sunny & Cold, pitch frozen.

Attendance - 20.

Another defeat to the Arrows ... but we're getting closer.

Going a goal down in the first minute of the game was not the start the boys needed. An Arrows centre was headed in off the post, while most of the Torpedoes were still "easing" themselves into the game. Torpedoes supporters feared the worst but the boys started to get involved and the passing moves began to flow. The Arrows were always a threat going forward, but the Torpedoes defence was holding out. Midway through the first half a quick one touch passing move ended with Steven through on goal to calmly place the ball in the net for the equaliser. The Torpedoes seemed to be getting up a head of steam and the Arrows were briefly put on the back foot. Early in the second half, when Josh's header came back off the post and down onto the line (but not over) it was going to prove a turning point for the Torpedoes fortunes. Had that goal gone in and the Torpedoes taken the lead who knows what may have happened. In the end a close game was settled as the Arrows right back ventured forward on a blistering run that caused panic in the Torpedoes defence and led to the winning goal. Despite losing, the boys proved they can give the Arrows a good game, what we need is a bit of luck !!  We look forward to our next meeting, as this fixture seems to be a barometer on how well the whole team is improving. Well played both teams.

Cannot end this match report without a special mention for Jamie. Is there a better keeper in the whole of the under 10 league ?? To say he had a great game is an understatement. Six or seven times he produced spectacular and brave saves to deny the Arrows a goal. His kicking and calling for the ball, and his general dominance of the penalty area was fantastic... he did not deserve to be on the losing side. His performance together with that of a defence that seems to be getting the hang of it and the ever reliable Steven and Josh were the highlights of a great match.

Binfield Torpedoes Players : Adriano,  Billy, Brandon, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael,  Seb, Steven.

Goals : - Steven.

Man of the match - Steven.  Ran his socks off for the Torpedoes, scored a great goal..