Brooklyn 'v' Tad Albion U10s (13th September)

'A' Team Match Reports

Brooklyn 0 – 3 Tadcaster Albion
Squad: Ethan, George, Jack, James K, James O, Saul, Scott
Scorers: Jack (2), James O

It was a long haul over to Norton for Tadcaster Albion’s first away game of the season against newly promoted side Brooklyn.
The Albion played the first half up the 1 in 4 gradient, but despite the obvious disadvantage they looked the better side from the start. Scott and George were rock solid at the back to such an extent that Saul had very little to do in the first period. The midfield pairing of Ethan and James worked extremely hard; as did Jack and ‘t other James up front. It wasn’t all graft though; at times Taddy played some fantastic football. None more so than when a swift attack encompassing 5 or 6 passes took them ¾ of the length of the pitch and very nearly brought the break through. As it was though, the half ended goal-less and with Taddy looking forward to playing down The Hahnenkamm in the second half.
The optimism was well founded as sustained pressure from Taddy was rewarded with the opening goal – James O scoring from the narrowest of angles (was there a hole in the side of the net James?). Taddy couldn’t capitalize though and from midway through the half (or what should have been midway – see later for details) the home side had their best period and put Tadcaster under a fair bit of pressure. Full credit Taddy though for staying strong and determined to hang on to their lead. Having played 18 minutes (of a scheduled 15 minutes) the ref announced that there would be an additional 5 minutes play !?@*@!?! Things could have got ugly, had it not been for 2 superb nails in the coffin from Jack - just reward for consistently chasing and harrying the defence. Eventually the ref did blow the whistle to relief and smiles all round (from us) and nobody please mention the timekeeping !
Great result and fully deserved. Many thanks for Saul and James O for stepping in and getting stuck in.
Man of the Match: Jack – Never gave the defence a minute and was rewarded eventually with 2 goals.

2nd Game report
Brooklyn 0 – 5 Tadcaster Albion
Squad: George, Jack, James K, Matthew, Sam, Saul, Scott
Scorers: George, James K, Scott (3)

Once again, the side showed their versatility by running out comfortable winners despite everybody playing out of their normal positions. Scott led the line superbly with a fine hat-rick – of which his first (a thunderous strike in off the post) was the goal of the day. James K ran the defence ragged in the second half and was rewarded with a goal. And the scoring was rounded off when finally, halleluiah, praise be, get in my son … George stuck the ball in the onion bag - their onion bag (‘cos it doesn’t count when he sticks it in ours!).
Superb performance. Well done to Matthew, Sam and Saul for stepping in to the team and helping out.
Man of the Match: Scott – If you score a hat-trick and don’t get man of the match there must be something wrong. Well done. (If we could clone him and have 1 Scott at the back and 1 Scott up front we would be awesome. Not in midfield though, ‘cos he’s rubbish in midfield.)

TA Blues 0 - TAJFC 4 (U12's)

This seasons' first local derby took place at the Ings today when Tad Albion Blues played host to TAJFC. There was a palpable "dentist waiting room" feeling in the air, as the schoolmates and classmates met under a grey sky. Starting line-up for TAJFC was John, Ollie W, Adam, Sam, Hazza, Joel, Matty, Paul, Josh J, Joe and Hamish

Play was equally matched (and equally nervous) for the first 10 mins until Joel managed to put one past the Blues rock-solid defence. Many chances came from both sides with Hazza, Sam, Ollie W and Adam working very hard at the final third of the pitch. Matty, Paul, Hamish, Josh J and Joe tried to position the ball but were frequently thwarted by tight marking from Nick D's lads. Joel had a further breakthrough bringing the score to 2-0 at half time when he passed his Captain's armband to Hazza and was substituted by Ollie P. George swapped places with Ollie W who had had a fine half.

TAJFC had more chances in the second half and could have increased their margin quicker if not for some top quality goalkeeping from the Blues' Jay D. A few excellent corners from Hamish resulted in a superb goal from Josh J. Paul H made way for Joel to return to play in the last 8 mins and the win was capped with his hat-trick.

A really great all-around performance - and a difficult choice for Man Of The Match........; In the end the parents agreed that both Hamish "flying scotsman" and Sam "bites yer legs" should both be awarded. Upwards and onwards - and in the words of our SuperKeeper's Dad "Happy Days".

Training as normal next week.