U8s make a great start to the season

What a great start to the new season, new kit, fantastic facilities, great performance off the boys and a real showing of togetherness on and off the pitch as all the parents were magnificent by contributing so much to the cause.

For most of last season, I have been pushing for the boys to test themselves against tougher teams outside of Worcester by joining a Sunday league and one game doesn't prove I was right or wrong, but without the faith and commitment from the parents, this new adventure wouldn't be possible.

The boys started their new campaign in fantastic fashion, showing great hungar and desire to pin their opponents in for the 1st 10 minutes and with a little more composure and quality at times they could of scored more goals very early on.

I'm not sure I have seen Ethan start a game so focused and determined, his feet were magical at times today and after the boys squandered a few early chances, he showed the composure and quality that was lacking to fire the boys ahead.

It seemed like the floodgates would open as Marcel quickly added a second, but to Billbrook's credit they started to grow into the game and pulled one back just before half time as a little confusion in the back line left Chris's goal with little protection and a free shot from outside the box flew straight into the bottom corner.

Second half the boys were back at it, with Alf having a super 10 minutes scoring four, 1 from another great Marcel corner before showing great feet to dance past a couple of players inside the box to squeeze an effort past the keeper as well as later spotting the keeper out of postion to fire into the net from range.

Billbrook sensing the game was up, pulled one back from a worldie that 2 keepers wouldn't of got near, before adding another 2 that was more due to our lads losing concentration in the transitions and chasing more goals. Marcel not to be out done, got himself on the scoresheet to help the boys finish their 1st Sunday league encounter with an impressive score.

With Bilbrook happy to play a further 20 minutes to allow all the lads more game time, we witnessed 2 worldie goals of our own, 1st from Oscar as he drove down the right before unleashing a fantastic effort that few straight into the top bins, before Logan produced an almost carbon copy, again from the right-hand side before cutting in and leaving the keeper with no chance with another wonder strike. Ethan then came off the bench late on to effectively win the mini game as Bilbrook scored twice again from actions where the boys just didn't put enough pressure on the ball.

Back to league games, back to performance over results (though we want both!!) and today we got both with areas to work on, but with so many positives to take away and build on, the football and combinations were really good, the lads used the space really well, switching play regularly, making great decisions in the final third and the main focus of effort and energy today was really good.

Chris made some smart saves during the game, but his catching from shots and crosses really stood out as well as his quick decision making to get the boys moving quickly on the counter.

Zayne almost scored in the 1st half and worked well for the team as he continues his development from keeper to player, with so much for him to learn in regards postioning and responsibilities he did well again today.

Marcel the serial goal scorer again got on the scoresheet with another double today, but really impressed with his decision making in possession showing he's integrating into the team really well.

Oscar started at the back to give the boys a great platform to build on, communicating superbly with those in front of him and always offering a route to recycle possession, before playing up the field later in the game to drive forward and grab himself a wonder goal.

Logan has had a few tough weeks lately, trying to deal with the pressure of maintaining the high level he set on joining the team, but looked back to his best today, great in the tackle, being calm in possession and showing he has a fantastic strike in the locker with a superb effort late on.

I could, as so often picked any of the lads for man of the match, possibly Logan and Oscar were unlucky not to take the trophy home, but for me the way Ethan started the game more switched on then normal, bringing his dazzling feet to the game and dealing with the disappointment of not playing higher up the field at times, just edged it for me.

Massive thanks to ALL the parents today, what you girls & guys are creating off the field is so fundamental to providing the lads with the right environment for their development.