2016-2017 season

Since September 2016, the under 9’s have made massive progress. So much so, they were moved up to the next league after a few months. Initially this proved quite challenging however, they all stepped up their game and started to see some wins.
Chris, the coaches and all the parents are so proud of the boys efforts and achievements and hope to see the lads moving forward in the under 10’s!! 😀

Following last years’lack of game time,2016-17 was our first “proper full season” as a group, having time to prepare as a squad pre-season. We had a fabulous start to the campaign and after the first 6 games we found ourselves top of the league and massively confident, the football was flowing and the goals were going in readily for us. Then came the 27th November! With a bare bones 11 players and a make shift defence we travelled to Cuddington. We played fantastic football for 50 minutes of the game and were leading 1-0 but we conceded a goal against the run of play, our heads dropped, tiredness kicked in with no subs and we gave in losing the game 5-1.That single game had terrible consequences and really shattered the team’s confidence and belief. The following 5 games we suffered badly with a depleted squad through injury, illness, hospitalization, family visits and holidays. We never had more than 12 players in this period for any game.

As coaches we decided to concentrate on this, playing our practice games very much attack vs defence. Encouraging penetrating runs down the flanks and more importantly utilizing through passes onto our pacey wingers. We also had a conundrum with Dominic who was low on confidence and was finding the strikers role more difficult. For me Jayden was our most natural striker but we were being forced into playing him in midfield because of the lack of natural tacklers in the team.
BUT then came the revelation that has been Harry Glover! I’d been wanting him to play out from very early on in the season and had asked his mum about this but he wanted to be a goalie!! For me “H” was never a goalie. In training we kept playing him outfield and he was unstoppable fierce in the tackle and excellent work rate, just what the team needed. For me this was the key move, I believe, which allowed the team to find a better balance and to really kick on. It allowed us to put Jayden up front in his best position and gave us bite and work rate where the team most needed it in the centre.

Harry’s first full game proved the point where he scored 2 goals and Jayden scored 2! From that moment we knew we had found the attacking combination we needed which was provided by a good balanced midfield. We also swapped our most technically gifted player, Barty, to right back where he has excelled, becoming a set piece master and stabilizing our defensive right side. Chris Gray also found a settled run at left back and can now play happily left back, centre back or defensive midfield using his vision to great effect. Mack has settled into defensive midfield well and is rock solid. Dominic has played the last few matches at left back but in a more attacking role. We have all seen just how terrific he has been in these games and now he too has found a position that really suits him.

After making these changes our performances improved immediately. In the last 9 games we have lost only once, in a game where we had far more possession and chances than our opponents. Our team were unbeaten in the last third of the season winning 6 out of the last 9 games. Fantastic form, we’re now coming back from a goal or 2 down and turning games around, which is something we’ve never done. This has been a truly outstanding achievement and a credit to all of the boys. To put it into context, if we had won the 3 games we drew, games where we were dominant but just missed our chances plus the game we lost against Holmes Chapel Blue where we actually deserved the win, then our team would have finished 2nd which gives me so much confidence and hope for next year. We beat all of the top teams apart from Winsford Diamonds who we had to play with 10 men!
Jake has been outstanding all year, he has worked on his 2 weaknesses. Coming out to claim the ball and kicking, now he’s an absolute superstar! I can’t kick the ball as far as him these days! Jack has showed enormous improvement this year, I’m so pleased with Jack. Great skill and now is starting to battle hard, something he previously struggled with. Next year should be a great year for Jack. Daniel is Mr. dependable, he has played in every position this year he’s terrific, great energy just gets on with whatever we ask him to do, another great little player. Ben Stubbs made a great start to the season but then struggled with form and confidence but the last few games he’s rediscovered himself and is back! I love wingers and in this team we have the best 2 in the league!! Bobs and Lewis just awesome both of them.

Next season should be amazing for this team, 2 or 3 new players are coming in all of whom will strengthen the unit and help us win that title next season!

A tough season but the lads never once gave up. Some cracking fixtures at Sandbach amongst others but looking forward to another season stabilising the defence and putting the ball in the net with greater regularity.

This season will be remembered for the number of goals scored, the team spirit and the overall improvement of the skill of the players. We played ALL our league matches which is in itself an achievement and we lost quite a few games where it is 1-0 or 2-1 2-2 etc …all these results if we could of improved would of meant our league position would of left is in the top of half of the league and not the bottom. We were also denied wins on two occasions by poor referee decisions we can’t change this though and we live to fight another day. We actual won more games than any other season – however, with teams dropping out of the league we have point taken off us… as we had played and won against these teams! However every team member played incredibly well and players improved all over the squad! The squad have been a delight to watch playing…with some excellent displays of passing and organisation. We scored more goals than we have ever done in this league, we won more games, we stuck together as squad and worked for each other.

Next season will be all about mental strength and not letting matches slip through our fingers…But as a manager it has been a real joy and privilege to manage such an fantastic bunch of lads!

Ultimate Player of The Season Awards
1st Nathan Barry
2nd Jonathan Goodwin
3rd Adam Frost

Awards
Players Player – Charlie Wilson
Supporters Player – Freddie Leyland
Managers Player – Jimmy Edwards
Coaches Award – Aaron Cook
Sportsmans Award – Christian Arnold
Golden Boot – Tommy Brooks
TOFTT – Ryan Sandbach and Max Hughes