Junior Results at the Weekend
Northamptonshire under 10 Boys Championships
Our U10 boys team put in two great performances on Sunday, easing past tenacious and dogged Kettering and Long Buckby teams to reach the regional U10 tournament in Nottingham later this year. After a vocal warm-up, and encouraging words from honorary deputy-coach James Kendrick, the team watched Kettering vs Long Buckby to see if they could spot any key players or special tactics for their matches, as well as taking notes on their short-corner routines.
Debuting in goal was Monty Christoe, who showed flashes of natural keeper talent during warm up … but that was about the most action he saw all morning as the Saints defence and midfield kept nearly all attacks at bay!
The first match against Kettering started well, with a midfield of Harry Fidler, Sam Dale and Raffa Scaccia moving the ball around the pitch nicely, and striker Cody Godman using some great dribbling and poaching skills to set up attacks and score. From the back James Barnwell and Angus MacGregor kept the side solid, protecting Monty in goal, and provided some great build up play for the attacks down the left and right flanks. The first goal took a while to be scored, but as the team got used to the space and passed around the opposition, the score began to rise. Great displays from Jack Markham, Harry Street and Matthew Wardell helped Saints to continue to dominate, eventually running out 5-0 winners.
The second game proved more competitive at the start, with some great counter-attacks from Long Buckby before Sam Dale opened the scoring, with others adding from short corners and great attack-minded play. Versatility amongst our players is a great asset, and most were asked to play in at least 2-3 positions through the day which they happily did, and meant most got a chance to play in midfield and defence.
To keep developing as a team – and succeed in more competitive games – we will need to focus on keeping our shape, passing the ball faster and remembering to track back and mark when the opposition are in possession – all things we are working on in training!
Rolling substitutions meant everybody had equal game-time, and the team were a credit to the club. We definitely have a developing pool of talent – good signs for the future and Nottingham!
Northamptonshire under 10 Girls Championships
Northampton U10 girls produced 3 outstanding performances to qualify out of a tough group for the Midlands Championships. The girls showed wonderful togetherness and skill to get past Kettering and Market Harborough and then squeezing past Towcester in a dramatic penalty shoot out.
Goalkeeper Georgia was the hero in the end with a super save to ensure the girls progressed, but it was a fabulous display of unity and teamwork by all the girls.
