U16s VS Bookham

The U16s hosted Bookham on Sunday and the focus for this game was maturity and decision making. In the training sessions leading up to the game we had done a lot of work on decision making (particularly in the final third) and getting the lads to use their brains as well as their feet. We already know that they can play but we really wanted them to show their maturity and make better decisions on and off the ball.

Lining up in a 4-2-3-1, Dylan Lawrance dropped to Right Back & Nathan Coles switched from Right to Left Back (Luca Montemarano-Lockie was unfortunately absent due to illness). Playing in unfamiliar roles or on a “weaker” side would be a good test for both of these lads but neither looked phased.

Right from kick-off the Abbey boys were at it, knocking the ball around nicely and getting their heads up to choose the right pass or option. Alfie Bennet and Ethan Austin controlled the center of the pitch well, with both lads looking to break up the play and feed the attackers. Jamie Smith (Forward) was working hard across the front line, pressing from the top and causing Bookham real issues from the outset. Jamies fast start was probably his best start all season and his efforts were rewarded on 19 minutes when he scored with a tidy finish into the bottom corner – Alfie Bennett with the assist.

A minute or so later and Charlie Izzard replaced Ethan Austin at Center Mid. Charlie picked up where Ethan left off; making energetic runs, nicking the ball back and putting on a really solid show. The chances continued to come with 3 or 4 falling to Jamie who was really unlucky not to tuck them away and have a hatrick before half time. Ben Hall, Dawid and Sammy were all working incredibly hard behind Jamie and some of the play between from those lads was great to watch – really impressive stuff.

At half time the teams came in with Abbey 1-0 up but it could easily have been 3 or 4. With that in mind we told the boys to keep on doing what they had been as a second goal would kill the game and see us take all 3 points. We needed to be wary though – Bookham are well organised and if they caught us on the break all of our hard work would’ve been for nothing.

As soon as the second half started Bookham looked more composed, retaining the ball well and moving it around quickly. However, that was short lived and on 42 minutes some lovely 1 touch football between Alfie, Dawid, Sammy & Jamie saw us play right through the Bookham lines and score an outstanding team goal to double our lead. That was without doubt our best ‘Team’ goal of the season and was a solid testament to the hard work that the boys had been putting in at training.

Despite being 2 goals down Bookham never gave up. Jack, Josh, Dylan & Nathan had to be alert at the back, with all 4 making great tackles, intercepting the ball, winning headers and tracking the Bookham runners as they tried to get in behind. Great positioning from Mikey Verga meant that he was always on hand to collect any through-balls that slipped past the back 4. Ben Hall was also putting on a real show and the Bookham defenders couldn’t live with him….if he wasn’t driving at them and causing panic, he was stepping across smartly to win the ball or draw a foul. Really clever play from a talented player.

With 1 minute left the Stetner brothers combined sweetly for the final goal of the game - Sammy setting up Dawid with a lovely pass before Dawid finished nicely to make it 3-0. Both brothers had been outstanding all game and it was great to see the lads with huge smiles at the end.

The U16s go into the Christmas break in third place in the league but with 3 points due for a "walkover" that should see us go joint first.

MOTM: Ben Hall. Worked incredibly hard and is a real handful for anyone on his day. Unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions but there’s no doubt that the goals will come – especially on the back of this performance.