A big thank-you and congratulations to the year 5 and 6 boys who played against Gwladys Street in today’s game. After a cancelled game yesterday, the boys were desperate to play in spite of the torrential rain through the afternoon… the match was confirmed as on thanks to a last minute phone call and we were good to go!

The 10-a-side game started out with teams playing defensively and little space being offered. Striker Dylan O’Brien had an early attempt go just over the bar before a stinging low effort from Gwladys Street was miraculously saved by keeper Kamil Skop (playing in cycling gloves as he’d forgotten his goalie gloves). Eventually after several attempts our attack broke through for “defensive midfielder” Jake Jones to score a close-range finish to make it 1-0! Jake must have been pleased with his positioning as his celebration consisted of him shouting “yay, goalhanging!” as he ran back towards his own half.

Very shortly after OLI made it 2-0 thanks to a top corner finish from just inside the box from Joe McFarlane-Wells (our newly appointed captain). A brilliant finish with his weaker foot! It wasn’t long before Jake Jones took a break from arguing with his dad on the touchline to grab a second and make it 3-0 to OLI just before half-time with another close-range effort from a Billy Smith corner.

The boys knew not to be complacent as shortly into the second half Gwladys Street pieced together an excellent attack to slide a goal in for 3-1. Some teams may have began to place blame but the boys kept their heads up and scored a goal of their own merely seconds later! Another close-range effort from attacker Zac Abbou providing his first ever OLI goal, we know it won’t be his last! Some excellent defending and clearances from Ruben McNeil, Jonny Gee and Daniel Smith kept our opponents from scoring again.

Shortly afterwards the game ended 4-1. A fantastic start to the season with the boys playing with the right tactics and right attitude. Special congratulations go to our debut players, with Ryan Lennon, Jonny Gee, Daniel Smith an Dylan O’Brien making their first appearances for the team, they did their school proud!

Man Of The Match: Jake Jones, for tireless work in defence and attack, scoring two goals and playing with excellent attitude and sportsmanship.