If the ground had been softer we would have had perfect conditions for football today. A lovely sunny day, slight breeze, brilliant atmosphere.

Our first encounter in the U16s knock out cup was not exactly as per plan. As we stood out on the pitch ten minutes before kick off I briefed the boys about sending a message out to all the other teams "that this year we mean business". I said " the game will go one or two ways, a tight score line (maybe 1-0) or a cricket score (maybe 12-0)". I was clearly looking for the cricket score. I suffered from the same over confident attitude that I had suffered last week and should have looked at Chatteris as a greater threat. The score didn’t quite go to plan.

We started strong and then within minutes seem to fade, I asked the boys to relax and relax they did.... maybe just a little too much. Chatteris wanted the win today and that was clear to see as their continuous pressure eventually paid off after 19 minutes with a lovely taken strike. 1 - 0 Chatteris.

The goal woke us up and suddenly we realised that we had a game of football on our hands. Chatteris didn’t sit back and continued with pressure after pressure and the rest of the first half turned from all them to end-to-end stuff. We broke to half time still behind. It was quite a sombre atmosphere at half time with no smiles but our heads were up and the boys were ready, I didn’t need to tell them what was needed. An early goal to bring us level was the plan.

Within 30 seconds of the kick off Chatteris broke the defensive line and had a clear shoot on goal.........it could have been so different but luckily the score line was still 1-0 as their efforts went over the bar.

Again not quite the plan, but the early Chatteris attack woke us up and we suddenly were back in the game, the channels were open and with some brilliant runs from Ozzie, Eamon and Connie we were attacking, a foot wide from Luke, almost there from Shippie, a close corner from Will, James smashing everything that came to his feet.........its got to come and then it did with 20 minutes to play a lovely run from Ozzie and a quick one two with Will and Ozzie was in space, a great weighted ball back to Will and he was one on one with the keeper. I don’t know how he made the angle but a super placed ball saw us even... 1 - 1.

Many people say that a goal changes a game and today, nothing could be closer than the truth. The goal turned the game around. Suddenly the football was all ours, the passing came, the space was created and Chatteris were defending their hearts out. Attack after attack and then Will and Nathan were free, Nathan held back leaving Will to fire home his second.........2 - 1 up.

The score line stayed the same to the end but the level of quality with the football stayed, we could have had another 6 in the last ten minutes with shots left right and centre, everyone was on fire. Fast accurate football, great passing, brilliant attacking and excellent determination to the end.

Another week with some outstanding performance, far to many to single out an individual as man of the match, so this week I'm going to take the advice of the skipper "with so many outstanding efforts it would be wrong to single out one player"................. Luke (the engine) Brookes firing on all cylinders. James solid to the core, desperate to get on the score sheet, be patient the goals will come. Eamon rapidly developing in to a great player, week after week improvement (Well done). Ozzie rapid up the channels and more determination than ever. Ryan (clearly trying to put Louis back on the bench) outstanding running and passing game. Sam, fantastic ball play, perfect placement of passes, a quality game today. Joe and Joe solid across the centre, great game. Connie, his second wind, unbelievable, destroying everyone. Will, just be patient and he will deliver, two quality taken goals changing the whole game. Nathan, outstanding game, turning into a real terrier and so close to the score sheet. Jason (I cant play right back) well you done a good job of proving yourself wrong, exactly what was asked of you and by the way…you can play right back, well done. Louis, solid again rapidly developing in to the reliable centre half, Ryan has got his hands full playing the same position. Tom, relaxed, chilled and at times bored, I don’t think he would have it any other way; it scares the life out of me but brings confidence to the team. And not forgetting the boys who were there today and took no part, Josh, Alex and Matt...your support was fantasic.

Well boys the dream continues, 4 wins from 4, 100% in the league and now 2nd round of the cup.........................Live the dream. 

If the ground had been softer we would have had perfect conditions for football today. A lovely sunny day, slight breeze, brilliant atmosphere.

Our first encounter in the U16s knock out cup was not exactly as per plan. As we stood out on the pitch ten minutes before kick off I briefed the boys about sending a message out to all the other teams "that this year we mean business". I said " the game will go one or two ways, a tight score line (maybe 1-0) or a cricket score (maybe 12-0)". I was clearly looking for the cricket score. I suffered from the same over confident attitude that I had suffered last week and should have looked at Chatteris as a greater threat. The score didn’t quite go to plan.

We started strong and then within minutes seem to fade, I asked the boys to relax and relax they did.... maybe just a little too much. Chatteris wanted the win today and that was clear to see as their continuous pressure eventually paid off after 19 minutes with a lovely taken strike. 1 - 0 Chatteris.

The goal woke us up and suddenly we realised that we had a game of football on our hands. Chatteris didn’t sit back and continued with pressure after pressure and the rest of the first half turned from all them to end-to-end stuff. We broke to half time still behind. It was quite a sombre atmosphere at half time with no smiles but our heads were up and the boys were ready, I didn’t need to tell them what was needed. An early goal to bring us level was the plan.

Within 30 seconds of the kick off Chatteris broke the defensive line and had a clear shoot on goal.........it could have been so different but luckily the score line was still 1-0 as their efforts went over the bar.

Again not quite the plan, but the early Chatteris attack woke us up and we suddenly were back in the game, the channel were open and with some brilliant runs from Ozzie, Eamon and Connie we were attacking, a foot wide from Luke, almost there from Shippie, a close corner from Will, James smashing everything that came to his feet.........its got to come and then it did with 20 minutes to play a lovely run from Ozzie and a quick one two with Will and Ozzie was in space, a great weighted ball back to Will and he was one on one with the keeper. I don’t know how he made the angle but a super placed ball saw us even 1 - 1.

Many people say that a goal changes a game and today, nothing could be closer than the truth. The goal turned the game around. Suddenly the football was all ours, the passing came, the space was created and Chatteris were defending their hearts out. Attack after attack and then Will and Nathan were free, Nathan held back leaving Will to fire home his second.........2 - 1 up.

The score line stayed the same to the end but football stayed, we could have had another 6 in the last ten minutes with shots left right and centre, everyone was on fire. Fast accurate football, great passing, brilliant attacking and excellent determination to the end.

Another week with some outstanding performance, far to many to single out an individual man of the match so this week I'm going to take the advice of the skipper "with so many outstanding efforts it would be wrong to single out one player"................. Luke (the engine) Brookes firing on all cylinders. James solid to the core, desperate to get on the score sheet, be patient the goals will come. Eamon rapidly developing in to a great player, week after week improvement (Well done). Ozzie rapid up the channels and more determination than ever. Ryan (clearly trying to put Louis back on the bench) outstanding running and passing game. Sam, fantastic ball play, perfect placement of passes, a quality game today. Joe and Joe solid across the centre, great game. Connie, his second wind, unbelievable, destroying everyone. Will, just be patient and he will deliver, two quality taken goals changing the whole game. Nathan, outstanding game, turning into a real terrier and so close to the score sheet. Jason (I cant play right back) well you done a good job of proving yourself wrong, exactly what was asked of you and by the way…you can play right back, well done. Louis, solid again rapidly developing in to the reliable centre half, Ryan has got his hands full playing the same position. Tom, relaxed, chilled and at times bored, I don’t think he would have it any other way; it scares the life out of me but brings confidence to the team. 

Well boys the dream continues, 4 wins from 4, 100% in the league and now 2nd round of the cup.........................Live the dream.