Hitchin Town Youth Football Club
An FA Charter Standard Development Club
Hitchin Youth U13s vs Stevenage Reds
Sunday, November 26 2006
What a difference a week makes and some superb football by the boys. Those training sessions are beginning to pay off.
It was a quick game but it had enough time in it for the boys to think what they were going to do next. There was structure in the back three, communication in the top two, and mid field had time to place the ball forward. That was the ideal team tactics anyway, but the long and the short of it was, they played very well indeed.
It wasn't long before the Stevenage Reds were on their back foot protecting their goal. Between Ben and Tom K they terrorised the defence into many mistakes and the Hitchin boys were clearly the fastest on the pitch. Eventually the goal came from a lovely ball from midfield, Ollie setting up Ben, and he rarely misses, it was perfect, right foot to the top right hand corner, more of a lob than a shot, but it was like it was in slow motion, dropping from high to the far post and just nipping in the post, 1-0 Hitchin.
Celebrations starts with a demo after goal 1, then, they all joined in for the second...
The weather was closing in; earlier before the game it was torrential, and it looked like the heavens were going to open once more, but half time beat that and boys had time to reflect and take on their own water. The plan, I assume, was to play like they had in the first half and push forward as often as possible.
The rain stayed away only for a short while longer and then it started, parents scattering for shelter, brollies going up and my Camera back in its box. 5 mins later the Sun was shining and the players were growing in confidence. Mickey in the right back position, supported by Sam D, was having a great game, body in, foot in and the ball was away down the field. There was some very positive play and strong passes to fellow defenders for clearance. Dale too had an excellent game getting more than his fair share of the ball, but and it's a big BUT he must commit on the tackling. Billy, another good player, when he's switched on, he too was getting a lot of possession and switching the play accordingly.
Harry too, had been in the right places at the right time, to thwart any attempt on goal, so some good positional play by our Keeper. James not so prominent in this game nor Ryan, but the game was played down the left side and rarely crossed over. The only player not mentioned is Tom P who in his wisdom was attacking anything and everything. He's our throw-in expert with a good arm. Watch those extra yards Tom!
It appeared Stevenage Reds hadn't jelled and Hitchin were the superior side. This was proven correct as Ben did a one two with Ollie down the left side and again planted the ball in the top right hand side. By this time the boys had perfected a new celebration dance, I believe it started at the other end by Ben, who has clearly been watching far too much Childrens television, namely the Wiggles.
Time was ticking on and where we thought there was 5 mins to go the whistle blow and Hitchin had won their third consecutive game. Hitchin 2-0.
Men of the Match went to Ben M 
and Dale E