2010-03-7 Under 9 Longfield Tigers 0 vs. 3 Northfleet Eagles Red

With only 7 players today it could have been a long, hard morning for those on the pitch knowing they had to play the full 40 minutes without a break, but that didn't seem to faze these boys at all, must be all that fitness work we do in training! Thanks to Ashley and Sam for still turning up to watch though, that shows how committed you are to your team and we wouldn't be in the semi if it wasn't for your efforts in the earlier rounds.

It didn't take long for both sides to get into their game but we seemed that little bit crisper with our passing and had a couple of early chances, Tye, TJ and Ryan H. linking well and working hard for their team. The referee was particularly strong today not allowing any shoving or heavy tackles and there were several free kicks given against both sides. We quickly learnt this but it appeared to upset Longfields strategy a bit and they soon paid the price when one shove too many was inside the area and ref pointed straight to the penalty spot.

Up stepped Ryan H. and I pity any keeper who gets his hand in the way of one of those penalties as, despite getting down to the ball, the power simply went straight through him and on into the back of the net.

Things were going well until Kian took a nasty tackle and had to go off for a while which left us with only 6. Strangely this seemed to make us play with even more passion and despite being a player short we again had the better chances. It takes a tough player with an even tougher character to come back from that type of injury but Kian managed it and continued to play really well which is exactly why he won the managers player of the match this week.

With the first half over and the second under way we continued to pass well and create chances but it was Alfie who found the back of the net when he came up for a corner. Kian hassled the keeper into moving far to close to his front post and Alfie managed to get enough on the ball to exploit the space left behind him and grab himself a space on the score sheet. Well done Alfie!

The goal wasn't Alfie's only highlight today and, along with Zac the defence was outstanding. Really well positioned and strong in every tackle and on the occasion that they were beaten Ryan J. in goal wasn't, pulling of some fine saves especially in that first half, and controlling everything around him really well. That tight first half where Ryan J. was at his best won him the parent's man of the match with some great goalkeeping.

Zac and Alfie also had a hand in our final goal with Zac playing a clever free kick to TJ in space who had the confidence to knock it back to Alfie. Alfie's long ball into the box caused a bit of chaos which TJ jumped on to and smashed it home.

A really good result which sees us into the final and a chance to play for another trophy this season to go along with our victory in the Charity Shield all those months back.