Reminder – in accordance with FA rules we do not publish the results of teams participating in U7 to U11 games. We celebrate effort, teamwork and participation in the younger teams.
Sapphires
Sapphires played division 1side Newport Pagnell in the League Plate Final on Wednesday evening, it was a very entertaining game that could have gone either way. Unfortunately for Sapphires Newport we’re more clinical in front of goal, despite Sapphires creating some great chances and going close. Final score was 2-0 to Newport , congratulations to Newport👏🏻.
Sapphires have had a great season, finishing runners up in Division 2 and runners up in the Plate, they are a great bunch of girls who have worked hard to get to where they are and I’m very proud of all of them.
Crystals
U18 Crystals travelled to Woburn for a friendly, with just 10 available players.Woburn took the lead when some unfortunate goalkeeping allowed the Woburn attacker to nip in and roll into an empty net. Crystals soon equalised, Ella Barber playing Madi Sharp through in goal who finished brilliantly. Crystals went in at half time 3-2 ahead, with Rozalia Zycinska adding two more for Crystals in a half controlled by them.
The lead was extended when Megan Pugh scored a fine solo goal to make it 4-2, before Woburn were awarded a soft penalty when the attacker seemed to trip whilst under pressure, which was converted to make it 4-3.Rozalia added two more (her 3rd and 4th of the game) to extend the lead to 6-3. Woburn rallied in the last few minutes and reduced the deficit to 6-5, but Crystals held on to win a match where the scoreline was closer than it should’ve been having largely dominated.
Player of the match was Ella Barber. Woburn play their final league match next week, if they win, they will win the league, should they fail to, then Crystals will be u18 Div 2 Champions.
Lions
A new look Lions (soon to be Orange) took on a very good Emerson Valley team that had at one stage last season look like they were going to win their league having a long unbeaten run, eventually finishing 3rd but only losing 3 games all season. City had 6 trailist kit up for this one and started bright taking the lead early on after a slid through ball from Aidan found Theo running through 1 on 1 and he opened his body well to pass the ball home first time past the on rushing keeper.
With a brand new back line in place we knew it was going to be difficult and we were losing a little bit of shape as the first half progressed. This proved to be costly as Valley struck twice in quick succession, one from the spot after a dubious challenge. Just as the first half was coming to an end we made a couple of changes and started to push valley back and earned a spot kick of our own after new trialist Olli was taken down.
Up stepped our penalty expert Benji to slot home. 2-2Almost straight from the restart Valley retook the lead after Aidan’s clearance went high but not far and found a Valley player in space that struck it on the half volley and it sailed over Lukas into the top corner- absolute worldie. At half time we tried to settle the boys down as everything was a bit rushed and discussed our defensive shape. The boys listened well and went out and took control of the game, moving the ball across the pitch a lot better, making the pitch big when we had possession and closing spaces when we lost it. There were chances created for Olli, Trivon and Theo that they know the should have finished before new trialist Hayden slotted home left footed from inside the 6 yard box after a good move down the right.
Hayden had another really good chance shortly after that that the Valley keeper smothered well as he went through 1 on 1.The heat was playing it’s part and the last 10 were a little scrappy and Valley scored again against the run of play. The score line wasn’t important today. Today was about giving new faces a run and beginning to develop a more possession based philosophy and the boys really did take their chance well. Areas to work on but looking good for the step up into under 18’s next season
Magpies
Magpies ended the season with an emphatic 14-3 win over Harrold & Carlton Bentleys. Reflecting on this season, we’ll be disappointed that we aren’t being promoted but we’ll be better for this experience next season.
Goals came thick and fast from all the usual suspects, and it was good to see goals not only from the front pairing but also from our offensive midfield players.
Tharshan got 4 goals, which he may have been saving up all season for! Zeph did a splendid job captaining the side as usual, and also notching up 4 goals as well. Harry did his usual magic in midfield, and grabbed a couple of goals in the process. Liam F also grabbed a brace of goals for himself, with one goal of the weekend contender for sure- showing great control in bringing the ball down and hitting a sweet volley. Olly and Dylan both weighed in with a goal each.
This win effectively put us into a joint 4th finishing position in the league table, seemingly 5th on alphabetical order! It was disappointing to have both Olney Town Colts Hawks and Deanshanger Colts leapfrog us late on in the table. We also should’ve done more to intervene with the Moretonville Junior Tornadoes/ AFC Oakley Jaguars 2 horse race at the top but we go again next season!
We will be a team reborn, like a Phoenix from the flames in season 2022/23, so everyone had better watch out!