Boys' U15B v Manchester GS

Date: Tuesday 24th November

Venue: Repton

Home. 2.15pm kick-off on Hall Close.

Team: Wrinch(c), Morris, Bacon, Garland, Davis, Hardcastle, Moss, Huggins, Sentance, Haysey, Waters, Carver, Frost, Goodhead

Result: L7-0

Match Report:

Another drubbing but, unlike the Twycross defeat, the team played on with fine character, battling for every ball to the end and still threatening the MGS penalty area.  With key players in the A team missing through injury the Bs were slightly depleted as a consequence and, disappointingly, Morris was not fit and had to come off at half time, to be replaced by key centre back, Bacon.  Hardcastle and Moss, however, played on bravely with damaged knees!

To be honest Repton were doing well for the first twenty minutes, despite some excellent pass-and-move play from MGS.  Then a lucky strike from just inside the box went in at the top corner, then another goal and, unfortunately, just before half time, a silly penalty for a handball conceded amidst a scrappy tussle.

Repton did not give up and 3-0 down at half time was not a disaster.  I was particularly pleased that silliness had not set in and heads did not drop.  We were strong in tackles and challenges right to the end but all too often once we lost the ball we were chasing the game.  The boys did get into the opposition's penalty area on many occasions but there was - as there has been before, regrettably - a lack of sharpness in front of goal, despite the best efforts of Hardcastle and Sentance.  At the back, as always, Wrinch and Garland were absolute stalwarts and Davis had another good game, slotting in at right back.  Waters worked really hard in midfield and earned himself the 'man of the match' award for his endeavour and for his tremendous attitude.

So, yes, the scoreline is embarrassing, again, but I know that the boys learned a great deal about the strength of character required to deal with such a defeat.  In the Premiership, the boys would be dipping into their pocket money to pay back the two dads who watched, and their dog, but this is a school, and learning things is what it is all about.

JCS