August

The start of a new season and the challenge of "Premier (A) League" football for the boys and looking at the league formation, there could be some tasty games ahead!!!
Despite players on their summer hols, we managed to arrange a couple of pre-season friendlies.
Firstly we took on a Norwich City U11 Academy side at their superb training center. After taking a 2-1 lead through an Ollie penalty and a Max 'Power' free kick we held the hosts 2-2 at the interval. We eventually went down 2-5 and on an excellent surface the 'Canaries' showed us how to pass the ball around and proved a little too strong for us in the end. Great afternoon though and a big thanks to NCFC for the kind invite.
Our 2nd warm up was to be against a Arbury Aces side and we comfortably ran out 5-1 winners...Cameron leading the way with a brace.

September

So let the battles commence, and they did with a tough opener away at Priory Parkside A. An awful start saw us a goal down within a minute and to be honest we never recovered. A scorching drive from Dan D was little consolation as three first half goals from the St Neots based side proved too much for us to claw back, and a home win was never really in doubt.
Up next was another 20 mile journey this time to our friends at Haverhill. Unfortunately an influx of players leaving the 'Rovers' for various reasons have left them at a rebuilding stage. We started brightly with a goal in 30 secs and Joe added his 2nd on 10 mins to give us a commanding lead. The Reds reduced the deficit early in the second half but Francis was rarely troubled, and three more goals including a spectacular shot (CROSS)? from Charlie clinched our first 3 pts of the season.
So with a win on board, confidence was high and we ended the month with the visit of previously unbeaten Newmarket Town. Dylan finished superbly early on and we continued to dominate without converting any more of our numerous chances. Then 'Bang' a thirty yard missile in the top corner whistled past Francis and going into the 2nd period it was game on again. Two great strikes from Dan D and Cameron were just rewards for a hardworking performance against a team that are unlikely to taste defeat too often this season.

October

Two games and two good victories for October. A brace for Isaiah led the way for 4-0 home win over Ely Crusaders, with Daniel D and Cameron completing the scoring.
A superb opening 30 minutes at Priory (B) saw us race into a 5-0 interval lead. Some clinical finishing with Charlies probably the pick of the bunch, matched by a strong team effort throughout the side saw us totally dominate the first half. Credit to the Priory boys who re-grouped well and were rewarded for a fine 2nd half display with a strike from the penalty spot.

November

November began with two visits across the Essex border to Saffron Walden Town. The first encounter played out in atrocious conditions saw us come away with a 7-3 success with Lee amongst the goalscorers with his first of the season.
We returned the following week to find a much warmer climate and also a far more determined Walden side who were found to be a much tougher outfit to break down. A fast and furious start to the game from both sides was fitting for this 2nd Round League Cup tie. Only when a Max double before the break, we were able to pull away. Dylsy also netted and Big Jim rounded things off with a well taken spot kick and we recorded a 6-0 win.
A re-arranged fixture with Haverhill Rovers was to provide us with a stern test as we returned to league action. A fine goal from Rovers impressive 'Billy the Kid' saw us go in at the break a goal down aginst an ever improving Reds. An unusual lackluster display from 'Terriers' in the first half brought an equally unusual half-time team talk (including a certain pair of pink gloves being missiled towards the hedge), and against our totally committed visitors would make for an interesting 2nd period. One or two changes of players and positions saw us back on level terms with 15 mins to go, with our own 'Ollie the Kiddy' netting from close range. Chances came and went, but 3 good finishes from Cameron 2 and Isaiah gave us a 4-1 win our 2nd half performance deserved.

December

The festive season full of black boots, santa hats and 'Pink Gloves'!!!!
December kicked off with our first ever league meeting with Bar Hill. Early morning rain gave way to bright sunshine and a gusty breeze. We made use of the conditions with 2 goals from Cam' and but for the woodwork on 3 occassions could have led by a greater margin at the break. Two early strikes from the boys from Bar Hill squared things up and with 15 mins to go a suprise result was on the cards. The small 'subbuteo' pitch wasn't in our favour, but Cameron completed his treble and a first of the season from Tom sparked a pink glove celebration and a 4-2 win. Superb effort from Bar Hill in giving us our hardest game of the season to date.
Next an early xmas treat for the Coaches and Parents as the team produced an excellent performance at home to Priory Parkside A. The only team to beat us this season (on the opening day) we hit four without reply to record our 9th win on the bounce. Two well taken goals from Dan D set us on our way, whilst our defensive unit continue to look stronger game by game.
Unfortunately our final hurdle of the year at Newmarket where the going was 'white' fell to the weather.
Finally congratulations to Niall who picked up the first 'Pink Glove' award v Bar Hill. A header on goal that went backwards and a volley that clipped the corner flag made him a worthy winner.

January

Three games to report on this month (well 2.5 actually). After racing into a two goal lead inside 25 mins our visitors Saffron Walden decided the pitch was unplayable and enough was enough......The game was abadoned and enough said too!!!
Then our first defeat since the opening day of the season, as Godmanchester booked themselves a place in the League Cup Semi Final with a 3-2 success on our own patch. Twice we came from behind, but after failing to convert several chances we conceded a killer goal in the last minute of extra time. A pulsating cup tie played in an excellent spirit between two good sides and superbly refereed. Sweet revenge perhaps for 'Goddy' who last season were too knocked out the Cup by ourselves when deserving better......What goes round, comes around. Anyway a good insight to what the future 2 league meetings could provide. Well done both sets of players.
Our final game in the deepest fen (well it was the route i took) saw us straight back to winning ways with a 5-0 win at Ramsey. On the longest pitch i've ever seen, and one of the narrowest, a heavy surface and small goals the boys did very well to produce some superb football and record a straight 10th league win.

February

As the big freeze continued only two fixtures were completed this month. Sawston were our visitors to the Rec' and proved to be a hard nut to crack. An even contest saw a goaless 1st half with play difficult on a bobbly pitch. Only Charlie's long range effort with 15 mins to go finally saw the deadlock broken. Isaiah doubled the lead two mins from time to wrap things up and give us an edgy 2-0 win.
Next a Valentines Day trip to Godmanchester, where there was to be no love lost in a competetive clash between the top two. Dan D's strike midway through the first half was soon cancelled out and with chances going begging at both ends the first period finished all square. Unfortunately after the break we lost our way and failed to create a single worthwhile effort on goal. The hosts upped their game and began to over-run us in all areas of the pitch. Three times the woodwork came to our rescue and the only real suprise was that it took until 3 minutes from time for Goddy to find the winner. Outfought, Outfootballed = Outplayed and a disappointing way to end our winning 11 game streak.....

Fantastic run though boys...Well Done.

MARCH

March and march on we did with 3 good wins. After the previous game was abandoned, Saffron Walden returned with a much improved side and a difficult side to break down. Eventually goals from Will', Charlie and Cameron saw us through 3-0.
Sandwiched in between was as always a tricky test at Sawston. A brace from Isaiah put us firmly in control though a late, late strike from the hosts gave us cause for concern.
Our final game saw us host Bar Hill. Finally after 25 mins we managed to break through the resillient defence of the 10 man visitors. Incredibly in the 5 mins leading up to the break we struck 3 more times to go in at 4-0 to the good. Four more 2nd half goals resulted in an 8-0 win and took us into a big month in April.

April

Aprill showers? Well we rained in a few goals in our final 4 games of the season. The big showdown with 'Goddy' had an explosive opening with 3 goals in the opening 10 minutes. A superb first half display with strikes from Charlie, Isaiah, and Ollie saw us take a 3-1 lead and by restricting the visitors to a couple of 2nd half efforts we comfortably swung the title race back in our favour.
Three wins were required from the remaining games and a tuesday night 5-1 win over Priory Parkside B set us up nicely for what was to prove one of our toughest games of the season at Newmarket Town. Max gave us a shortlived lead and there were only 8 mins left on the clock, when Niall cooly slotted home a clear cut penalty. A year and a day ago we hosted Ely Crusaders and clinched the U11 League Title. So ironically this time we travelled to the Fens again knowing that a win would record our third successive title. We didn't have it all our own way against the hardworking home side. However 2 goals before the break eased the nerves and the 2nd half saw us produce some excellent football to lead us to a 6-1 win and even a goal from Alfie!!. Fantastic celebrations at the end and all a result of the hardwork this group of lads have put in during the season. Can't praise the boys enough but also a big thanks to the parents who have given the team great support throughout the campaign and have helped the matchdays go smoothly with the tea bar, linesman duties, taking nets down etc.
And finally one last thankyou to the very few parents from other teams that took time out during the year to tell me "That we had no chance of winning the league this year"
What a fantastic incentive that was.....enjoy the summer and see you next year!!!!!

Our record including friendlies for the Mini League days are:
U7 - P10 W7 D1 L2.....Pos N/A
U8 - P22 W19 D1 L2.....Pos 1st
U9 - P24 W10 D5 L9.....Pos 7th
U10 - P30 W22 D2 L6.....Pos 1st
U11 - P26 W21 D1 L4 ....Pos 1st

Total - P112 W79 D10 L23 (I'm not counting all the goals up!!!!!)