Match Reports
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Madison Slashers
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U-12 Boys Travel Rec.
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Fall 2000
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One thing to remember. As a recreational (rec.) team we try to abide by the unwritten
rule that if we do not try to win bymore than 5 goals. If we start to dominate a team by 4 goals we will take a
player off the field to make it 10 versus 11 and continue to take players off with every goal we score. This will
be particularly tough to manage substitutions with already upto 7 players waiting their turn before taking any
extra players out of the game. |
17th September, League, Home versus Guilford 3 (Royal Blue), Win 5-0
We started the game with seven substitutes. The plan was to make wholesale changes every 13-15 minutes, meaning
most players would only play 50% of the game, unfortunately. We tried to give Jun Tsujii a little more playing
time because he is returning to Japan after our second or third game. Sam Connor and Bubba Ackley deserved a little
more playing time owing to their stints in goal in the first and second halves, respectively. Dan Lane played more
than 50% owing to his experience at playing in the centre of defence, a very specialised position. With so many
substitutes, the players were warned that if they were not pulling their weight on the field during their turn
at playing they would have seven players begging me to replace them.
The game started out tentatively as both teams tested each other out. The pace quickened with each passing moment
until our first lot of substitutions. Then the second shift also started tentatively while they found their feet.
So, when the first shift returned after some 30 minutes gone there was a lot more urgency about the game. Both
teams tested each others' defences and both had close efforts. In the dying moment of the first half, however,
Madison Slashers had the Guilford defence beat but the slow, bouncing shot from Cullen Murphy was only just cleared
off the line. The Madison players were sure it was in the goal, but the referee waved play on. The half ended 0-0,
but at least it was on a confident, high note for the Slashers.
At half-time, the coaches tried an old trick after some coersion from the Slashers. The players wanted ice cream
if they scored. After some bargaining, the coaches agreed to buy ice creams if they scored four goals. The game
looked like it would end 0-0, 1-0, or 1-1. Four goals seemed unreasonable at the time.
The second shift of players started the second half and they were hungry and determined after sitting out most
of the first half -- plus, the prospect of ice cream helped, I am sure! After about 5 minutes Gregg Rittchen finally
whipped in a shot to beat the Guilford goalkeeper and the Slashers were ahead. The Guilford heads dropped a bit
as Madison came back looking for more. One of the Slashers was brought down in the penalty area (sorry, I didn't
see who). Incredulously the referee didn't call it, but the ball broke loose in front of the Guilford goal. Just
as a Madison player was about to score THEN did the referee decide to blow for the penalty. Amazing. It
was as if the referee didn't want us to score. First choice and second choice penalty takers Christian MacDonald
and Andrew Archer, respectively, were substitutes at the time, so Coach Archer called for Drew Matthews to take
the spot kick. We knew Drew had a strong kick and sure enough his shot was blasted into the top of the net giving
the goalkeeper no chance. After 15 minutes the first shift came on eager to score some goals as well now. As Guilford
struggled to get over the half-way line Jun Tsujii and Andrew Archer each scored to make it 4-0. Jun's goal was
actually from his corner kick and the Guilford goalkeeper fumbled the ball over the line. Jun was rampant, he had
three more shots whistling in, two just by the post and the other actually hit the post and bounced back into play.
After 30 minutes the final set of substitutions was made. We left Jun on only to give him more playing time but
he scored again with incredible ease. We took him off the field immediately to avoid him embarrassing Guilford
any further. We played the last several minutes down to 10 men, but the damage was already done.
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
Well, the ice cream trick certainly worked! We tried this two seasons ago and it worked like a charm then too.
It was amazing how differently the team played in the second half, but I don't think the ice cream was the only
factor! Owing to the number of substitutes we have and how we performed substitutions this time, the second shift
of players only saw 15 minutes of action in the first half. They were more than eager to play in the second half
and I am convinced this more than anything contributed to their dominance at the beginning of the second half.
Plus, the second goal -- the penalty kick -- effectively killed off a very spirited Guilford team until then. They
seemed to realise they couldn't come back. The third goal demoralised them and after that they looked a very tired
bunch. They had three substitutes, but our greater numbers meant our players were always fresher. I still cannot
take away a tremendous effort by all of the players though. Every single one of the 18 made important contributions. |
24th September, League, Away versus Guilford 1 (Grey), Win 10-2
After a stunning success against a very good Guilford team last week, the confidence was carried over into this
game. The Madison Slashers were missing four players this week, but that only helped to ease the coach's considerable
substitution problems, having only three players to bring on, not seven. It also meant that every single player
got at least two-thirds of the game playing time, instead of just half, like last week.
This weekend was also marked statewide as "Silent Saturday" and "Silent Sunday." This meant
that both parents and coaches were not allowed to shout instructions to their players. The idea was to let the
players just play and do for themselves rather than be continuously pounded with sometimes conflicting directions
from all sides.
Today was Jun Tsujii's last game for the team owing to his father's recall back home to Japan. The plan was to
give Jun as much playing time as possible. Coach Archer was hoping he'd score at least a hat-trick (3 goals) to
give him a good sending away present from the team. It took only 12 minutes for the Slashers to take a 2-0 lead,
and both were scored by Jun! Jun did complete his hat-trick later in the second half and also had another goal
disallowed for offside.
After Jun's initial blitzkrieg further goals from Andrew Archer and Andrew Napier gave Madison Slashers a comfortable
4-0 lead at half-time. In that time, Sam Connor in goal saved a penalty kick after Christian MacDonald fouled a
Guilford player in the penalty box. The score was 3-0 to the Slashers at the time and it proved to be an important
save. After the fourth goal, however, Coach Archer took off a player reducing the Slashers to 10 men for the last
5 minutes of the half.
The second half saw the Slashers start with 10 men. Andrew Archer went into goal. Guilford Greys were inspired
to press forward more and they did score, albeit a bit lucky. A slow, low shot saw the ball squirm through the
'keepers' hands and legs and dribble slowly over the line into the goal. With that, Coach Archer restored the Slashers
to a full compliment of 11. Soon after, however, Andrew Napier scored again to make it 5-1. So, Coach Archer brought
off another player to take the Slashers back to 10 men again! As if on cue, Guilford found space in Madison's defence
and beat the 'keeper charging off his line to narrow the angle. At 5-2, Coach Archer put his 11th man back on again!
Of course, Madison, rampant in attack now, scored again to make it 6-2. So, the coach reduced the Slashers back
to 10 men again for the third time!
Guilford, demoralised and without substitutes leaked further goals. When it was 7-2, Coach Archer took off another
player and now it was 9 v 11. But Madison goals continue to pour in. Coach Archer didn't make another reduction
when it was 8-2, but he reduced his team down to 8 men when it was 9-2. Andrew Napier scored the last goal of the
day to make it 10-2 with about 8 minutes left. Coach Archer was contemplating who else to take off to make it 7
v 11 when the referee blew the final whistle with still something like 6 minutes remaining on the Coach's watch.
It was probably just as well, for as Coach Stimpson said, it looked more like the Slashers were going to score
next rather than Guilford.
The day ended with Andrew Napier scoring four goals and Drew Matthews, Andrew Archer and Cullen Murphy all getting
one. More importantly today, however, Jun Tsujii finished his career at Madison Youth Soccer Club with a well-deserved
hat-trick. Domo arigato (thank you very much), Jun!
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
Well, today demonstrated the awesome power of confidence. Most of the players feel they can score at least once
per game. While a couple of players who regularly play forward are not suited to more defensive duties, I do mean
to play as many different players in attack as much as I can. We seem to be very heavy on midfielders and very
lean on proper defenders though and this is a problem when I have to balance the team. At least in midfield a player
has some opportunities to attack. Defenders can also join an attack, and I encourage it, but at this level they
are very slow to get back to fulfill their main duty when opponents make a breakaway. As long as we keep scoring
goals like this though, we can afford a few defensive slip-ups here or there and I am not worried about that as
much as if we did the same thing in a close game.
The trouble with confidence, however, is that it soon develops into over-confidence. I have seen good starts to
seasons before and then things have turned against us. So, Coach Stimpson and I will be trying to guard against
the players acting like they have won before we have kicked off. We will attempt to instill good technique and
positioning as much as ever rather than let the team think they can play any way they want just because of two
lop-sided wins.
Our biggest question now will be how much we will miss Jun. There is no question that he was a major plus in both
of our games so far. I believe, however, we still have a lot of firepower. We will miss Jun, but I still think
we are capable of scoring lots of goals. |
1st October, League, Away versus Guilford 6 (Kelly Green), Win 4-2
This was going to be our first game without Jun Tsujii who has returned back home to Japan by now. Seamus Stimpson
also could not play owing to a fractured wrist. It might keep him out for a week or two at least. At least he showed
up to support his team-mates. Rain has limited numbers at one practice and caused cancellation of another practice
in the last two weeks too. So, it was going to be interesting to see how the team would react and perform.
Guilford started off with only 10 men, so we also had to start with 10. Madison Slashers already had 5 available
subs, now it was 6. After 15 minutes or so, another Guilford player showed up, so we could go back to 11 men also
and back to 5 subs.
The Slashers started out well and before too long it was 2-0 with great goals from Gregg Rittchen and Andrew Napier.
Guilford started to fight back, however, using their biggest and fastest player in attack. He would eventually
get past the Slashers' static defence pushed up too far and find himself in alone on Sam Connor, the Slashers'
goalkeeper. He gave Sam little chance and it was suddenly 2-1. It was the first time this season any team had come
back against the Slashers to make it a close game. The Slashers responded well and increased pressure on the Guilford
defence. It paid off and Andrew Napier scored his second goal to give the Slashers a 3-1 lead. No further goals
were scored, however, and 3-1 was how it stayed at half-time.
In the second half, Ben Ackley volunteered to be goalkeeper. Ben found himself under a lot of pressure as the Guilford
team pressed forward. Ben and his defence held strong, but they were unfortunately beaten by a cruel deflection
that Ben couldn't reach. It was 3-2 now and the game was very much in the balance. Again, this seemed to spur the
Slashers on and this time Drew Matthews scored to restore the Slashers' two goal cushion. The action was back and
forth at both ends now with close misses for both teams. Ben even saved a Guilford penalty given for a foul, albeit
poorly taken, but it was a crucial and important save to keep the score at 4-2. Madison Slashers were unable to
increase their lead, but they played strong all over the pitch to earn another well-deserved victory against a
very determined Guilford side.
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
4-2, after the last two games, is almost a disappointing score for this team and proves how quickly we have come
to expect a lot of goals from them. They have certainly displayed their potential for scoring goals. There is no
doubt in my mind, however, that we missed Jun for his goalscoring. I am sure he would have ended up with two or
three today. I also think the Slashers didn't take their shots more quickly and the extra second or two trying
to get closer to goal cost them some good goalscoring chances. I have to constantly remind them that if you don't
shoot you don't score.
On a squad as big as this it is extremely tough to give everyone more than 50% playing time. It is even tougher
to give them all chances at playing forward when they ask me. At least from midfield they should be able to make
forward runs (and there is no reason why a defender could not too). The defenders are seeing the most playing time
because (a) the centre-backs are specialised positions and not too many are good enough to play them and (b) we
don't have too many "natural" defenders. Dan Lane and Paul Colebaugh are the only ones who love playing
defence. Dan loves the centre and Paul loves the left, so they get a lot of playing time there. Sam Connor is a
senior player on the team. He loves to play goal, so he gets the first half in the nets. In the second half I like
to play him in the centre of defence with Dan. He is very strong there and gets us out of trouble a lot. Christian
MacDonald is another senior player on the team. Owing to his strength and ball-winning ability I like to start
him in the centre of defence while Sam is in goal and then put him in the centre of midfield in the second half.
So, because of their seniority and specialisations these four players see more time than all of the others. We
play with two forwards, so four players share those positions. Unfortunately, this means that when we have full
turnouts the forwards will only see 50% playing time. It is nothing to do with how good or bad they are. Actually,
they are all very good players and I wished I could find more time for them. If they were good defenders they would
definitely see more playing time. We are loaded with midfield-type players. That is one reason we have four playing
in the game so that I can rotate as many through there as I can. For anyone who needs more playing time I can only
find time in defence for them. The whole problem is exacerbated when we start to win by 4 goals or more and I pull
players off to give the other team a bit more of a chance. Ironically, while I am struggling with too many players
all of the Guilford teams seem to be struggling with not enough! At times it favours us because our players are
always fresh, but it can favour the Guilford teams if they are playing with a consistent and settled team most
of the time.
We have gotten off to a good start with three victories out of three. I have seen good starts lose momentum very
quickly before though, so I'm expecting our bubble to burst any game now. We play Guilford Royal Blue next, the
team we started the season against. They were quite strong for much of that game and I expect they will be looking
for revenge this time around. So expect a very tough match. We shall certainly have to be at our best. |
7th October, League, Away versus Guilford 3 (Royal Blue), Lost 1-2
As predicted in the previous report, we finally lost one. Madison Slashers were playing the same team that we beat
5-0 in the first game of the season. They were a good team then, but just seemed to fall apart at the end of the
second half. Therefore Coach Archer expected a tough game again.
As luck would have it, Guilford only had nine players to start. The Slashers had 13 which would have been the normal
11 with "only" two substitutes. Two subs is much more managable than the five or six we normally get.
With Guilford only having nine players, however, we were required to start with only nine as well, meaning we were
back up to four subs. The Guilford coach and Coach Archer agreed that to give the Slashers more playing time, we
could loan them two players. This is always a tough thing to ask players of any age, to play for the other team.
We gave them two good players too, Stephen Ferreira and Cullen Murphy. Guilford expected one more player, "a
travel player who hasn't played for us before." This meant a comp. travel player. Apparently he wasn't getting
enough playing time on his own team. Too good for rec., then, but not good enough for comp.!
The game got under way, 11 versus 11 with no subs. The Slashers seemed to be struggling. They were playing well
below their own standards. After about 15 minutes, the comp. Guilford player showed up. We got Cullen Murphy back
and we were back to having a sub again. Stephen Ferreira continued to play on the other team. I felt really bad
for him. I could tell he wasn't into it. When he got the ball he was just kicking it anywhere. When he was in attack
his shots weren't going anywhere near goal. Guilford's comp. player was turning out to be their best player and
he was making things very difficult for the Slashers.
It was 0-0 at half-time and we took Stephen back. I was looking for other volunteers to play for Guilford but I
couldn't convince anybody. I went to tell the Guilford coach and he understood completely. I could tell he didn't
think Stephen was any help to him at all. So, Guilford would start the second half with 10 players and the Slashers
started with 10 and three subs.
The Slashers were not getting many shots on goal and Guilford were getting plenty. It was amazing, then, when Andrew
Archer's speculative shot hit the back of the net to give the Slashers a 1-0 lead about one third of the way into
the half. Guilford continue to wear the Slashers down. The Slashers defence kept giving the ball away and the Slashers
attack was virtually ineffective with barely a handful of chances the entire game. Guilford eventually were rewarded
for their efforts with two goals which ultimately gave them the win.
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
It was bound to happen sooner or later. A team that wins all its games at the start of the season starts to get
lackadaisical and lazy. Today our effort was well below average but it wasn't any one or two players, it was the
whole team. The business of trying to be fair to Guilford by starting with the same number of players and giving
them players probably disrupted the Slashers' psyche. The Guilford comp. player was also a major influence on the
game. He was definitely their best player by far. But, ultimately, when the defence got sloppy just kicking the
ball anywhere -- usually to the other team -- and the forwards always insisted on taking the ball a step too far,
this all contributed to our downfall too. Coach Archer wants to work on these facets in up-coming practices. |
8th October, League, Away versus Guilford 4 (Red), Win 4-1
After a loss, it is always important to do well in the next game or else you start a streak that seems to go on
forever. To be honest, the Slashers didn't improve a great deal from last week's display. There were still some
sloppy defence and the attack still tended to run too much with the ball. Today, the Guilford team had just 11
players. The Slashers had 11 and three substitutes. The Guilford teams seem to have problems getting their players
to come out and play!
The Slashers took a first half lead after a brilliant goal by Gregg Rittchen who found space in the Guilford penalty
area and then neatly planted his shot into the far corner. But, all credit to the Guilford Reds, they fought back
and got a goal to make it 1-1 at half-time.
It was 1-1 for a very long time in the second half before tiredness started to set in on the Guilford team. The
Slashers slowly took control, scoring three goals in the final 10 minutes, turning a close game into a rout. Andrew
Archer, Gessi Giarratana and Cullen Murphy were the second half goal scorers.
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
We didn't play great today, but good enough to put away a defiant Guilford Reds team. But, it was probably down
to us having subs and them not since they visibly tired near the end. Our subs are always fresh and eager to go
back into the game and they usually make a difference when they do.
The talking point in this game was near the end after a Guilford player became injured. It was alleged that one
of the Slashers made a comment about the injured player and one of the three Guilford coaches lost his temper and
began swearing at a couple the Slashers. When Coach Archer was informed of this I stormed down the touchline to
confront said coach. I laid into him quite loudly because I wanted all the parents across the pitch to hear what
he had done. My goal was to make him feel as small as possible. When the Guilford coach attempted to make a comeback
and, who knows, start a fist fight, I was not going to defend myself because I knew he would essentially be destroying
himself. After the game, to his credit, the Guilford coach apologised to the two Slasher boys he swore at and to
me. It still did not make it right, however, and it causes me great concern that there are coaches out there who
routinely treat youth players as if they were adults. Yes, youth players are not alway angels, but there are better
ways to address mistakes that young people make, especially in a sporting environment. After the game, I sat down
with the team for five minutes to talk about sportsmanship. I reminded them that all players, opponents included,
are all part of the brotherhood of players. We must treat each with respect. We may find present opponents to be
our teammates in the future. |
14th October, League, Away versus Guilford 5 (Gold), Win 4-3
We didn't know it before the game, but Guilford Gold were unbeaten until today. I recognised a couple of their
players, they were excellent in previous games I have seen them in. Once again our opponents were short of players.
Today, they had 10 players to start. The Slashers had 14, so we had to agree to starting with 10 and have four
substitutes. Also, the other team want to play quarters to ensure their team got a break. Coach Archer agreed to
this request.
The Slashers played much better today than in the past two games. They were probably raising their game because
this was a better team than most we had met this autumn. This game was going end-to-end, with goalscoring opportunities
all the time. It must have been very exciting for the parents to watch! Guilford were the first to score, but before
half-time, Andrew Napier got one back for the Slashers. 1-1 at half-time.
In the second half, it was much of the same stuff. Again, Guilford took the lead to make it 2-1, but again Andrew
Napier pulled one back, 2-2. Guilford took the lead again and this time Gregg Rittchen scored the equiliser, 3-3.
As the game neared completion, Christian MacDonald received a pass in his own half out near the left touchline.
He proceeded to take the ball all the way down the left wing down into the corner and crossed the ball over. Andrew
Napier met it perfectly in the six-yard area and poked the ball home to give the Slashers the lead for the first
time in the game. It was enough, as the Slashers held on to win 4-3 and hand Guilford Gold their first loss!
Despite Andrew Napier recovering his goalscoring form to score a hat-trick, Coach Archer recognised the extremely
valuable contribution of Bubba Ackley in goal today and made him man of the match. Although Bubba was beaten three
times he saved the team's bacon on numerous occasions with some great, and at times, brave goalkeeping.
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
This was a much improved performance today. The defending was exceptional because the players weren't just kicking
the ball away in a panic. They were actually taking their time to look around before passing or clearing. Stephen
Haigh was exceptional in the centre of defence. Dan Lane played his best game in defence tooday in the three seasons
I have coached him. In midfield and attack we went back to being more aggressive and less greedy. The passing and
shooting was much better and this contributed to us winning the game. We had far more shots on goal today than
in the past two games put together. |
21st October, League, Away versus Guilford 2 (Dark Green), Win 8-2
Another Guilford team turned out with just 11 players. Having said that, the Slashers only had 13 today. We badly
missed Sam Connor for the second consecutive game through injury.
The final score is very deceptive. This was a relatively close game until near the end. It was only 2-0 at half
time. Guilford pulled one back to make it 2-1 in the second half. The Slashers responded with two goals to take
it to 4-1, but then Guiford were awarded with a penalty which they converted to make it 4-2 with still plenty of
time on the clock. But, once again, as we have seen in recent weeks, the lack of substitutes to replace tired players
began to tell on our opponents in the final stages of the game. The Slashers were using the wings to full effect
and the Guilford team were being run ragged. Shots were pouring in on the Guilford goal from all angles and distances
and they started to go in.
As the score progressed beyond a four goal advantage Coach Archer took a player off and reshuffled the team so
that forwards and defenders were switched.
Coach Archer's Postmatch Thoughts:
The Slashers were rampant today, but Andrew Napier was deadly, scoring five goals. That's eight goals in his past
two games! Even at this level this is truly exceptional. Another satisfying thing about today's game was the usage
of the wings. In midweek practice we had concentrated on wing play and today some of the players used what they
had learnt in practice to devastating effect. It isn't the winning of games that give coaches their most satisfying
moments, it is seeing the lessons they have worked hard to teach actually being applied successfully in real games.
As a winger in my own youth, I find it extraordinary that other players and teams do not use this small strip of
the pitch to its full advantage. In practice, to get the usefulness of the wings across to the players, I called
them "the highways to goal." Several players appear to have latched onto this concept. It was amazing
how easy they found a clear route to goal by going down the wings instead of the preferred shorter way, down the
centre of the pitch -- where the opponents lie in wait! |
29th October, League, Home versus Guilford 1 (Grey), Draw 2-2
It was the last game of the season and hopes of winning this game were particularly high owing to our playing at
home versus a team we had beaten 10-2 earlier in the season. So, in the end, the result was a bit disappointing.
Weather-wise, the game was extraordinary. It started out as a very cold, grey Sunday afternoon, and then just
as the game was about to get underway some very small flakes of snow began to fall. Gently at first. Then they
started to get bigger and come down faster! At first the ground was too warm to see it settle, but as the first
half went on and the wind started to pick up the snow began to settle and accumulate! Of course, it was only a
dusting, but very surprising, none-the-less. In all the years I have coached, I think this is the first youth
game I have coached when it snowed. In all my years of playing, I have played in the snow -- and much deeper than
this -- many times, particularly at home in England where the outdoor season is August through May! All of this
snow was the highlight of Andrew Napier's day -- born and bred in Florida and just moved up to Connecticut this
year, he had never seen snow before! For the second half of the last half, however, the snow stopped and the sun
broke out. The snow quickly thawed and you would never had known we'd had a 30-minute snow squall in the middle
of our game!
I am sure the weather played its part in this match. The Slashers just didn't show the energy they had played
with all fall. It was cold and the wind and snow affected them psychologically a bit as well. Guilford Greys
did well to hold the Slashers to a draw, coming from 2-0 down, but it wasn't like they had picked up their game,
the Slashers had drastically dropped there's, particularly in the second half.
Madison were kicking uphill in the first half, but immediately set upon their visitors. Greg Rittchen and Andrew
Archer both notched a goal to put the Slashers 2-0 up. It was about now that the snow flakes started to get a
little bigger! So, the Slashers gradually took their foot off the pedal. They began to play down to Guilford
Grey's level and suddenly the Guilford team sensed their chance. They earned a first half goal to make the 2-1
half-time score respectable. In the second half, even kicking downhill, the Slashers never really got going and
Guilford Greys actually looked the better team. They deserved their equilising goal and that's the way the game
ended, at 2-2.
Coach Archer's Postmatch and Postseason Thoughts:
It was a FANTASTIC season and turned out much better than I had expected. To play Guilford teams all season
long -- mostly on their fields -- and come away with a 6-1-1 record is a major accomplishment.
I fully admit I was a bit mad at the players in the second half of the last game. It was so frustrating to watch
them play as they did in their last game knowning how much better they can play. I was a bit unfair because I
imagine the weather turned them off playing as well as they could. They were probably just eager to get it over
with and get home and get warm again!
I also admit I was disappointed that in the end, we could have come away with an 8-0-0 record. Our one loss was
2-1 to a team that we had beaten 5-0 on the first day of the season. Our one draw was a 2-2 run of the mill affair
on a bitterly cold day against a team we beaten 10-2 earlier in the season. Oh, if only!
Still, for a travel rec team of this age group it is not all about records and results, but performance and I have
to say, I was very proud of their overall performance this season. We had our ups and downs, but it was mostly
ups.
The best part for me as a coach was to see players improve over the course of the few weeks we had together.
It is so great to see some of them finally "get it." We were awesome in defence, midfield and attack.
We scored 38 glorious goals and conceded only 14 in just 8 games. For games of this nature, that is a brilliant
record.
It is a shame that we lost Jun Tsujii after only two games when he returned home to Japan with his parents. Jun
scored 5 goals in his two games -- and that still made him joint-second top goalscorer! Imagine what his
record would have been if he'd played all 8 games! Andrew Napier was top goalscorer with a brilliant haul of 14
goals. I am quite confident that Jun would have easily topped that -- and we would have gone on to an 8-0-0 record!
Of course, we must never forget our goalkeepers, particularly Ben "Bubba" Ackley who played in the net
for 9 out of 16 halves of soccer. Ben was excellent for all of his games in goal. Sam Conner (4 halves), Andrew
Archer (2) and Christian MacDonald (1) were our other brave souls in goal this season.
I hope to see you all again in the near future. It was a privilege coaching you all. |