U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report 18th February 2007 Tigers v Hambro Tigers A cool Sunday morning saw a slightly changed starting line up in order to blood the full squad and try people in different positions. The game started off pretty evenly with each side probing each other’s goal. An excellent pass No 5 resulted in the opening goal. 1 – 0. An excellent shot from No 5 was saved by the Hambro keeper. Hambro then started to get closer to the Ekco goal with the defence at sixes and sevens. A reckless tackle gave the Hambro team a penalty and they calmly evened the score to 1 – 1. A further effort by the Hambro team put the Ekco defence under lots of pressure and they converted it to another goal. 1 – 2. Hambro were ecstatic but Ekco were now in uncharted territory, never really having been behind in a game before. Ekco then started to roll their sleeves up and buckle down to some pressure of the Hambro defence, with No 9 just missing the chance of levelling the score. A long run against the play from the Hambro forwards added further to Ekco’s woes putting the visitors 1 – 3 up. The crowd were shell shocked but with further encouragement the team then started to play with several efforts from No 7 and No 6 going wide or saved from a spirited keeper before No 7 pulled one back to 2 - 3. With the time ticking away, a free kick was awarded just outside the Hambro box and the chance to level the score was there for No 7. A great shot just went wide and the chance was lost. In the last few seconds another shot was aimed at the Hambro net but a super save kept the ball out of the net and recorded Ekco’s first lost game. A few tears and an important lesson for all the boys. You have to know what it is like to loss to be able to win! Full Time – Ekco 2 Hambro 3. |
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U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report 4th February 2007 Tigers v Ashingdon Tigers A new experience for the boys playing against a team, which included a girl. Not that it makes any difference and she was a useful player. The weather again was pleasant being sunny but cool and the pitch was in an excellent state given the time of year. The opening minutes showed increasing maturity as the boys were running, passing and moving with No 6 and No 7 both shooting wide to show Ashingdon that we again meant business. Some great play between the midfield and the defenders showed that any team wishing to beat Tigers have to get passed a solid No 2 and No 3 with No 6 sweeping up any mistakes. As a result Ashingdon didn’t get close. A shot from No 6 was saved brilliantly by the Ashingdon keeper and another shot wide by an inspired No 7 after a well worked move by Tigers allowed Ashingdon to hold on. Before half time, both No 8 and No 6 had long shots saved by the keeper and No 8 again from close range saw the keeper have a wonderful game. Half time 0 – 0. The second half saw the same tempo as the first with tigers dominating the play with No 8 again going close. No 9 almost scored but the keeper fumbled for No 6 to slot the ball home. 1 - 0. The second biggest crowd of the season saw No 8, desperate to get on the score sheet, produce another great shot that was saved by the keeper. Noticeably more use of the head this game not only in thinking what to do with the ball but also heading was encouraging to see. A great cross from No 8 and a shot from No 6 again forced a great save from the Ashingdon keeper who really had a fantastic game. A great display! Final score Ekco Tigers 1, Ashingdon Tigers 0 |
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U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report 7th January 2007 Tigers v Southend Manor Tigers The first game of the New Year was greeted by excitement and a determination to continue where we left off in 2006. A wet pitch and windy and overcast day meant the ball would have to do the work with passing and movement the game to play. Tigers started enthusiastically with everyone wanting a touch of the ball and as a result the ball moved little from the centre circle. To break the stalemate, No 6 tried a long short, which was fumbled by their keeper and that important first goal settled the nerves. More passing and linked play was then apparent with No 6 slotting the ball through for No 9 to score in the open goal. A very good team goal, which the boys should think carefully about developing. Just before half time No 6 again tried a long free kick (bent like Beckham) which shaved the post and went in. Half Time Ekco 3, Southend Manor 0 The second half saw a revitalised Manor pull one back and both teams started to pass the ball about. The Manor pressure was relentless for a while but the boys held up until another long shot from Ekco was parried away and a further shot hit the Manor post. Final score Ekco Tigers 3 Southend Manor Tigers 1. |
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U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report 17th December 2006 Ekco Tigers v Concorde Tigers With the last match of 2006 upon us the game with Concorde was critical in order to maintain their unbeaten record for the first half of the season. A win seemed even more optimistic as Ekco struggled to get a full team and it asked much of these 6-7 year olds, two of who were playing on their birthday. The opening minutes were frantic with both teams trying to get to grips with the sticky surface and low sun. Ekco were the first to get on top with a fantastic run from the halfway line from No 7 to score the important first goal. A great individual effort, 1 – 0. A few minutes later No 7 again broke through to almost add to his first only to see the ball go wide. What did he have for breakfast? Further pressure from Ekco was seen by No 6 shooting high only for the keeper to push it onto the bar. Great save! Half Time Ekco 1 – Concorde 0. The second half saw continued Ekco pressure with Concorde struggling to get the ball from constant battling from all the Ekco players. Another great shot by No 6 was again saved by the Concorde keeper who was keeping Concorde in the game – just! In the dieing minutes, Concorde managed probably their first and only attack of the Ekco goal. A bit of complacent Ekco defending saw a foul committed and a penalty was given to give Concorde the chance of a draw. With the sun beaming into the Ekco keepers eyes, the Concorde striker placed the ball onto the penalty spot. The crowd, usually vocal, went quiet. The striker began his first few steps towards the goal and the odds were against Ekco. The ball was struck, the keeper dived and the ball went straight into his arms – WOW! What a save and in such a crucial period of the game. What a Hero! Final Score Ekco Tigers 1, Concorde Tigers 0. And so ends the first half of the season with statistics of; Played 5 Won 5 Lost 0 Drawn 0 For 14 Against 1 Well Done Everyone and Keep it Up! |
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U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report 19th November 2006 Tigers v Rayleigh Boys Tigers After three wins out of three games it was inevitable sooner or later that Tigers would come up against a team with a similar unbeaten pedigree. And so, on another sunny Sunday morning the battle of the Tigers commenced! The opening salvo’s came from Rayleigh with many runs towards the Ekco goalmouth that were cut out by a solid midfield and defence. Tigers were not used to this sort of pressure but held up well. Slowly during the half, the attacks from Ekco became more prominent and an excellent free kick shaved the Rayleigh post. Further attacks by Rayleigh resulted in an agonising goal line scramble that was lucky not to go into the Ekco Tigers net. Half Time 0 – 0. The second half produced more pressure from both teams with each going close. The skills being developed are noticeable as is the very spirited tackling - right from the ‘Chopper’ Harris textbook. An unusual drop ball situation close to the Rayleigh penalty area, saw a lovely looped ball from No 6 fly past the post to earn a hard fought win. Final Score Ekco Tigers 1 - Rayleigh Boys Tigers 0 |
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U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report Tigers v Forest Glade Another beautiful day saw Tigers take on Forest Glade who were intimidating with their tall keeper and centre forward. The early play was pretty even with good linking play from both teams and the difference in only a few weeks is noted with the boys now starting to use their brains as well as their brawn. With such even play the team getting the all important first goal was always going to get the edge and this came after a good corner from the Yellows No 6 which was buried over the keepers head by the Tigers the No 3 defender. Who says defenders never score? Just before half time further pressure from Tigers was rewarded by a scrappy goal from the dogged No 10. They all count! Half Time, Tigers 2 Forest Glade 0. The second half saw a roaring Tigers who put great pressure on the opposite blues with Tigers No 10 extending the lead further. Good, continued passing to each other, especially from Tigers midfield was rewarded with a penalty, which the No 6 buried into the Forest Glade net. Further attacks saw Tigers No 10 score another to make it 5 and the team in blue went home feeling it. No fireworks this week with disciplined play and the moulding of a team with fire in their bellies. Bring it on! Final score Ekco Tigers 5 Forest Glade 0. |
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U 6 -7 Inclusive - Match Report Tigers v Catholic United
Tigers monopolised most of the game and could have scored more. The game was characterised by some well thought out strong passing particularly from No 6. There was some spirited fighting for the ball at times even amongst our own players who entertained the rather large crowd when fighting broke out because two players were desperate to get on the score sheet from a penalty. It is however, this enthusiasm and dogged determination from the boys that has ensured two wins and if this spirit can be harnessed then I predict a riot, not amongst ourselves next time but against the opposition. Keep it up boys.
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U 6-7 Inclusive - Match Report 8th October 2006 Tigers v Hawkwell
Wow! What a great start to the season for Eko’s youngest team. For some of these 6 year olds this was their first competitive match, which certainly brought a tear to my eye! Not the same for Hawkwell who were football veterans having played three previous matches. Both teams played some great football in the first half passing the ball well and sticking to positions. Quite hard for excited six year olds. Most of the early pressure came from Tigers, which was rewarded just before half time by a free kick, which was chipped high into the Hawkwell net. Half time 1 – 0. During the break the Hawkwell support were heard to say, "They’re a hard team" – You bet! Tigers came out all guns blazing and the goals that were threatened in the first half started to materialise. 2 – 0, 3 – 0. Tigers then took their eye off the ball and Hawkwell deservedly got a consolation goal but not before Tigers hit the woodwork twice and their keeper making a magnificent save. Final score Tigers 3, Hawkwell 1. |