Saturday 8th March KO 10:20AM at Willen Pavilion

Halse United U14s first game of the busy month they will experience was played on a warm dry pitch.

Minute Silence: #1Minute4Poppy
Before the game, it was agreed that a minute silence will be taken place before the fixture for the #1Minute4Poppy movement in which all Milton Keynes teams and oppositions did this weekend. A devastating and tragic situation in which Poppy's (10) life was taken too soon with the football world and more in mourning. Both sets of players, coaches and parents were very respectful and conducted themselves well following the minute silence. Rest in peace Poppy!

Kick Off: 10:20
And after the minute silence, we are underway! A big game at both ends of the table as Willen U14 Warriors need to rack up some points if they want to get promoted this season while Halse United U14s are trying to catch the teams above them as they have multiple games in hand over the rest in which they are using at the moment. One thing was immediately clear before the game, it was a very tight and small pitch in which a long ball over the top from the defensive line would reach the oppositions goal. This strategy is likely going to be the most common yet effective with the pitch going to be in favour of the hosts due to it being a pitch they would have played on many times. The strategy that would best deal with this was used immediately from the black and white, passing around looking for an opening. As the game progressed, many things came to light of how the opposition would shape up, the attackers of Halse United U14s had the very hard challenge of getting past five defenders and a compact midfield tracking back and helping out. In the first 20 minutes, no side had a real clear-cut chance with the visitors waiting for an opening and the opposition only launching the ball forward that was either met by a defensive header from the midfield of Monk and Mcdonald, a defensive header away from the backline, or straight into Johns gloves when overhit. A start which sees the black and white in more control than Willen U14 Warriors.

Shot: Willen U14 Warriors 0 - 0 Halse United U14s
In the 25th minute, the first chance and the first shot of the game came to Halse United U14s top scorer Ward with his flash shot going just over the bar. The play has been all from the visitors at this stage and this was the first opportunity where the black and white’s offence was able to break through and get a chance. Still the same tactics from the opposition of sitting back defensively and waiting to get a long ball forward to the striker.

Goal: Willen U14 Warriors 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
The tactic has worked with the long ball going forward and marginally bouncing over the defender's head for the striker to run onto. After a pace race, the ball, which is still bouncing from the pass, is met by the striker who finishes well into the bottom right-hand corner. Unlucky as the ball was quite unpredictable and John also got close to it but couldn't get down to his left in time. However, what is impressive is that the back four of Elmer, Stokes, Masson and Mitchell hadn't conceded in 100 minutes of football! It does show how difficult it is to get past them and how much they have improved as a unit from the start of the season. 9 minutes left to go of the half.

Shot: Willen U14 Warriors 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
A reply that has nearly cancelled out the goal a minute earlier! Halse United U14s catch the back five asleep and break through with ease and the ball fell to Ward awkwardly with his side foot just going wide of the goal. It was a difficult opportunity but the forward did well to get something on it. The play to get the ball to him was also clever and intelligent.

Half Time: Willen U14 Warriors 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
And the whistle goes and the half ends with the visitors trailing. Another first half performance where Halse United U14s are not out of the fight with the difference between the sides being one goal. Not many chances for either side apart from the opener and the two shots from Ward. The black and whites attack and midfield still waiting to pounce on any mistake from the backline which could see a threat in the oppositions box. The defence of Halse United U14s are still doing their jobs holding and stopping the fast Willen U14 Warriors front three from getting more chances at goal. Quick drinks break and words from the coaches needed and after that, another 35 minutes to be played.

Start Of Second Half: Willen U14 Warriors 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
And the referee starts the stop watch again for another half of football! Halse United U14s have three substitutes available for this match and all three will be introduced! Snelgrove, Cafe and Greasby have switched with Mitchell, Monk and Elmer after their hard work and efforts on all aspects of their game. Cafe featured last match in goal and even got a clean sheet while Greasby and Snelgrove return to action! Cafe comes into the middle while the defenders go straight into the vacant full back position. Similarly to the start of the game, both teams attempted to get a hold on to the game and the flow of possession was won back with Halse United U14s while Willen U14 Warriors continued their annoying tactics which looked to be frustrating the black and white players.

Shot: Willen U14 Warriors 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
The first shot of the half came halfway through the second half on minute 53. It was brilliant individual play from Mcdonald dribbling with close control past the sat back midfield line and before getting to the defensive line, fires a curling effort into the bottom left but was saved by the diving goalkeeper. Probably the closest Halse United U14s have come this match and it was all made from the playmaker with 9 goal contributions this season! Willen U14 Warriors definitely getting nervous as they continue to create more space in their half as the game goes on due to tiredness and lack of awareness at times.

Goal: Willen U14 Warriors 2 - 0 Halse United U14s
The hosts double the lead from another ball through the air which found the striker running 1v1 with John who saves the shot brilliantly by making himself look big but the ball fell to the Willen U14 Warrior's players team mate to finish into an empty net. The initial save from John is everything you want from a keeper in that situation, looking tall and firm to make it harder for the striker! Unfortunately, the strike was powerful enough to come off the keeper and fall anywhere which coincidentally went straight to the path of a player in red. Around 15 minutes to go in this contest which is still not over if Halse United U14s can keep their composure and keep poking at the home side to get a goal back and move on from there.

Goal: Willen U14 Warriors 3 - 0 Halse United U14s
In the 57th minute, the opposition break through again down the right-hand side and a weak pass isn't dealt with in the six-yard box and a red shirted player just needed to get something on it to score in a busy box. 3 to the good now and that may settle matters and the match after all of Halse United U14s hard work in an attacking and defensive sense.

Full Time: Willen U14 Warriors 3 - 0 Halse United U14s
And that was that. The winning streak is broken but it was a good display where the players in black and white stayed in their stations and kept the pressure throughout the entire game. It was a very open fixture in which the opposition said that it was difficult to hold it and also get past the defence. To think this is a team pushing for promotion this and even last season, there isn't too many negatives. Unfortunately, the chances that Willen U14 Warriors had, they converted and were clinical. One of the key aspects of the game is that the size of the pitch definitely helped the opposition more than the visitors as most of the goals came from that long ball from the first sector which completely skipped over the central zones (Midfield positions) and ending up going straight into a promising attacking position. However, one thing that needs to be raised is that there were some fiery heads and voices from both sides which could have been avoided if either side ignored it but that didn't happen. It's clear that being competitive and a strong mindset to win the game is key at times, but should only be used in the mind and focusing on the match instead of making your feelings clear to the opposition player and letting them get in your heads. Keeping your composure in the mind will set anyone for a positive path ahead in being mindful and strong mentally! Back onto the performance itself, the constant pressure from the wing and attack looked promising and definitely should have been rewarded but didn't come in this fixture but if this was to carry on in any game, we could see something similar to the game against Aspley Guise U14 Panthers! This is the first time the black and white face Willen U14 Warriors this season and there will be another game but at Syresham and that means one thing, the opposition will struggle tactically! A fixture to skip over as it's in the past but the lessons learnt shouldn't be forgotten! With the potential of the squad and the progress it has made, something is still achievable this season and more wins are incoming! Well done for your hard work and efforts, rest up and get ready for the fun busy schedule of football we have ahead. On to the next one!

Player Of The Match?
After another commanding performance and proving to be a solid player between the sticks, this week's POTM goes to Tristan John. It's very difficult to settle in the No.1 role but recently he has excelled in the position and shown resilience and leadership. His distribution was immense with the ball mostly going to a black and white shirt from his hands and even his feet. He also commanded the defence when needed with a voice that was needed to be heard. And it's only his second game since putting on the gloves! Well done Tristan!

What's Up Next?
Halse United U14s will have their last away match for around two months when they play against title and promotion chasing Bedford Park Rangers U14 (Sat) Tigers at Mowsbury Park. The match will commence on Saturday 15th March.

Player Of The Match: Tristan John