Report

A new era began today for New Longton Rovers Under 10’s as they tried out 9-a-side football for the first time.

The lads faced Lostock Hall Black and we had no subs so the massive pitch would test the fitness levels !

The team shape looked good and balanced and we lined up in a 3-3-2 formation.

TOBY immediately began causing chaos down the right hand side as he attacked the space and looked to cross the ball.

MATTHEW also started like a man possessed and was running through the opposition defence with ease. He attacked his marker on the left, beat him and pulled the ball back for WILL who was lurking in the perfect position and finished clinically . 1 nil !

The defence of ALEX, CAM and LUKE looked very solid and GUY was on money from his dad for a clean sheet so was even more alert than usual.

The Rovers continued to have the better of it and a good finish from ZACH and a goal from  the lively ISAAC, both created by the outstanding MATTHEW, made the half time score very pleasing.

HALF TIME  NEW LONGTON    3  LOSTOCK HALL BLACK   0

The boys started well again in the second half. We had good width with ISAAC and TOBY and there was good talking between the players and backing up which was excellent to see.

GUY had to be brave and rush out to smother chances a few times and he set up attacks with intelligent kicking to the wingers. Looked quite at home in the massive nets !

TOBY was delivering some wonderful crosses from the right and twice ZACH met them with great headers which deserved goals.

ZACH flicked on a powerful ball from the back which MATTHEW was on to like a flash and ran clear of the defence to bury the chance with a powerful drive into the net.

ZACH scored another himself with a clever floated finish over a crowded penalty box and then CAMERON played a fantastic ball over the top for MATT who again got goal side of his marker and finished in some style again.

We wondered if the boys would flag in the last 20 minutes but they kept going really well partly due to the fact that the passing was good rather than trying to run it too much.

WILL and ISAAC continued to be heavily involved and they both got stuck into their tackles well.

ZACH scored a third goal for his hat-trick and there were several other chances including a  shot from ALEX that the excellent Lostock Hall keeper turned round the post.

CAMERON dominated at centre back and had a great match and LUKE B. missed nothing and used the ball very well.

FINAL SCORE   NEW LONGTON ROVERS  7      LOSTOCK HALL BLACK    0

The SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH went to WILL for an all action tough tackling performance. His passing and awareness of other players was excellent and he deserved at least one more goal. He doesn’t seem fazed by anything and is in great form.

The MANAGERS MAN OF THE MATCH was extremely difficult to choose this week as I could easily make a case for every boy on the pitch but in the end I picked TOBY for his incredible effort levels and stamina and some of the best crossing of a ball I’ve yet seen in junior football.

OVERALL this was a very promising start to 9 a side and the boys looked very at home on the bigger pitch. Good passing and unselfish team play were the key today along with top effort levels.

We will need more of the same against Gregson Lane next Sunday in what should be a good test.

A fantastic performance boys. Very well done !

Gareth