Cholsey Bluebirds Under 13s 2014/15
Summary of the 2014-15 Season so far
Following on from their winning success in the Under 13's A League in the 2013/14 spring league, Cholsey Bluebirds U13's completed another exceptional autumn league winning every match until the decider against Harwell and Hendred FC. Their first encounter resulted in a draw - forcing a replay. Harwell were victorious on that occasion but the boys played out of their skin and finished a creditable runner-up in the top division in their age group.
The team is currently riding high, undefeated so far this Spring League.
The team is currently riding high, undefeated so far this Spring League.
Summary of the 2013-14 Season
Usually at this stage of the season (the end) Steve and Adi are telling everyone how unlucky their team has been and next season will be their year…………. Well things were different this season and this was their year!!!!
Due to struggling a bit towards the back end of last season the U12s began the season in the B league which was seen as a good thing as the hope was for the boys to build up some momentum and confidence. First job of the season was to appoint a new goalkeeper and we had to look no further than last season’s left back, Charlie. It turned out to be a major decision for the squad as Charlie went from strength to strength as the season progressed. Five new players arrived to add to the already talented squad and finally the u12s had a team that was going to be challenging on all fronts.
The season began well with the team playing good football and winning games comfortably. The boys came to the final game of the autumn league having played 6 and won 6 and being top scorers. Quarry were sitting behind us in 2nd place and it was a final game decider. Unfortunately the boys had no luck eventually losing 3-1, having hit the woodwork twice and getting caught out on the counter attack when piling on the pressure. Despite the final day disappointment the boys still attended the Oxford Mail presentation night as runners up and this was good enough to begin the second half of the season in the ‘A’ league.
The U12s knew they could challenge in the ‘A’ league as the season's cup run saw them win away at St Edmunds to set up a 2nd round clash at Harwell and Hendred, the 'A' league champions. The boys easily matched Harwell and with the game 1-1 after extra time they won on penalties. So with one scalp from the league above they moved into the 3rd round to try and take another but unfortunately after outplaying Crowmarsh for much of the game the boys this time lost out on penalties.
Life began in the A league after Christmas with a bit of a mixed bag. After 4 games we had won 2 and lost 2 with the 2 losses coming against weaker teams, causing a bit of disappointment. So they sat mid table with 4 games to go. The maths was simple, 4 wins and we were champions but the problem was 3 of the games were against 1st, 2nd and 3rd!
The boys went away to Quarry on a Thursday night and got revenge for the ‘B’ league defeat with a thumping 4 nil win. 1 down, 3 to go.
Next up was a really tough game at home to didcot town. The boys put in their best display so far and played Didcot off the park to win 4-1. 2 down, 2 to go.
Away to Crowmarsh was always going to be a really tough game but the boys had the added motivation of knowing that 3 points would give them that chance to win the league on the final day -and 3 points it was with a really hard fought 2 nil win. 3 down, 1 to go.
So onto the final game of the season and a visit from the A league champions Harwell and Hendred. A draw would be good enough for Harwell so it was 3 points or more runners up heartache for the u12s. The boys played out of their skin and Harwell could not believe what they were up against. The boys went in 1 nil up at half time and came out for the second half full of confidence. They won every header, won every tackle and after a brilliant penalty save from Charlie went on to score 2 more and wrap up the A League title with a faultless 3 nil win.
So the U12s would finally get the recognition they deserve by attending the end of season presentation night at the Kassam stadium as A league champions. To top off the perfect end to the season we had 3 nominations in the U12 player of the year with Freddie, Liam and Ben all being nominated by opposition managers. Ben went on to pick up the award which he fully
deserved.
Steve Wilkinson Manager & last season's coach, Adi Junkinson
Due to struggling a bit towards the back end of last season the U12s began the season in the B league which was seen as a good thing as the hope was for the boys to build up some momentum and confidence. First job of the season was to appoint a new goalkeeper and we had to look no further than last season’s left back, Charlie. It turned out to be a major decision for the squad as Charlie went from strength to strength as the season progressed. Five new players arrived to add to the already talented squad and finally the u12s had a team that was going to be challenging on all fronts.
The season began well with the team playing good football and winning games comfortably. The boys came to the final game of the autumn league having played 6 and won 6 and being top scorers. Quarry were sitting behind us in 2nd place and it was a final game decider. Unfortunately the boys had no luck eventually losing 3-1, having hit the woodwork twice and getting caught out on the counter attack when piling on the pressure. Despite the final day disappointment the boys still attended the Oxford Mail presentation night as runners up and this was good enough to begin the second half of the season in the ‘A’ league.
The U12s knew they could challenge in the ‘A’ league as the season's cup run saw them win away at St Edmunds to set up a 2nd round clash at Harwell and Hendred, the 'A' league champions. The boys easily matched Harwell and with the game 1-1 after extra time they won on penalties. So with one scalp from the league above they moved into the 3rd round to try and take another but unfortunately after outplaying Crowmarsh for much of the game the boys this time lost out on penalties.
Life began in the A league after Christmas with a bit of a mixed bag. After 4 games we had won 2 and lost 2 with the 2 losses coming against weaker teams, causing a bit of disappointment. So they sat mid table with 4 games to go. The maths was simple, 4 wins and we were champions but the problem was 3 of the games were against 1st, 2nd and 3rd!
The boys went away to Quarry on a Thursday night and got revenge for the ‘B’ league defeat with a thumping 4 nil win. 1 down, 3 to go.
Next up was a really tough game at home to didcot town. The boys put in their best display so far and played Didcot off the park to win 4-1. 2 down, 2 to go.
Away to Crowmarsh was always going to be a really tough game but the boys had the added motivation of knowing that 3 points would give them that chance to win the league on the final day -and 3 points it was with a really hard fought 2 nil win. 3 down, 1 to go.
So onto the final game of the season and a visit from the A league champions Harwell and Hendred. A draw would be good enough for Harwell so it was 3 points or more runners up heartache for the u12s. The boys played out of their skin and Harwell could not believe what they were up against. The boys went in 1 nil up at half time and came out for the second half full of confidence. They won every header, won every tackle and after a brilliant penalty save from Charlie went on to score 2 more and wrap up the A League title with a faultless 3 nil win.
So the U12s would finally get the recognition they deserve by attending the end of season presentation night at the Kassam stadium as A league champions. To top off the perfect end to the season we had 3 nominations in the U12 player of the year with Freddie, Liam and Ben all being nominated by opposition managers. Ben went on to pick up the award which he fully
deserved.
Steve Wilkinson Manager & last season's coach, Adi Junkinson