Waverton Arrow’s first match of 2017 – and first with their new
name – came away at a very well organised Chester Nomads Colts team. The team
made a fantastic effort following a training session on Thursday night focussed
all around tackling. This exercise was repeated just before the match – and the
‘tackling monsters’ were definitely on show throughout. With the ‘Man of the
Match’ award replaced by the ‘Monster of the Match’ award.
In
the first quarter Waverton fell a goal behind in the very early stages but soon
recovered and drew level through a well worked Rafa goal. Both Rafa and Frankie
came close soon after and Waverton could have easily taken the first period by
3 goals. Some really good passing from the back to the front (the boys really
taking the learnings from training sessions earlier in 2016) with the best
passage going through Joseph, Christopher and Rafa. What was most pleasing was
that the coaches counted 15 very solid tackles that prevented the Nomads team
from building any further threat.
In
the second quarter Waverton took the lead through another well worked goal –
great tackles in mid field creating a ball for Joseph to run onto, he shot low
and hard but the keeper made a great save. Rafa’s great positioning meant he
was there to mop up the keepers spill and put Waverton 2-1 ahead. Joseph then
came close hitting the post after a great run. After that it was again all
about the tackling, an intense period where all members of the team notched up
good challenges. Highlights being a goal saving tackle from Eric in from of our
own goal, then shortly after Eric combined with Rafa and Frankie to keep the
Nomads out of the final third. Guy also notched up 8 tackles in 10 minutes
covering all corners of the park. James did really well in goal but couldn’t
prevent the nomad’s from equalising close to the end of the quarter.
In
the third quarter Joseph scored an excellent goal and the tackles kept coming.
However, Nomad’s scored twice and the 3rd quarter finished 4-3 up.
At this stage both teams were well matched, but signs of tiredness we setting
in.
In
the final quarter an unfortunate own goal followed from the rebound off the
first of many great saves by George in between the sticks. Rafa converted his
latest hat-trick soon after. With the score poised at 5-4 both sets of
supporters were confident their team could snatch the win. However, tiredness
and focus slipped in the last 2 minutes and Nomad’s stole in to score their 6th
and 7th.
A
great start to the new year. Despite the final score,
the boys worked incredibly hard on their tackling and the ‘Monster of the
Match’ award was shared by Guy and George. Remarkably Guy made 8 of his 10 key
challenges in the 2nd quarter and George pulled his score to 10 in
the last quarter as goalkeeper.
A
nice clean game of football. Thanks to the parents on a damp morning – your
support and encouragement is so important to the process.
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