This week the U9 football team came together to play two games in two days. The outcome could not have been any better as Bridgewater scored 23 goals and only conceded one as they started to produce some of their finest football to date.
On Monday, the team set off to Yorkshire to take on our friends from Pudsey. During the Senior’s recent football tour to Malaga FC, the two schools met and agreed to play fixtures back home with both Seniors and Prep. The U9 team were the first to take up the challenge and they certainly rose to the occasion. It was clear early on that the Bridgewater team were more experienced and had more coaching and games than their opponents. With early goals coming thick and fast, the game was ideal to put into practice some of the ideology and principles of play that the Bridgewater teams are trying to play. Goalkeepers Kian and Luca produced good saves when called upon, but with Toby, Tom and Frankie majestic at the back, chances were limited for Fulneck.
Meanwhile, the midfield of Luca, Anton, Alex controlled the play and created a host of chances for strikers Seb, Sam and Tommy. In the end, Bridgewater ran out comfortable winners with goals from Anton (4), Seb (3), Alex (2) Toby (2), Tommy (2), Luca and a much celebrated goal from Sam. Full credit must go to Fulneck who never gave up and to Bridgewater who played with respect and sportsmanship throughout the game.
The game in Yorkshire was the perfect preparation for the next day when the team travelled to Cheshire to play Cransley Prep. With Cransley fielding a young and inexperienced team, once again Bridgewater took the opportunity to develop their passing game. In fact, some of the possession play and switching attack from left to right was impressive and drew rounds of applause from the watching spectators. When Tom, Luca C and Tommy moved to the back, the build up play from defence, through the midfield and up to the front line was an absolute joy to watch.
With Cransley unable to breach Kian’s goal, Bridgewater scored some fabulous team goals in winning the game. Tommy (2), Seb (2), Anton (2) , Alex, Toby and Sam scored the goals, but it was the style of play that was the most impressive part of the game. The boys now have a rest for a couple of weeks before they try to defend the ISA Tag Rugby title on Wednesday 20th November. Meanwhile the U11 football team will travel back up to Yorkshire on Friday to take on Fulneck School.