The U11 football team carried on their impressive form from Leeds earlier in the month, with a scintillating display in the AJIS Plate quarter-finals. The team travelled to the Fylde coast to take on AKS Grammar School from Lytham St Anne’s and they were certainly up for the challenge.
Bridgewater took control of the game from the kick off and never looked in danger of losing the tie at any point. This was despite a scare in the first minute when a wayward pass put the AKS striker through, only to be denied by an alert save from George. The defence of Matteo and Harper were so solid after that moment that George had little to do until late on when he saved a penalty to keep another clean sheet for the team. We have an impressive set of players at this age group and the starting midfield and forward line of Alfie, Craig, Josh and Reagan dominated possession throughout the game. The changes of David, Jaydon, Luca and Thomas did not weaken the team at all, and everybody played an important role in the subsequent 10-0 win! Alfie scored four, Josh got three and Jaydon was denied a hat trick as David poached one on the goal line. The score line is impressive but the manner in which the team move the ball around with composure and awareness was what caught the eye of those watching.
After the game, the team were invited to lunch with the AKS team before heading to the sand dunes to warm up for the afternoon’s festival of football. Bridgewater were invited to participate in a round robin tournament against hosts AKS, Westholme School and Ashbridge School. Once again, Bridgewater proved too strong for each of the other teams and finished the day with four wins, 24 goals scored and none conceded. In over 100 minutes of football, the team averaged a goal every three minutes and had four shoot outs.
In the first game against Ashbridge, goals from Alfie, David (2), Reagan and Josh were enough to give Bridgewater a 5-0 win. Game two was a rematch against hosts AKS and after scoring, Alfie took the gloves to give George a breather. Further strikes from Craig (2) and Josh again, provided Bridgewater with a 4-0 victory. In the final game against Westholme, the teams agreed to play 9 a side, with George, Matteo and Harper representing Westholme to provide sterner opposition for the team. However, with Luca B, Jaydon, Josh and Reagan bossing the midfield, David looking menacing up front and Thomas and Craig unsurpassable in defence, Alfie had little to do in goal once more. In the end goals from David, Josh and a hat trick from Jaydon ensures Bridgewater went home looking forward to facing local rivals Clarendon Cottage at Bridgewater on Monday.
The final word of the day on the Bridgewater performance went to the teacher from Westholme. Having asked to speak to the team after the game, he praised the boys’ composure on the ball, tactical awareness, positional play and the way the team moved the ball around. This sentiment was echoed by staff at the other schools and the team can be justifiably proud of their development and commitment. Well done boys!
Very proud of the team in how they played the game and how they respected the opposition too. Well done boys!