WRFC U13 Warriors Resume League Campaign With a Win Against Hook Youth Reds

Hook Youth Reds 4 – 5 WRFC U13 Warriors

Sunday 20th November 2016

WRFC U13 Warriors Following Their 5-4 Win (Away) to Hook Youth Reds: 20.11.16

After suffering early departures from both County Cup and League Cup competitions, Warriors were back with a vengeance yesterday, as they travelled to Chalky Lane to face Hook Youth in the League. Hook had got off to a good start this season in SYL Division 2, playing eight and winning five.  Although they gave Warriors a good run for their money and pressed their home advantage, our players worked hard, looked sharp and battled until the final whistle to secure the three points.

After absorbing Manager Dan Wheatabix’s misty-eyed team talk (Dan played for Hook on this very pitch as a teenage centre forward….), Coach Oli Parry put the team through a vigorous 35-minute warm-up.  Despite the physical and psychological preparation however, Hook went ahead first after only three minutes, which a speculative, high curling ball that sailed in above King Leon.  Wake-up call that it was, Warriors equalised after another two minutes, with Alex latching onto a Matt assist to slot the ball home at close quarters.

Warriors’ triumph was short-lived as Hook went ahead again in the seventh minute after a some miscommunication at the back allowed Hook a shot at goal.  Undeterred, Warriors equalised yet again one minute later, with Kyle tapping in following a trademark run from Charlie and an expertly delivered cross.

Kyle notched up his brace just within the tenth minute to put Warriors ahead for the first time: 3-2.  Cristiano delivered a ball to the Hook ‘keeper which he caught but spilled, only to find Kyle waiting on his doorstep.

Frustratingly, Hook equalised yet again only 15 minutes in after Warriors conceded a free kick for a handball offence just outside the box.  Hook’s delivery was perfect and the ball sailed in top right, way beyond Leon’s grasp.  3-3 – or, in terms of value for match fee, six goals in 15 minutes!

Play levelled out at this point and it was not until the 38th minute, just before half-time that Marc was brought down by a late tackle in the Hook box.  He duly converted the penalty well, providing Warriors with a slim lead as they went into the break: 4-3.

By now, the pattern of play was set and Hook were determined to get their equaliser once more.  True to form, they made it 4-4 only five minutes into the second passage of play, their #6 capitalising on Warriors’ difficulty clearing their lines.

At this point, the stage was set for what to be 30 minutes of entertaining end-to-end football, with both teams trying to get ahead.

Warriors made it 5-4 only nine minutes in, with Darcey providing a great assist by intercepting a Hook goal kick, stealing the ball off their #6 and sliding it through to a waiting Charlie who sent in a high, looping shot which struck gold.  Try as they did, Hook just couldn’t get the equaliser and pinch a point from the game.  Warriors defended well for the last 20 minutes or so but equally had their share of scoring opportunities at the other end of the pitch.  They played as a team yesterday – and won as a team.

Thanks to Manager Dan and Coach Oli, to Christian for lino duties and to Adam for Pitch Marshalling.  Belated Happy Birthday to Darcey for last week and to Matt for this coming week.  Onwards and upwards!