Match Details

Sunday 28th September 2008
Away to Ridgewaye FC

Ridgewaye FC  8    Shirley Town FC  1

Shirley Town´s U11s went into this game in two minds. On the one hand confident after their late 3-2 win against Chislehurst, but on the other a bit worried after discovering that Ridgewaye had beaten Orpington Rovers B 18-1 the previous Sunday.

However, if their first half performance was anything to go by, they had every reason to confident, matching the home side in every area of the pitch, despite three of the Ridgewaye boys being taller than their manager,which for 10 year olds is something to behold.

After some good passages of play at either end, Ridgewaye scored twice inside three minutes as the first half drew to a close, the giant No 29 firing home from 15 yards after a great pass and then volleying into the roof of the net from 20 after Sam´s goalkick fell short. This was 8 goals better off than Orpington Rovers had been last week so the Poppies were rightfully pleased with their first half display.

Andy made two changes at half time with Connie and Rahul coming on for Matthew and Musamali, but a change in fortune was all it brought as Shirley Town failed to heed his request to keep things tight for the first five minutes. During that period Ridgewaye scored three more times, the second of those, and their fourth, being the killer. Finn clattered into their number 10 for a clear penalty but the referee had played a huge part in the goal ashe allowed two fouls on Connie to go unpunished in the build-up.

Shirley regrouped but were now facing a side who knew they had the game won. Attacks were few and far between and Ridgewaye were now looking likely to score every time they had the ball, something that they did do three more times but not before Noah forced their keeper into a smart save with a free kick from outside the box. Charlie pulled a last-minute goal back (but not before the referee had given a Ridgewaye player offside even though he was dribbling the balldown the wing) after the keeper could only parry Stephen´s low cross and it was nothing less than Shirley Town deserved after a hard-working performance against a strong side.

With Ridgewaye the visitors to Royal Russell School on October 12th, it´s only two weeks until the Poppies can try and exact some revenge. In the nicest possible way, of course.

TEAM Sam, Declan, Finn, Jake, Aaron, Musamali, James, Noah, Stephen, Charlie, Matthew Subs Connie (Musamali, ht), Ted (Declan, 40), Rahul (Matthew, ht).

GOAL Charlie 59