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Sunday, 29 September 2013
WOODCOTE WANDERERS 1 - 3 GRANGE ROVERS
A return to winning ways for Rovers also saw a return to the team for Sean at the heart of the defence, alongside Hayden, Tyrell and Jack B.
It was Jack B who opened the scoring and his account for the season with a well taken finish, guiding the ball into the net as he arrived on the end of a parry by the Woodcote keeper following a fierce Jack D drive from an Alfie cross.
Mus again busied himself in midfield alongside Jacks D and F, the latter of whom seems to improve as a player with every outing, today intelligent and full of running.
Partnering Alfie up front, Riley soon slotted a second and Rovers looked to be cruising.
In the second half an impressive Woodcote fight back saw keeper, Luke, forced to act as sweeper on a couple of occasions, rushing off his line to deprive the Light Blues of possession in Rover's box.
Eventually the pressure told and in an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration the defence were caught napping as Woodcote pulled one back.
After a tense period with the ball refusing to break for Rovers the game became stretched allowing Alfie and Dorrell to impose their creativity on the game, and after a deft chipped through ball from Riley, Alfie ran onto the ball and made sure of the points with a customarily assured finish.
While there were a few contenders for Man of the Match, Jack B's strong defensive display, surging forays into opposition territory and neatly taken goal saw him take the plaudits and the orange and black ribboned medal.
Although not as convincing as it might have been from the evidence of the first half Rovers have got some points on the board and are looking forward to next weeks clash with Carew Rangers.
It was Jack B who opened the scoring and his account for the season with a well taken finish, guiding the ball into the net as he arrived on the end of a parry by the Woodcote keeper following a fierce Jack D drive from an Alfie cross.
Mus again busied himself in midfield alongside Jacks D and F, the latter of whom seems to improve as a player with every outing, today intelligent and full of running.
Partnering Alfie up front, Riley soon slotted a second and Rovers looked to be cruising.
In the second half an impressive Woodcote fight back saw keeper, Luke, forced to act as sweeper on a couple of occasions, rushing off his line to deprive the Light Blues of possession in Rover's box.
Eventually the pressure told and in an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration the defence were caught napping as Woodcote pulled one back.
After a tense period with the ball refusing to break for Rovers the game became stretched allowing Alfie and Dorrell to impose their creativity on the game, and after a deft chipped through ball from Riley, Alfie ran onto the ball and made sure of the points with a customarily assured finish.
While there were a few contenders for Man of the Match, Jack B's strong defensive display, surging forays into opposition territory and neatly taken goal saw him take the plaudits and the orange and black ribboned medal.
Although not as convincing as it might have been from the evidence of the first half Rovers have got some points on the board and are looking forward to next weeks clash with Carew Rangers.
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Woodcote Wanderers vs Grange Rovers preview
With Josh unavailable for selection and likely return to the squad of Shaun there will certainly be changes for Grange Rovers.
After the disappointment of conceding three late goals last week the Rovers will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking against Woodcote Wanderers.
Woodcote should not be underestimated, with their own Jack "D" in goal and standout players from the trials, Hannah and Max at the heart of their defence the they could be hard to break down.
Playing this side early in the season may be the best time for the match up as the brand new squad tries to gel. However in Jerome and Travis they have a knowledgable management duo and shouldn't be underestimated.
Rovers on the other hand will be looking to overcome the disappointment of last week by getting their first win under their belts and Shaun's return will give Chris & Brad a welcome selection headache in defence.
After the disappointment of conceding three late goals last week the Rovers will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking against Woodcote Wanderers.
Woodcote should not be underestimated, with their own Jack "D" in goal and standout players from the trials, Hannah and Max at the heart of their defence the they could be hard to break down.
Playing this side early in the season may be the best time for the match up as the brand new squad tries to gel. However in Jerome and Travis they have a knowledgable management duo and shouldn't be underestimated.
Rovers on the other hand will be looking to overcome the disappointment of last week by getting their first win under their belts and Shaun's return will give Chris & Brad a welcome selection headache in defence.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Lots of positives in an unfortunate defeat. Grange Rovers 3-6 Warren Town.
Any 6-3 defeat is hard to take, but when
the draw would have been a fairer result who can blame the lion-hearted players
of Grange Rovers for their dejection immediately after today’s game?
It had all started so brightly with new
player Mus starting up front along side Alfie who between them contrived to
force a Warren Town own goal. A powerful cross-cum-shot by Alfie was followed
in by Mus but and was turned in by a green defender.
Unfortunately it was soon 1-1, and that
remained the score until half time. The first half had been an even contest
with Alfie, Jack D, Jack F, Dorrell and Josh variously playing their part in a
battling midfield performance.
The second half started with a quick Warren
Town goal, and Rovers found themselves chasing the game for the first time,
until a green hand ball allowed Alfie to score a rasping free kick from just
outside the area.
It wasn’t long before greens found the net
for a third time and an almost immediate carbon copy of an equalizer from
another drive of a free kick from Alfie.
That’s how it should have finished but in a
mad last five minutes of the game Warren Town scored three. A series of
unfortunate events following a Jack B injury left Town with an unassailable
lead; as the defence struggle to rearrange itself Rovers conceded a soft goal
and with heads down another two followed.
The lesson to take from today is never let
your head go down, the boys had come back twice already and given some of the
performances could have done so again.
There are plenty of positives to be drawn:
The brave performances in midfield from
Jack D and Riley; two awesome free kicks from Alfie; the introduction of some
new players: the busy Mus at one end of the pitch and the reliable and astute
Hayden at the other, making up part of a new look defence; in Luke we have a
player who wants to play between the sticks, something we feared we’d lost with
Tom’s departure.
Special mention should be made of Jack B’s
tough tackling and marshalling of the defence and Jack F’s brave and energetic
performance. On another day they would have been worthy Man of the Match
winners, but Alfie’s sublime free kicks, just set him apart on a difficult day.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON
On Sunday morning the season will kick off against the greens of Warren Town at 10am.
Could you all be there at 9:30am so that we can sort out kits?
If you have Grange Rovers socks and shorts, please wear them, if not dark colours and we'll give you some to take home.
Also could you wear an orange, yellow or red t-shirt, just incase there is an issue with the shirt printing.
Don't worry too much because we can always wear bibs.
Unfortunately the council have marked the wrong size of pitch so we might have to cone out the area tomorrow. Don't worry these are teething problems as the season gets going it'll all be fine!
Can't wait to start now. Come on you ORANGES!
Could you all be there at 9:30am so that we can sort out kits?
If you have Grange Rovers socks and shorts, please wear them, if not dark colours and we'll give you some to take home.
Also could you wear an orange, yellow or red t-shirt, just incase there is an issue with the shirt printing.
Don't worry too much because we can always wear bibs.
Unfortunately the council have marked the wrong size of pitch so we might have to cone out the area tomorrow. Don't worry these are teething problems as the season gets going it'll all be fine!
Can't wait to start now. Come on you ORANGES!
Sunday, 8 September 2013
PRE-SEASON TRAINING
It was great to see the majority of the team out for an enjoyable session on Sunday morning.
Some good effort matched by some big smiles. With the return of Tyrell and Hayden's signing, Chris and Brad look to have lots of defensive options when you add Jack B into the mix.
Looking at the midfield Josh and Jack F looked fitter than ever and keen to impress, Riley has lost none of his strength and combativeness; Dorrell has lost none of his guile. Upfront Alfie looks full of running and hasn't lost his eye for goal.
With Shaun's steel and Jack D's physical presence and drive still to be incorporated into the squad it's looking good for 2013-14.
Get well soon Shaun and no more late Saturday nights Jack!
See you all next Sunday at 10am.
Some good effort matched by some big smiles. With the return of Tyrell and Hayden's signing, Chris and Brad look to have lots of defensive options when you add Jack B into the mix.
Looking at the midfield Josh and Jack F looked fitter than ever and keen to impress, Riley has lost none of his strength and combativeness; Dorrell has lost none of his guile. Upfront Alfie looks full of running and hasn't lost his eye for goal.
With Shaun's steel and Jack D's physical presence and drive still to be incorporated into the squad it's looking good for 2013-14.
Get well soon Shaun and no more late Saturday nights Jack!
See you all next Sunday at 10am.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
TRAINING AND THE START OF THE SEASON
The season kicks off on the 22nd September with a thriller against League & Cup Champions Warren Town who have kept much of their squad together over the closed season.
Until then Grange Rovers will train on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11:30am, with shin pads and water bottles a must. We are hoping that we can fit a friendly in during one of the sessions.
Once the season starts Grange Rovers training will revert to Saturday mornings in the first instance from 10am-11:30am.
Chris is not running turn up and play this year and with Brad will run dedicated Grange Rovers training sessions. If any other parents want to help out with training it would be very much appreciated. No experience necessary.
Until then Grange Rovers will train on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11:30am, with shin pads and water bottles a must. We are hoping that we can fit a friendly in during one of the sessions.
Once the season starts Grange Rovers training will revert to Saturday mornings in the first instance from 10am-11:30am.
Chris is not running turn up and play this year and with Brad will run dedicated Grange Rovers training sessions. If any other parents want to help out with training it would be very much appreciated. No experience necessary.
THE TRANSFER WINDOW
Wallington Little League doesn't have a window but it seems as good a time as any to talk about the comings and goings over the closed season.
Rovers sadly said goodbye to "safe as houses" Tom and speedy, left footed defender George. We wish them both all the best.
However as a result of the open trials and a tense pick night, Rovers manager Chris picked up Luke, and Hayden who are welcome additions to the team.
They join established squad members Alfie, Dorrell, Jack B, Jack D, Jack F, Josh, Riley, Shaun and Tyrell.
Rovers enjoyed a successful 2012-13 season winning the Plate, finishing as runners up in the League and lifting the 5-a-side trophy. On the back of this success 5 members of the team were picked to represent Wallington at the "National" 5-a-side competition in the summer where they performed splendidly.
All that Chris and Brad will ask from the boys in 2013-14 is the same attitude and team spirit that made them such a pleasure to manage last year.
COYO
Rovers sadly said goodbye to "safe as houses" Tom and speedy, left footed defender George. We wish them both all the best.
However as a result of the open trials and a tense pick night, Rovers manager Chris picked up Luke, and Hayden who are welcome additions to the team.
They join established squad members Alfie, Dorrell, Jack B, Jack D, Jack F, Josh, Riley, Shaun and Tyrell.
Rovers enjoyed a successful 2012-13 season winning the Plate, finishing as runners up in the League and lifting the 5-a-side trophy. On the back of this success 5 members of the team were picked to represent Wallington at the "National" 5-a-side competition in the summer where they performed splendidly.
All that Chris and Brad will ask from the boys in 2013-14 is the same attitude and team spirit that made them such a pleasure to manage last year.
COYO
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
A NEW BLOG FOR THE NEW SEASON
Welcome to the new internet home for Grange Rovers U12s. Bear with us as we get going.
Don't forget you can also follow us on Twitter @grangerovers1.
Don't forget you can also follow us on Twitter @grangerovers1.
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