Abingdon Youth - Away

After no game for six weeks (16th December 2006) due to Home and Away fixtures being Postponed due to the weather and Christmas break I was quite worried about how the lads would respond after the lay off, with no match practice against a strong side especially after all the Xmas food,tree chocolates and selection boxes etc.. But I must say that every single boy gave 110% this morning and performed to such a high standard it was a pleasure to watch.

First Game Won 1-2
Team Kieron Massingham,Tate Rogers,Tremayne Barratt,Ross McMahon,Jack Tutton,Lester Davies,Leyton Brandon.

This game started at a very high tempo with OCC pinning Abingdon back for long periods, But after creating chance after chance and not scoring we hoped for a break through which came after a solo run and close finish from Jack Tutton, Half time 0-1,After an encouraging team talk which we all listen to and carried on in the same form as the first half.Ross McMahon scored after a great run finishing with a powerful left footed strike high into the net.Abingdon scored late on in the second half to complete the scoreline.
Great performances this morning from all these players for their age,outstanding.

Second Game Won 0-3
Team Kieron Massingham,Cameron Innes,Thomas Van Gucci,Robbie Morton(Joesph Dunning),Thomas Dunning,Joesph Hastings,Jordan Lawson.
Half time changes in brackets.

This game also started at another very fast pace but OCC stamped their intentions on the game with Joesph Hastings finishing a great move with a well guided finish after numerous players passed, and then crossed the ball to create the goal.Half time 0-1, After the half time team talk the lads went out and scored again through Joesph Hastings with a fantastic, technically hard volley to strike,Joesph was very unlucky not to have a hat trick after a couple of goal bound shots, which were stopped by the Abingdon Goalie,The third an own goal came from a Cameron Innes corner which was turned into the Abingdon goal by an unlucky lad it hit.Great performances this morning from all these players for their age,outstanding.

Third Game Won 0-1
Team Jack Tutton,Kieron Massingham,Joesph Dunning(Robbie Morton)Cameron Gray,Malcolm Blinder,Jamie Smith,Locky.Half time changes in brackets.

This team carried on in the same form as the other two teams were in this morning,these lads created chance after chance and could have scored more goals than any of the other two OCC teams this morning, but didn't score until a free kick was taken by Goalie Jack Tutton deep inside his own half which was lobbed forward into the box,bounced and over the Abingdon goalie and into the net which was one of those one off long range goals.Well done to Locky on his debut game this morning who performed as the others to a very high standard.

Great performances this morning from every single player listed above and as a manager you couldn't have asked any more from any player, which doesn't happen at any level or age every often,The six week break must have done the lads the world of good.

Well done to everyone involved this morning including all the Taxi drivers,Martin McMahon and Dougie Innes for their help in the warm up's and the games and everyone please keep enjoying the football.

Rob Tutton

Grove - Away

First Game 0-8 Won
Team Kieron Massingham,Tate Rogers,Tremayne Barratt,Lester Davies,Jack Tutton,Ross McMahon,Leyton Brandon.

An awesome display of team play, individual play, and passing play, was evident throughout this game and was a delight to watch, everyone who was involved in this game at different stages of time did what was required at any time, A four timer from Jack Tutton, a Hat trick from Leyton Brandon and Lester Davies weighed in with the goals, some great finishes, and even more chances missed on top of all this,mainly due to an outstanding performance from the Grove goalkeeper who kept the scoreline down.

Second Game 1-0 Lost
Team Kieron Massingham,Thomas Van Gucci,Cameron Innes,Jamie Smith(Tate Rogers),Robbie Morton,Cameron,Joesph Hastings. (Half Time changes in brackets)

A more even contest with Grove scoring in the first half with a shot/cross which went in off the inside of the far post, for 90% of this half we were under pressure but the lads defended very well from all over the pitch, but we must listen to constructive and important instructions from the coaches and manager and not anybody else as this can become very confusing for the players and affects their game as a team and as an individual, as they are pulled about by too many instructions. The second half saw us go out and reverse the possession held and we started to get into the game and creating some chances, Tate Rogers was very unlucky not to get a penalty awarded late on in the second half when being held back in the penalty box.

Third Game 0-4 Won
Team Tremayne Barratt(Robbie Morton),Kieron Massingham,Lester Davies(Tremayne Barratt)Jamie Smith,Jack Tutton(Leyton Brandon),Ben Smith,Ross MaMahon(Joesph Hastings),(Half Time changes in brackets)

This friendly Game saw all the above players playing in different positions and getting an extra half each after a full game,our Goalie was in defense and defenders or midfielders in goal etc.. great fun for the kids and the goalscorers were Ben Smith with a well taken penalty after being up ended in the box, Jack Tutton with two and Jamie Smith.

Well done to all the boys this morning and this year for all the commitment and hard work put in
by them and their parents.

Thanks to Tony Rogers and Dougie Innes for helping me on Saturday Morning with the warm up and during the matches.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.
See you all at training on Weds 3rd Jan 2007.

Rob Tutton