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Freeflow U15's got off to a great start in the league with an impressive performance away from home. The venue was Hainault Recreation Ground and the pitch was wet and skiddy. But Freeflow got in to gear straight away with pulsating attacks early on both flanks. Upminster had a direct approach and looked to play the long ball in behind the away defense. However the Freeflow midfielders and defenders did well to attack the ball and then win the second ball.
Freeflow were boasting a number of new recruits to the squad and Rajvir in particular impressed with his work rate, physical presence and quick thinking. Nav, Amandeep, Rajvir and Jag combined on a number of occasions with some beautiful triangle moves but the moves broke down with indecisive decision making near the goal, some last ditch tackles by Upminster and poor finishing. As the half progressed Manvir was sent clear on a four occasions but failed to score. Shots from distance ranged in from Amandeep, Judge, Rajvir, Jag and Kamel.
Manvir finally broke the Upminster resistance half way through the first-half as he latched onto a loose ball and neatly slotted home, 1:0. Freeflow continued to dominate and were given too much time on the ball at the back allowing the defense to start the move and Rajvir in particular looking to thread players through. In the first-half Freeflow had half a dozen corners and almost scored from all of them. Kamel put bend and dip on his deliveries which made Upminster anxious.
After more wayward shooting from Freeflow and then Manvir hitting the post they eventually found the net. Another silky smooth run by Jag past two defenders resulted in his center; Manvir controlled and slammed the ball home, 2:0. The pressure continued and Judge who ran all day box to box got his reward when he finished with aplomb after Manvir's shot was saved, 3:0.
At half-time Freeflow were warned against complacency and encouraged to continue the assault on goal but with more of a range of diagonal passes. Upminster were obviously rallied and looked to close down higher up the pitch and looked to play the long ball in behind the full backs. The Freeflow defense stopped most attacks with ease as Arjun controlled the defence with confidence, quick thinking and a great physical presence. But Freeflow were not as cohesive in midfield and the game was becoming more of a scrap.
The game looked like ending 3:0 until Upminster won the second ball from a Freeflow goal kick, they forced their way through and finished well, 3:1. Captain Amandeep rallied the team and after more substitutions they found the cohesion from the first-half. Jag ran clear on a number of occasions but his finish was either too central or just wide. Jag finally got his reward after Nav combined with the overlapping Jaspreet, the ball was centered and after a scramble Jag forced the ball home from close range, 4:1. Freeflow continued to dominate the last ten minutes and new recruit and substitute Jay scored a tap in after the goalie palmed the ball into his path, 5:1.
Harjeet was moved into a more creative role and had a shot saved by the goalkeeper superbly. He then laid the ball into the path of Jay just inside the area. Jay took one touch and then beautifully reversed the ball into the opposite corner, 6:1 and a brilliant goal.
The 6:1 score line looks like a comprehensive victory and a one sided performance. This is true as Adam; Freeflow's goal keeper was only tested three times. But Freeflow missed too many clear cut chances after carving out the opportunities with lovely one two touch football. They also lost their momentum in the second half which was only regained after Upminster pulled a goal back and only then to wake Freeflow up.
Generally the performance was encouraging as Freeflow played flowing football in the first half and the latter periods of the second. They created many chances, shot from range and always looked comfortable at the back which was well marshaled by Arjun. Amandeep and Rajvir battled in midfield and always looked to play the right pass. The forwards did miss many chances but they always worried the Upminster defense, which also had to deal with Judge's late runs.
SQUAD: ADAM, ARJUN, JASPREET, HARJ, NAV, AMANDEEP, RAJ, JUDGE, KAMEL, JAG, MANVIR, SUNIL, LIAM, JAY, AMARDEEP.
GOALS: Manvir 2, Judge 1, Jag 1, Jay 2.
The Academy would like to thank Arjun's Father, Adam's Mother and Amandeep's Mother for escorting players back and forth to the game. We would also like to thank Arjun's Father, Amandeep's Mother, Harjeet's Sister and Liam's family for your support during the game.
U15 LEAGUE STATISTICS click here |
