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Freeflow under 13's came from a goal behind to beat Sungate 4:2 in some style. The score line could have been higher had the linesmen not been so poor.
Sungate proved to be a tougher test than Grays and played in a very similar style as Valence, with tenacious players across the pitch and direct play with quick forwards. Since the defeat at Valence Freeflow under 13's have understood that they need to match opposition teams for physical play and to be stronger mentally when they are struggling in games.
Freeflow started the better as they retained possession well and spent the early part of the game in the opposition half. But on too many occasions they over passed the ball or failed to play the correct pass. Despite this Sungate failed to worry the Freeflow defense but continued to play with high energy and passion. Harvinder had the first chance as he was put through but he pulled the shot wide. Freeflow continued the pressure but conceded a goal against the run of play. Having over played at the back they lost possession and the Sungate forward raced clear and lofted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, 1:0. For a couple of minutes this seemed to affect Freeflow mentally and it looked like a similar situation as the game at Valence. However this period passed and they eventually overcame this as all the players did well to keep calm.
At half-time Freeflow changed their system enabling them to attack in numbers with more width and more versatility upfront. They again continued to dominate and finally got the breakthrough. Substitute Jaffar did well to drop deep and receive the ball, he then turned and skipped one challenge, as he entered the penalty area he then dropped his shoulder to beat the defender who could only hack Jaffar down, penalty. Selim took responsibility to take the spot-kick and placed the ball with confidence. He struck the ball firmly to his left and the goal-keepers right high into the top corner, 1:1. This spurred the Under 13's on and they played the best football they have ever played.
From this point everything was one, two touch passing with swift movement off the ball, with attacks coming from the middle, left and right. Karan and Selim started most moves leading to Rajan or Daniel to provide the strikers. Daniel was sublime throughout and he dissected the Sungate defense with one pass which took out three defenders, Harvinder raced through and finished with composure, 2:1. The confidence at this point was on another level as every flick and skill was effective along with crisp passing and movement. Daniel again sliced the defense open playing Harvinder in again who brilliantly passed the ball into the corner of the net, 3:1.
Now Sungate looked a depleted team, having taking the lead against the run of play, looking solid they were now loosing their cool and lunging in with dangerous tackles. This helped Freeflow as they played a quick passing around the tackles and they continued to pick their way through but the linesman all of a sudden decided to flag everything. The fourth goal eventually came as Akshay linked very well with Rajan. Rajan then lifted the ball delightfully through to Harvinder, who then used the bounce of the ball to lob the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper, another clinical finish, 4:1.
Freeflow's penetration continued, Sungate continued to answer with physical play and the linesmen continued to flag every Freeflow attack unjustly. Sungate managed to pull a goal back from a cleared corner kick with an unintentional lob, 4:2.
The under 13's did well and showed a lot of character which was lacking in so many previous games against teams of a similar style. They never gave up and played beautiful football, pass and move was the Freeflow groove. The dissapointing side of the game was the linesmen as he was clearly preventing Freeflow from adding to their lead.
This is a sad sight to see because if the officials are cheating with intent to benefit their own team at youth level, that team ultimately is encouraged to play without any integrity, that team is encouraged to cheat and that is our future. This is very common at grass roots level and another example of why England are so behind the rest of the world when it comes to football.
The Starting Line up: Adam (GK), Karan, Harpal, Maninder, Balraj, Selim, Rajan, Daniel, Harvinder, Akshay, Demi.
Subs: Karendeep, Jordan, Jaspal, Akshay, Liam, Jagraj & Jaffar.
The Academy would like to Thank the parents and family members of Karendeep, Maninder, Jordan, Jaffar, Raj, Harpal, Akshay and Adam for you're support during the game. |
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Daniel scrapped in midfield and passed the ball superbly. A complete box to box performance. |
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Selim as ever was a force in midfield and kept his cool to score a 3rd penalty in two days. |
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Harvinder had a slow start but scored three wonderful goals with composure and always looked to create opportunities. |
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Karan was cool and calm at the back with intelligent passing, solid interceptions and controlled his defense verbally. |
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