Despite a few changes to the team during the closed season, the STJV Raiders Under 11′s went into their first game of the season with high hopes. Unfortunately the Raiders were a little slower to get into the their stride than their opposition. Within the first five minutes of the game Hemyock were two goals up on the Raiders. Both had come from long range shots, the second being a particularly impressive effort.

Despite this initial set-back, the Raiders started to find their feet. Jaylen Burne (playing his first game for the Raiders) and Joe Tweedy were solid at the back with Tobi Pugsley providing excellent cover in the sweeper role. There were some great passages of play in midfield with Drew Birkhead on the left, Adam Harris on the right and Reuben Raffell linking up the play in the middle. The Raiders created chance after chance for the two front men; Scott Hughes and Jordan Parsons. But despite dominating the game in almost every area of the pitch for the rest of the half, the goal just wouldn’t come and when the whistle went for half time it was still 0-2.

Jack Gibson and Gabe Stamp came on in the second half, which started much the same way as the first had finished, with Raiders on the front foot. However it was Hemyock that scored next in a goal-mouth scramble to make it 0-3. The Raiders didn’t give up though and it wasn’t long before their efforts were rewarded when Scott Hughes found the back of the net from a cross by Adam Harris. And just a few moments later, Scott got his second to make it 2-3 and set up and exciting last 15 minutes.

The momentum with them, the Raiders created lots of chances as they looked for the equaliser. There were narrow misses, saves, blocks and the woodwork was hit a number of times. Hemyock did threaten to increase their lead at times on the counter attack, but Sam Hunt in goal handled everything that was thrown (or rather kicked) at him.

Despite their effort and impressive play, the Raiders were unable to conjure up an equaliser and the game ended in a disappointing 2-3 loss. However, the boy can rest assured that if they continue to put performances in like this, they will be winning many more games than they lose in the rest of the season.

Raiders MOTM: Scott Hughes

Team: Sam Hunt (GK), Tobi Pugsley (DF), Jaylen Burne (DF), Joe Tweedy (DF), Gabe Stamp (DF), Adam Harris (MF), Drew Birkhead (MF), Reuben Raffell (MF), Jack Gibson (MF), Scott Hughes (FW), Jordan Parsons (FW)

Message to all Under 11′s Raiders parents

I’ve not heard back from everyone yet, but it looks clear that there are not going to enough players available for a training session this weekend (7th August 2010). It also looks unlikely that there will be any coaches, or enough players available on the following weekend (14th August 2010)!

This is a shame, but was always going to be an issue at this time of year. As it stands the first training session will have to be the week after that on 21st August 2010 at Sidford. This will leave us with just 3 training sessions before the season starts, so we need to make the most of them!

At least we get a couple more weeks of lie-ins on Saturday mornings!

Those who haven’t entered their child’s availability on the poll yet, please could you still do this when you get the chance (http://www.doodle.com/9q26cnn64vsz383m). If the situation changes I’ll update you.

Phil