A crazy, goal filled game in Stevenage for the U8s Blues. Oliver Tallis in goal, Ronnie Hennessy at the back and Thomas Deane, Charlie Wick and Sebbie Ivison making up the front three – Tom Flanagan ready to come on from the bench. The Blues started with attacking intent from the 1st minute and were dominant early on. Ivison shot wide early on and just after, Deane raced on to a Wick through ball and used his pace to just get to the ball ahead of the keeper and finished from a near impossible angle. Then Wick intercepted the ball just outside the area, set himself and finished with a crisp, low shot into the far corner.
The shots were raining down on the Bedwell goal – Wick, then Flanagan, Flanagan again, then Wick, then Deane. Incredibly none went in until Wick and Deane combined with great teamwork and a nice one-two and Wick finishing well.
But all the domination counted for nothing as Bedwell found 3 goals in crazy 5 minute spell! Flanagan got the Blues back in front with a direct free-kick rifled in from 25 yards but Bedwell immediately struck back to go into the break level at 4-4.
The second half was even more dominant from the Blues but incredibly there were no goals at either end. I lost track of the number of chances falling to Tallis, Wick, Hennessey, Ivison and Flanagan but bad luck and a very strong keeper prevailed. The Bedwell attack was contained really well by a great defensive performance from Flanagan who deservedly picked up the man of the match award, shielding Deane in goal who had few saves to make.
A tough, physical game for the Blues and a great learning experience.
