Royals Match Report 2006-07

Royals celebrate runners up spot
Royals 4-0 Ludlow North (League, 24-04-07)

A convincing 4-0 victory by the Royals against Ludlow North was enough to reward them with runners up place in the U12s division 1 of the SSJFL.

Royals came into this game knowing that a single point from their last two games would be enough to clinch the runners up spot. Changes were made to the starting lineup with Smith, Groom and Keugler all being relegated to the bench and Weynberg, Robinson and Holtz all brought in to start.

Skipper Miles won the toss and elected to kick down the slope in the first half. Royals settled quickly, and the pre match talk which was to look to maintain composure on the ball seemed to be working.

When Ludlow attacked, they attacked fast and the pace of their forwards often caused difficulties for the Royals defence. In particular Royals defence looked weak from set pieces with no one brave enough to head the ball away, rather they would duck out the way of it. These weaknesses could easily have cost Royals the points in this game, had Ludlow had someone to capitalise on them.

The breakthrough came on 12 minutes when Royals' keeper Holtz gathered the ball. He kicked out a long clearance that landed two thirds into the opposing half. The ball bounced high on the dry pitch and the Ludlow keeper misjudged it on coming to collect. The ball bounced over his head and into the goal to make the score 1-0. A truly remarkable goal.

It didn't take long for Royals to score again. A good move from defence saw Green receive the ball just inside his own half and see Bourne free on the left flank. Bourne took it round his marker and from just inside the penalty area, sliced it with the outside of his left foot over the goalkeepers head and into the far corner of the goal to make it 2-0.

Half time saw Smith replace Weynberg in midfield, fresh legs being introduced for the uphill drive in the second half. Royals were now playing into the wind as well as going up the slope, but their superior fitness meant that they were able to continue as they had left off. The change saw Smith helping out in defence and acting bravely in his own penalty area, by heading the ball away from several crosses and corners.

12 minutes into the second hall Lewis made it 3-0 with a typical centre forward's goal. Receiving a pass and turning past his marker, he was able to rifle home from 10 yards.

Groom and Keugler were introduced at this stage, replacing Lewis and Holtz respectively. Royals maintained their dominance until the end and were able to score a further goal to make the score 4-0. Riley robbed a Ludlow attacker of the ball and found Hearle with his accurate pass. Hearle beat his man on the wing and cut in towards the goal. With only the keeper to beat he unselfishly saw Bourne waiting unmarked and passed to him. Bourne had the simplest of tasks to slot home for the fourth.

A great performance by the Royals, playing some of the best football that they have played since Christmas. They now have one more league to play and two cup finals. Hopefully they will be peaking in time for the finals.

Team: Holtz (Keugler 45), Riley, Agnew, Brayne, Robinson, Hearle, Weynberg (Smith 30), Miles, Green, Bourne, Lewis (Groom 40)