At long last we are playing again after an absence of nearly two months, weather permitting that is.
Kick off is scheduled for 11:15am at Kings Marsh this coming Sunday February 7th 2010.
Let's all pray for some good weather

Hi Fatz,
The Ladies trained on the practice pitch last night, and the condition of the pitch is not good. Suggest you take a look.

Clive

Clive

I'll email Dave and get him to look at as well.
What's the likelihood of getting Sudbury Upper as both the U10's and U11's are at Kings Marsh as well on Sunday

Fatz

Hi Fatz,
The mini soccer pitches are in better condition than the practice pitch, and maybe playable depending on the rain.
The problem with playing at the upper school, is that if every team plays their matches here, the costs will soare, and we have not budget for this in the original signing on fee, and not sure on finances of club until we meet at committee meeting Monday. Once again all games at Delphi are off this weekend, so it is becoming a very big problem. My only suggestion for now is see if the away team wants to play you at there ground, but you will have to notify the league on any changes as well as the referee.

Regards

Clive

I'll forward comment onto Dave to make decision as he would need to notify their manager

Well the game went ahead and how lovely to see the boys playing so well. A well deserved win with some fantastic football. Defence played some GREAT football ,midfield was cool and collected when they needed to be and fed the ball up to the boys up front for some fab goals(midfield even getting a couple themselves). Thoroughly enjoyable game to watch. I think it was 7 - 0 but I may have lost count in my excitement Well done boys you all played fantastic.

Frosty I totally agree. Considering the boys hadn't play a game since Dec 13th they bonded very well together as if they only played last week. It was a pleassure to watch and I too must congratulate the boys for a fantastic performance.

Match report below, and for your information it was 7-0

1st Half (4-0)

1^st Round of the Colchester Open Cup and AFC were given a home tie against “C” League opponents Little Oakley Reds.

AFC started the match very strongly and put Oakley under pressure. Matthews causing trouble down the right forcing an early corner. A short one to Lingard whose cross was met by the head of Addison, but was comfortably saved by the keeper. Craig dominated the middle of the field winning aerial balls and tackling well. As AFC grew in confidence Dodd won the ball on the halfway line and threaded a lovely weighted ball to Addison, but again the ball fell into the keepers arms.

With 8 minutes gone Craig picked up a loose ball in the middle of the field, turned a couple of players and slotted past the keeper; 1-0. Oakley tried to break through but AFC’s defense of Brett, Dodd and Heywood were strong.

20 minutes gone and Addison threaded the ball through the Oakley defense for Lingard to run onto and score AFC’s second; 2-0. Within minutes Addison tried to get on the score sheet himself, but his shot was inches wide of the post. Cowley scored AFC’s third on 23 minutes when he picked the ball up in the middle of the field, turned three players, dummied the keeper to slot home to score a fantastic individual goal; 3-0.

Irwin on for Malone started slowly but got into the flow of the game when he won the ball in the middle of the field and, like much of AFC’s passing today, was beautiful weighted for Addison to run onto and score just above the outreached arms of the keeper on 28 minutes; 4-0



2nd Half (7-0)

AFC again started strongly in the second half and again showed their dominance as the boys switched the ball across the field using both wings and supporting each other. The link ups between each player was a pleasure to watch as they piled on the pressure.

The first of several free kicks by Brett found Addison alone in the 18 yard box, but his shot was rushed and went out for a goal kick. Matthews had a much better half and his interplay with Cowley was lovely. They supported each other going forward and retreating. A Matthews cross saw a goal mouth scramble but the ball just would not go in.

Another goal mouth scramble saw the ball creep out to Cowley who smashed the ball home into the back of the net; 5-0. Marshall & Lingard were also getting in on the act as they too passed and moved between each other down the left wing. Heywood supporting as well passed to Lingard on 43 minutes whose cross was slightly mishit and ended up over the keeper and into the back of the net; 6-0.

Although it was clear that AFC were the stronger team all credit to the boys for not losing composure and carried on playing attractive football in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Cowley won the ball on the edge of the box and his cross into the box was punted over by Craig. Another Brett free kick went wide to Cowley on the right and his cross into the middle of the box was met by Craig to score his second and AFC’s seventh on 49 minutes; 7-0

The boys put in a great performance today and the way they bonded was a pleasure to watch. Well done to all of you

Man of the Match was awarded to Jamie Cowley

As a result of our home win we have another home tie in the next round to Lexden Saints Reds on Sunday 28 February 2010.
Bring it on

Hi Nick,
Please find enclosed Gareth King's email address, please can you email him a copy of last nights committee meeting when next posting?

Regards

Clive

garethking456@btinternet.com