Thank You Everyone!

Thank you to the Clarks for hosting a lovely evening on Saturday.  The kids all had a blast as far as I could tell.

And thank you all so much for the generous gift.  I'm looking forward to raising a glass or two to you and remembering our very successful season!

"The Gaffer"

Some Photographic Highlights...

Hi Guys! I hope you enjoy looking at these photos of our season!

Have a great weekend!

"The Gaffer"

A Thriller of a Game!

It was great to see everyone made it to our last game - our very last game!  It’s been a lot of fun and a great pleasure “coaching” all the guys this year.  How you have all changed over the years!  Wow!  I hope you look back on your time with the Strikers with fond memories.

This final game was far from being a for gone conclusion; we had to win it to ensure we could be considered Champions.  Having played the Falcons once already this season and won a hard fought 4-2 victory, we knew they would be seeking revenge and coming out fast and hard for us.  Our preparation was however more than thorough and everyone who wanted one had a donut! For the carbs of course.

Territorial battles appeared all over the pitch; player pitted against player, vying for supremacy. Charlie, Payden and Dominic resolutely defended their third of the field and contained the Falcons many desperate attacks.  Jack once again proved to be a safe pair of hands in goal and made a spectacular save right at the end of the first half; turning a blazing hot shot around the far post and away for a corner. But there was no time to take it as the Ref’ blew his whistle for the end of the first half! 

Nil-Nil at half time; some reorganization was necessary!  As our search for a goal in the first half had proved fruitless we decided to throw resources up the park, flooding the midfield and front line with attacking menace. Hadley was moved inside to central defence, her pace and tenacity could be relied on to close down any Falcon assaults!  This switch released the central defenders and midfield of their defensive shackles and soon enough Carson took a shot from distance that filled the net.  Rob followed a couple of minutes later; swiveling in the area and shooting high into the net. 2-0 and cruising.

But the Falcons were not done! They rallied hard, really hard, and hit the woodwork twice before being justly rewarded with a goal. Mitchel eased the “Strikers” nerves with a well taken third goal but again the Falcons adjusted and managed to craft a second goal which rattled and rocked the “Strikers”.  Could we hold on?  We were deep into “Squeaky Bum Time” with only seconds on the clock; the Falcons gunning for that equalizer… But mercifully the Ref.’ blew for time.  The Strikers could finally relax secure in the knowledge they had beaten the Falcons for a second time and clinching the Championship!

Well done guys!  You worked hard, worked as a team, supported each other and it reaped dividends!  Played 6, won 5, scored 35, conceded 16.  A great final season  and one I hope you will all remember! 

The Team:

Jack “The Cat” Kinnaman

Payden “Hot Foot” Rost

Charlie “Bites-your-ankles” Flynn

Dominic “Chopper” Eberhardt

Carson “Big Foot” Anderson

Mitchel “Bomber” Abeln

George “Angry Bird” Pratt

Georgia “Best” Buchanan

Hadley “Harrier” Lange

Elena “Legs” Wallach

“Lightning” Rob Ewing

Grace “Under Pressure” Daniels

Ian “Rocket” O’Leary

Coach:  Dan “12-1” Flynn

Manager: Phil “Gaffer” Ewing

Special Thanks to Scott “Busby” Purvines for all his hard work and dedication organizing the Strikers over the years. 

Scorers:

Carson 1

Rob 1

Mitchel 1

Champagne Moment: Jacks vital first half save deep in injury time which kept us at 0-0 going into half time.

Fans Favourite:  Madelyn for great sportsmanship; having scythed down an opposition player Madelyn selflessly turned round asked if she was OK and helped her back to her feet!  That’s the way the game should be played!

Thanks everyone!  It's been an absolute pleasure watching you practice and play competitively and fairly.  I hope you remember this season as long as I do!

The "Gaffer"   

Back to Earth with a Bump!

It's a funny old game football!  What a difference a week can make?  OK, so maybe, technically, it was actually "walk-over" given the opposition only had 7 to start with and we "dontated" Rob to their team in the first half.  However, the Eagles determination and often skillful play, coupled with some possible complacency in the Strikers ranks, ensured we were given a shock and it has to be said the Eagles were good value for their win.

Last week we beat our opposition 12-1.  This week we lost 5-3. What happened? What lessons can be learnt?

Well, first of all it has to be said that we didn't exactly play badly, we just weren't as hungry for the ball as the opposition was. Simply put, we missed too many chances to make the game safe and we were way too careless in defence. Too many times we progressed forward in search of a goal and left gaps at the back and we left our 'keeper hopelessly exposed to their penetrating attacks. We also didn't mark their most threatening players effectively enough, although there was some staunch defence at the back and on the sidelines. And in front of goal we squandered too many chances; passing may have yielded more goals than shooting on site did.

Elena closes in on an attack!

I'm sure we will bounce back again, but I suppose it was a good lesson to learn.  We must never be complacent and take a result for granted. We must always put the effort in and work hard if we are to be rewarded with a win.  So let's lift our heads and prepare for our final game next weekend.

Scorers:

Ian 2

George 1

Champagne Moment: Jack's fearless last ditch second half save at the feet of the opposition's strong striker Marcus.

Fans Favourite: Jack for the many saves and his brave antics "between the sticks".

"The Gaffer"

Team Sheet 10/19

We will be depleted this weekend.  As I post this we are down to 11 players but I know that won’t make a difference as we will all work hard and play to the best of our ability.  What coach could ask for more?

Anyway here is the team formation I am thinking about for Saturday.  I have moved George and Ian up front as this seems to be becoming a bit of a rotation for us. Mitchel and Carson will drop into defence.  I may reverse this in the second half.  Because Charlie is not able to come this weekend I will be asking Dominic to cover the sweeper role  that Charlie has been so effective in.  I’m sure Dominic will be an able deputy and his pace will mean will shouldn’t notice much difference here.  Madelyn will continue her rehabilitation and will play at left back (Dominic’s position) and Elena will play at right wing covering for Georgia who will also be away. 

I think this team will be well balanced and should produce more goals!!

“The Gaffer”

The Art of Management - Effective Delegation

I simply chose the wrong day to be away!  Which has to be the understatement of the season so far!  Under Coach Dan's tutelage the Strikers romped to a 12-1 win over another Eagles side (yes, I think there might be a whole eyrie of them out there).

But the goals came from all over the park.  Some new faces got on the score sheet as well as some of this seasons regular scorers.  Georgia got us off to a flying start and opened up the scoring after some slick interplay between Mitchel and George.  Soon after Rob slotted home having been released from the midfield by Jack who was finding more freedom as a result of Hadley's midfield persistence and dominance! Rob added a third from a precision cross delivered by Carson from the wing.

And yet we had some defending to do.  Charlie made sure we kept a clean sheet with a towering clearing header at the back and Payden was putting in a shift with some crunchingly hard tackles. On one occasion coming up with the ball after a seemingly impossible confrontation with 2 opposition players. Ouch!  This proved infectious and soon enough Elena was skipping past players as well.  All this meant Ian cut a lonely figure in the net and Madelyn had a gentle reintroduction to the game after a week layoff due to injury.

And yet the goals still flooded in.  Mitchel opened his account having received a slide-rule pass from "on loan" Luke. Rob finished his hat-trick after following up a shot that rebounded off the bar. And right at the end of the half Carson got in on the act as well.

6-0 at half time.  Coach Dan made some adjustments and moved Jack into goal and Ian out.  This soon reaped dividends and Ian soon showed he could play on the pitch as well; quickly beating two players with some fancy footwork, he was rewarded with 2 second half goals. Mitchel poached his second goal of the game by quickly reading and intercepting a careless pass by the Eagles across the front of their goal and he too completed a hat-trick this afternoon. In the end even the Eagles got in on the scoring with a fine goal that just beat a diving Jack!

Scorers:
Rob 3
Mitchel 3
Georgia 1
Ian 2
Luke 1
Carson 2

Champagne Moment:
The 12 - 1 result! Enough said!

Fans Favourite:
A Tie!  With 7 votes apiece Georgia and Rob. Georgia for her consistent harrying of the defense and Rob for his ruthless goal scoring!

Coach Dan's Quote:

"It was a team effort.  Everyone played a part and nearly everyone got a goal!"

"The Gaffer"

Team Sheet 10/12/13

As you all know there is no practice tomorrow evening so I decided to post the starting lineup today.  Coach Dan will talk you through the team and any other changes he thinks we need to make before and during the game.  My only adviceis :

• Play Hard
• Play Fair 
• Enjoy Yourselves

I think Grace is the only person who cannot make it to the game.  Madelyn is still testing her ankle out and we'll see if she wants to try it on Saturday... Anyway, here is the starting formation.

If anyone's parent would like to take some photos please can they email me the pics after the game. And if anyone wants to write the match report that can be mailed to me as well!

"The Gaffer"