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"

Sportsmanship!

Strikers!  in order to promote sportsmanship Parks and Rec have asked us to sign up to the website that is on the end of the following link (click on it)...

Good Sports

From what I've seen so far we are second to none! And to add to the incentive to sign P&R have said...

"To get your team signed up a go here. You can have your players, Coaches, Parents & Fans all sign one. The team with the highest in game sportsmanship score and the most pledges sign will win the $50 pizza party at the Award Ceremony Tuesday 12/10."

So let's all sign up and eat Pizza!

"The Gaffer"

4-2 Derby Victory!

A grey autumnal day set a dull scene for this needle derby game. But the quality of the play and the commitment shown by the Strikers splashed colour all over the field!  4-2 didn't do the team justice; we could, and should, have scored more. The Falcons received a mauling comparable to the humiliation Manchester United got in the Manchester derby 2 weeks ago.

The Strikers made a flying start with a power strike by first half “defender” Ian who was clearly carrying his form from last week into this game.  That first was swiftly followed up by a neat finish from Carson, who this week was playing in a much more advanced role along with Mitchel.  Two-Nil at half time, nothing more than the Strikers deserved.

Mitchel: a study in gritty determination

At half time some adjustments to the formation were made.  Mitchel and Carson were moved back into defence and George and Ian formed the striking partnership up front; Rob still playing the linking role between the defense at attack!  This soon proved fruitful and the Strikers soon cruised into a 4-0 lead; Ian scoring his (and the team’s) first Hat-Trick of the season.  And what a day to do it on!  Happy Birthday Ian!

But maybe that lead lead to some complacency, or perhaps the team was simply exhausted through all the running and cover play they did.  Hadley, playing in defense (and out of her normal position) for the first half, was immense in her concentration and tackling and Georgia was a clear and present danger on the right wing; her direct game troubled the Falcons all afternoon! Grace and Elena impressed on the left wing where they shared responsibility both in attack and in defense and on many occasions they delayed opposition attacks just long enough for the Strikers defense and midfield to drop back and clear away the danger. And when they did get past, Jack and Charlie were like the proverbial Rock of Gibraltar in Goal and they certainly didn't deserve any blame in the 2 goals the Strikers conceded in the last 10 minutes.  If ever the term “consolation goal” was applicable in a game, it was today for the Falcons!

Scorers:
Ian 3
Carson 1

Champagne Moment: Some sleek second half passing between George, Rob and Georgia in the second half.  Unfortunately a nasty "bobble" deprived Georgia of a what would have been the goal of the game. Kirkwood Parks and Rec' will be given a stern talking to and an explanation for the inconsistent nature of the pitch will be demanded!

Fans Favourite: Charlie. For great, fearless defending that bought us time to regroup; for creative distribution from the back and linking well with the midfield and front players.  Thanks go to Maddie for polling all those die-hard fans who turned out to watch. I hope your foot is recovered for next week.

Next week (at 12.45pm) we will be playing the other Charter School in the league but very sadly I have to go to a meeting which prevents me from attending the game.  I will however be at practice and Coach Dan has kindly offered to fill in for me on Saturday.  Well played today everyone!

"The Gaffer"

Derby Day Formation

An important game looms for us against the Falcons this Saturday... so of course it makes complete sense to try a change in our formation! Well, at least to start with.  We will be without Madelyn (but hopefully she'll be on the sidelines) and Payden (who is away) but this time we will have a sub; Grace will start on the sidelines.  Although we have just one sub I know we have the stamina to play the whole game hard!  Just remember to drink lots of water and come over to the side of the pitch for a drink if you need one.

So here is the formation.  I want to give Carson and Mitchell a run-out up front.  Ian and George will be centre-backs but I hope adventurous ones!  Elena will fill in for Payden at right back to start with and Rob will drop into midfield to act as the link between George/Ian and Carson/Mitchell.  Make sense???

And don't forget the "Fans Favourite" award is up for grabs again...

First "Double" of the season!

The Strikers completed an emphatic "double" over the Eagles this morning! A result which was even more impressive given the team was reduced to 10 players with no substitutes available.  Great thanks go out to Nicholas Clark for ably stepping into midfield to cover for the injured Maddie Clark.

Georgia "Best" takes a shot!

The squad was mostly unchanged from last week's win, apart from Ian O'Leary playing between the sticks in the first half and Jack Kinnaman playing in an advanced midfield role.

As we were playing the Eagles again this week we knew what to expect from them and sure enough they came out strong. Our defending had to be sure footed and our attack had to make the most of the opportunities they were presented with.

Our wingers Georgia and Hadley hustled and harried and made enough space for center back Carson Anderson to steal a goal!  Rob Ewing poached another in what looked more like wrestling bout than a game of football but, as they say, "they all count"!

And then Maddie went down in a brave challenge with the Eagles strongest player. Sadly she limped off and the Strikers were down to 10!  We closed ranks and reorganized, but our ambitions of playing Mitchel and Carson up front had to be put on ice for another time.  Maddies brother Nicholas was rapidly signed up to play in midfield and Jack Kinnaman and Ian swapped positions for the second half. 3-3 at half time!

The second half produced some heroics from Jack in goal; bravely diving down to collect the ball at the feet of the Eagles centre forward. Dominic and Peyden applied themselves spectacularly in defense and Hadley surprised the Eagles with her constant running and hard play; even running off a knock she picked up to return to the game just moments later!

Rob, Charlie and Ian steadied the ship with crucial second half goals that more than made up for an uncharacteristic penalty miss.

By the end of the game the team was both exhausted and elated and ex-coach Purvines (in the crowd for his first return since retirement; and in a scene somewhat reminiscent of recent events at Old Trafford) seemed suitably impressed! 

We won't be playing the Eagles again this season. They were hard and gave us a run for our money these past two games. But that is now past, it's time to plan for our next "Double..."

Scorers:

Carson 2

Rob 2

Ian 1

Charlie 1

Champagne Moment: Ian's second half goal; struck from the edge of the area, the ball was still rising as it practically burst the net! Great way to open your account!

Fans Favourite: Dominic for his resolute, tenacious, yet clean, defending. He kept his cool and held his position throughout the game. Well played and well deserved!

"The Gaffer"

Tomorrow's Game

Great practice tonight, but a shame about the lights!  I'll check next week that we will have them on up to 7.30pm.  Tomorrow we play a Charter School Team at 10.15am.  I don't think we need to be at the pitch super early. Just make sure you're there before 10.00am.

Team News:

We played really well last week and I want to build on our success without disrupting our shape and our style too much. So, we will start out pretty much as we did last week...

However, tomorrow we will we have Ian O'Leary in the squad.  Ian likes to play in goal or as striker; an interesting combination of skills we will try to play to!  I will try both Carson and Mitchell in attacking positions during the game and I will therefore move the team around to accommodate this; Rob and George will move back in order to make space up front. Ian and Jack will share goalkeeping duties; each will have a half.  I will probably rotate substitutes; boy for boy and girl for girl.

See you tomorrow!

The "Gaffer"

Fans Favourite Award!

To be unveiled this weekend... 

the "Fans Favourite" award. 

Given to the best player as judged by supporters, family, BFFs, whatever... If you're watching the game have your say!  It's strictly non-scientifically evaluated; you vote for whomever you think deserved the most recognition in the game.

See you all at practice on Friday...
"The Gaffer"

"Strike a Light" What a Way to Start!

The season finally got underway on a glorious late summer afternoon; there was hardly a cloud in sight to distract the team from the task in hand. With just 11 players facing a mighty squad of at least 15 Charter School kids, focus was essential!

The Strikers leapt out of the blocks and before the crowd had time to settle and start their meat pies, Rob Ewing conjured up a blistering run down the left wing and produced a sure footed cross that picked out Georgia Buchanan.  She kept cool under pressure and slotted the ball home. 1-0!

Further goals were swiftly added by Rob Ewing (2), George Pratt (1) and Maddie Clark (1). By half time the Strikers were in control and winning 5-1; the threat from the Charter school nullified by some stout and resolute defending by Payden Rost, Michell Abeln, Carson Anderson and Domininc Eberhardt.

In the second half the opposition's fresh legs provided a new challenge for the team. But the Strikers weren't going to fold easily.  Rookie winger Elena Wallach got stuck in and proved to be a real handful. Charlie Flynn was a human dynamo playing at sweeper; tireless in his application and when the opposition did breach the defenses Jack Kinnaman made some crucial stops that maintained the Strikers advantage.

The final score of 8-5 was nothing less than deserved.

Scorers:
Rob Ewing (3)
Georgia Buchannan (2)
George Pratt (2)
Madelyn Clark (1)

Champagne Moment:
"Total Football".  Mitchell to Georgia, Georgia to Rob, on his left peg... goal! A thing of beauty!

See you next week... 10.15 am at NKMS, and for practice on Friday evening.
"The Gaffer"