Saturday 21st November 2009

Ist XI v North Cestrian Grammar (Home)

Lost 0-6 

A very strong opposition controlled the game and despite the efforts throughout of all the boys they were unable to threaten the opposition goal. North Cestrian were solid in defence, tenacious in midfield and creative up front and with a number of the College players under par it was one way traffic for most of the game.

The defence held out for 20 minutes of the first half before a cross was deflected into his own goal by George Bryant.  It is to the team’s credit that they managed to block and scramble away the numerous attacks by North Cestrian’s incisive forwards. The midfield harried and closed down but the impetus gained last week was never repeated. Half time 0-1.

The score line slightly flatters the opposition as with 10 minutes left and the score 0-3 the College still continued to push forward and did manage a couple of attempts on goal. However the opposition were full of confidence and scored 3 late quality goals; still it could have been a lot worse- ask Wigan!

Despite the combined efforts of all 16 players used the energy and purpose of last week was missing and the combative nature of the game was on this occasion too much for a number of players.

Man of the match; Alex Shaw: Never gave up.

Mr Cutler

Wednesday 10th 2009

1st XI v King’s (Away)-Friendly

Lost 4 – 1.

Goalscorer: Tom Ogden

Under the floodlights and sporting a new 4-1-4-1 formation, the 1st XI football team took on a strong King’s 1st XI.  The College were fantastic and matched the opposition stride for stride. Stout defending and strong tackling by Alex Schwarz in midfield kept King’s at bay for large parts of the first half, yet at half time Abbey Gate were somehow 3 nil down.  The only difference was that King’s had taken their 3 chances and the College forwards had failed to find the back of the net with theirs.

The second half saw the team grow in confidence and the continual pressure exerted by all the outfield players began to tell as cracks started to appear in the King’s rear guard.  Chances continued to come and go at both ends until King’s went 4 nil up following an excellent strike from outside the penalty box.

The fantastic team spirit exhibited by all the College players did not diminish however and with 2 minutes to go, a superbly weighted through ball put Tom Ogden through on goal.  Running in on goal at an acute angle, and with the goalkeeper advancing swiftly, Tom managed to slide the ball in at the near post sparking wild celebrations amongst the team, with the only player not joining in being goalkeeper George Bryant (well 90 yards is a long way to run all in one go!!). 

This was no more than the team deserved and certainly they can take great heart from the fact that they were the better team in the second half.  This was an excellent team display and they should approach future fixtures with great confidence.

G Allmand 

Saturday 14th November 2009

Ist XI v Oswestry School (Away)

Won 1 - 5 

Goal scorers: Ryan Wan (3) & Tom Ogden (2).

A highly enjoyable performance where every member of the squad made a telling contribution. On a windswept morning the College soon were in the ascendancy with Ryan Wan, Chris Simmons and Alex Schwarz controlling the midfield with clever possession football and driving forward runs. Only a Tom Ogden close range header separated the teams for most of the first half, as the College forwards squandered a number of chances. Five minutes before half time Ryan Wan curled a free kick over the keeper to extend the lead but Oswestry immediately replied with a well taken penalty. Half time 1-2.

The second half saw Oswestry rally and only resilient defending from Alex Shaw and Nick Hughes and some excellent saves from George Bryant keep the lead intact. The forwards ran tirelessly and Edward Reid managed to take the ball off the keeper and pass to Finlay Pilkington who put a lovely flighted cross into the unguarded goal for Ryan Wan to cleverly finish. Further Oswestry pressure followed but the passing and movement was far superior to the opposition and further goals followed from Ryan Wan and Tom Ogden. The final goal epitomized the performance with excellent possession and a clever dummy from Ryan Wan allowing Tom to slot home confidently.

A fantastic result and great credit to the team who in the last seven days have improved beyond recognition and I hope they enjoyed the game as much as I did, even though we finished in driving rain!

Man of the match; Ryan Wan: An excellent all round contribution.

Mr Cutler

Saturday 7th November 2009

1st XI v Shrewsbury School (Away)-Friendly

Lost 4 – 0.

A result that definitely does not tell the whole story.  After 15 minutes the College had the chance to take the lead from a penalty but a fine save by the Shrewsbury keeper denied Ryan Wan the chance to establish a lead.  This miss proved to be costly as Shrewsbury established a comfortable 3 – 0 lead by half time being able to score without really having to do too much. 

The 1st XI did not give up and battled hard maintaining possession for much of the game in the second half but being unable to create clear cut chances.  A move to a 4 – 4 – 2 system improved the situation and Chris Simmons was unlucky to hit the post following the best move of the match.  Shrewsbury added a late 4th goal but the 1st X1 were competitive to the end.  13 players were used in the match including three Year 11 pupils who acquitted themselves very well.

Man of the match:  Jonathon Steventon

Mr Meadows

1st XI FOOTBALL Chester and District 7 a side tournament
 
The squad of 10 players who competed in the Chester and District 7 a side tournament were as good as any in the tournament.  They did not make the final however, as despite creating numerous goal scoring opportunities they only scored in the 4th of their 4 games.

Chris Simmons, who was the man of the tournament for Abbey Gate due to his all round ability and work ethic, therefore has the dubious honour of finishing as the College's top scorer in the competition; with 1 goal. 

Alex Schwarz and Antoine Weir both made impressive College debuts and this bodes well for games in the future.  It was a solid squad performance but lots more shooting practice required.

Mr Allmand

1st XI FOOTBALL

v Shrewsbury School (Away)- Friendly

Lost 3-2

Goalscorers: Ryan Wan and Khalid Al Rafai

The College 1st XI were narrowly beaten by the odd goal in five in this entertaining match.  Despite a number of pre-match injuries, an injury to centre half Nicky Hughes after 10 minutes and a number of players suffering from cramp near the end, the players gave their all and can count themselves unlucky to lose. 

The College scored well worked goals and despite losing three goals, the defence was marshaled very well by Alex Shaw; the non stop energy of Chris Simmons was also impressive. 

The College hit the post and the bar and then in the final minute of the match a downward header by Tom Ogden bounced up, over the keeper and out to safety off the underside of the bar.  With a little more luck in front of goal the College would have walked away victorious, which was no more than they deserved.  A spirited performance which bodes well for the future.

Mr Allmand