Doncaster Rovers U10 Yellow 1s
Saturday, 5 July (home) vs DRSC Yellow 2s
Y1s fall short of 10 in a row
"Who'd be a coach" were the thoughts from the manager's dug-out as the Y1s nine-game winning streak came to an end against intra-club opponents the Y2s.
With Atomica Coffee Manager of the Month, Andy Exley, on seemingly the longest holiday in history, the Y1s pursuit of 10 consecutive wins was always going to be a tough ask against a team determined to square the ledger after they fell to the Y1s earlier in the season.
As so it proved with the first half opening on an even keel, both sides looking to crack the defences of two of the more miserly back lines in the league. The early signs were encouraging for the Y1s with Yianni, Alexander, Jonathon S and Ari exchanging some neat passes on the left to put our opponents under pressure. Despite peppering in and around the 18 yard box, we couldn't quite find the final pass or shot on goal to finish off the good lead up work.
Some 15 minutes in and we started to fall back in the contests, allowing our opponents space and time on the ball. It wasn't too long before we were punished for failing to clear what seemed like an innocuous foray from the Y2s, the ball bypassing three of our players before landing at the feet of a Y1 attacker in front of goal to slot home.
1-0 down and we needed to raise the intensity if were going to get back in the game. The boys come out in the second half with instructions to pick up the tempo and attack the ball with more vigour. Jeremy, Jason, Matt V, Lachie and Jonathan M were rotating across the backline looking to repel the Y2s attack, while James, Matt V, Jacob and Jonathon N were doing their best to find an opening for our forwards.
As the match progressed we were lacking our usual spark all over the park to really trouble our opponents and, with 12 minutes remaining, another defensive lapse saw our opponents chip in for a second and ultimately deciding goal. There was nothing Kirk could do with either of the goals.
We played out the game to the end but it wasn't to be. A jaded-looking Y1s going down 2-0 for their first defeat of the season. We welcome back Josh next week who will add the physical presence we've missed in the past couple of weeks and, of course, Andy who can well and truly have the hot potato that is U10s coaching!
Thanks to all the parents who chipped in with words of encouragement for the boys throughout the match, and to Memo and Patrick who helped from the bench.
Next week: Away match against Bulleen, 11am kick-off at Veneto Club Bulleen
Season so far: P10, W9, D0, L1, Gls For 46, Gls Ag 10
C'mon the Y1s
