U10 Reds played Orton Rangers Reds earlier in the season and were very unlucky to lose by 1 goal in a game they had dominated. Would they be able to convert dominance into a win?

My favourite away game as its only 2 mins walk from my house, so chance for an extra cuppa! A very cold morning ( I am sure the parents will agree!) but the pitch was playable and we looked to make a positive start. James and I emphasised again that all our best moments this season have come from short passing, and the boys agreed to try and keep that going, rather than try too hard to dribble past too many opponents.

Straight from the kick off Pumas attacked and made several chances which Ortons very good keeper did well to save. Filip made several good runs but we were not able to get the ball to him in space. He managed a chance or two he created through hard work, but could not get the goal he deserved. Jake came on for his turn up front and the same seemed to happen. Despite our pre match chat the lads could not seem to find the excellent runs of our Strikers. The midfield were still seeing plenty of the ball, this team has really developed their skills winning the ball back, just a little tweaking on how we use it and we would push on surely? Unfortunately Orton made a swift attack down the wing and managed to take the lead with a mis hit cross. Ortons other attacks were all dealt with well by Charlie in goal, who had a super game and showed real concentration - top stuff Charlie. Despite all our efforts in midfield we came in a goal down at half time.

I spoke to the boys again about looking up for the short passes, and not wasting the excellent overlaps from our wings, and our front mens runs into space. They said they would try harder on this, but I didn't expect the improvement we saw second half.

Early in the half the ball broke to Jack on the wing, he pushed it into the run of Sav who finished neatly as he broke into the area for a well deserved equaliser. Good work lads. The penny seemed to drop and the midfield then started playing with more confidence and maturity, making excellent choices on when to pass and when to dribble. Malik and Dexter were regularly swapping positions to drive forward, great to see that they have the intelligence to cover when the other goes forward. We were taking a few more risks attacking but Adam had a very solid game again at the heart of the defence, clearing up when necessary and counter attacking with accurate passes or solid runs of his own.

Sav managed to get a second of the game from another pass and move on the edge of the box to put Pumas in front very deservedly so, lovely finish. A miss shortly after (from another great build up) did not affect his confidence and he managed to complete his Hat Trick a few minutes later. That's a second Hat Trick of the Season, well done Sav. We were jokingly arguing about how many he had for the season pre game, and he made sure I knew how many he had at the end of the game! (9 now by the way, you are not claiming 10!!).

With time to go the next goal was crucial, we did not want to let Orton have a way back into the game, and the boys kept probing with the though balls I have been asking (almost begging!) them to try all season, and we were well on top. Another through ball found Jake in the box, he spun and hit a shot the keeper could only parry, but got up and managed to prod home the rebound for his 5th of the season. Well done Jake - I know he has found it hard at times after spending a couple of seasons mainly in goal but if you keep making the runs the chances will come.

Orton did manage to pull one back in the last few minutes but Pumas had done enough in the previous 20 to run out clear winners.

James and I spoke to the boys at the end about their second half display - whatever the result that is exactly how we would like the boys to play. So many games recently we have dominated the ball but not created the chances, but today they created so many, and managed to put 4 of them away. I know there is goals in this team, and we seem to have improved our defence so much in the last couple of months. This was probably our best game of the season (certainly our best half) and every lad played his part. I am so proud of the way this team is improving, even the games we lose are close and competitive. Our first few games seem a long way back now! Lets keep it going to the end of the season lads!