Moreton Hall Youth Football Club

 Date

9th November 2008 

League 

Needham Market A 

1st February 2009 

Ipswich Valley Rangers B 

Needham Market Phoenix A  

 Date

5th April 2009 

 HT

3 

Fleur 2

Gauld 2

White 2

Williams                                                                                                                                                                            

 FT

7 

2 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

 

 

 

Hall entertained a much improved Needham A but in the end were much too strong for them. 

Hall started well and were soon ahead when Williams finished from a White cross.  Hall’s second soon followed when a great passing move on the left involving Scarfe, Warner and Williams was struck home by Fleur.  White reacted quickly in the box when the ball fell to his feet to make it three.  However Hall conceded a sloppy goal just before half time.  Hall didn’t let up in the second half.  Dodd slotted a pass to Rookyard whose cross was met by Gauld, his effort coming off the underside of the bar for White to head home.  Soon after Gauld broke free, giving Needham’s keeper no chance.  Needham weren’t out of it however and broke out to finishing well from a ball over the top.  The pace of Gauld and Fleur was too much for Needham’s defence and both scored late on to seal the points.

Despite not getting on the score sheet Warner demonstrated a touch and awareness on the ball that won him Man of the Match.

 

 Date

29th March 2009 

 HT

1 

 Williams                                                                                                                                      

 FT

1 

3 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

 

 

  

Hall were the better side for much of the game but failed to put their chances away, especially in the first half, when Valley’s keeper was outstanding.

Hall’s passing interchanges led to a chance for Firrell but valley’s keeper was up to the challenge. Valley broke out of defence and scored against the run of play.  Hall continued to dominate the play and further chances fell to Fleur, Williams and Firrell.  Fleur was unlucky when his clever chip hit the top of the bar and Gauld brought a fantastic save out of valley’s keeper low down to his left.  It was Williams who leveled the score with a fine long range effort.  Further pressure by Hall brought more saves out of Valley’s keeper who through his efforts kept the scores level at half time.

The second half was more even.  Both sides pressed.  Hall’s defence had been good all game but Mills was unable to deal with a cross that fell to the feet of a valley striker who couldn’t miss. White’s run set up Williams again his effort going just over. Mills saved well tipping a good effort over the bar, just before a good passing move involving White and Gauld put Williams in whose effort was again well saved.  Hall pushed on for the equalizer and enviably left gaps at the back resulting in Valley getting their third.

Hall’s play deserved more today and on another day the goals will go in.  Lets hope the return fixture brings Hall better luck.  Williams did all that was asked and fully deserved his Man of the Match award.

 Date

15th March 2009 

 HT

1 

Fleur 4

White 3

Warner                                                                                                                 

 

 FT

8 

1 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

 Date

8th March 2009 

 HT

1 

 Rookyard                                                                  

 

 FT

1 

1 

 Competition

Vase 

 AET

1 

1 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

3 

5 

 

Hall slid out of the cup though the lottery of penalties but really should have sealed the game in the first half.

Hall dominated the first half with some nice attacking football however it was Tollgate that took the lead early on when a clearance rebounded off a Tollgate player into the net.  Williams brought a fine save out of Tollgate’s keeper before Gauld and Fleur went close.  Rookyard leveled the scores when he picked the ball up on the right, cut inside and hit a long range shot that gave the keeper no chance.  Hall continued to have the better of the half but couldn’t add to their score through some stout defending.

The second half was much more even with few chances falling to either side.  Tollgate should have taken the lead for a second time but failed to convert the chance. However the final whistle blew with scores even.  The lads tired in extra time and the game got very scrappy and with few attempts on goal, penalties were evitable.  Five brave lads from both sides stepped up but it was Tollgate who won the day. 

Hall huffed and puffed today and it it wasn’t for a brilliant centre half’s performance by man of the match Robinson, Hall would have lost the game well before penalties were needed.  Hall’s performance will need to improve if they are to get anything form the game against Ipswich valley rangers A.

Good luck to Tollgate in the next round.

 

 Date

1st March 2009

 HT

0

 

 FT

3

0

 Competition

League

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away

 PENS

 

 

 

Hall came up against a very determined Needham A side today.

Hall never really got going in the first half and it was Needham that looked the most likely to score especially in the first ten minutes.  Mills however saved brilliantly to keep the scores level.  Halls first real effort on goal came when Betts slotted a lovely pass through to Williams who was unlucky to see his effort go just wide. 

The half time team talk seemed to galvanize Hall into action and they never looked like conceding in the second half.  Defensively, Henwood, Robinson, Bevan and Scarfe were much more solid which provided the confidence for the midfield to take the game to Needham.  Amps went close just before Fleur toe poked home the first of his three.  Betts was running the midfield by now with Williams always looking dangerous.  Scarfe and Warner played some nice football down the left but it was Fleur who settled the nerves with a fantastic take, dribble around two defenders and cool finish.  Fleur got his hat-trick with a strong right foot shot from the edge of the box.

There were a few good individual performances today but as a team Hall didn’t really start to play until the final 20 minutes.  It was good however to see the lads keep going and grind out the result.  Any other day a hat-trick would have won Fleur man of the match and it was close.  However, Betts did all that was asked of him today through-out the whole hour, tackling strongly and looking for the killer pass and he was awarded Man of the match as a result.

 

 Date

15th February 2009 

 HT

0 

Fleur 2

Robinson 2

Williams 2                                                                                 

 

 FT

6 

0 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

 

 

 

Hall had to work hard for the first forty minutes of the game to ensure they picked up 3 points.

Needham started brightly and should have taken the lead when they blasted over the bar from 12 yards.  Bevan defended well to deny Needham further.  Needham had a series of corners which Hall resolutely defended.  Mills was called into action for a second time saving well at his near post.  Hall ‘s attacks in the first half were few and far between but defensively Henwood, Betts, Scrafe, Bevan and Firrell, remained strong.  Young worked hard in midfield.  Half time came with honours even.

The first ten minutes of the second half was uneventful.  With twenty minutes to go Hall went into attack mode as Robinson and Betts took control of the midfield battle and Rookyard and Warner started to use the flanks. Betts controlled the ball well and slotted a lovely pass through to Fleur who took his chance well.  This goal opened the flood gates as Needham’s heads started to drop.  Robinson’s header from the goal kick found Williams who finished expertly for Hall’s second.  A few minutes later Williams picked the ball up again rounding the keeper.  He looked as if he’d run the ball out of play but somehow he managed to slot home from a very tight angle.  Fleurs’ pace was too much for Needham and he slotted home his second and Hall’s Fourth.  Robinson timed his run into the box with perfection, slotting home a William’s corner.  Robinson repeated the exercise again to finish the scoring. 

This was truly a game of two halves.  Hall put on a good defensive performance first half which set up an attacking second half display.  Man of the Match Henwood’s defending was flawless, especially in the first half which provided Hall the platform for the second half display.

 

 Date

1st February 2009 

 HT

1 

Fleur 2

Warner                                                           

 

 FT

3 

0 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

Despite the freezing conditions both sets of lads played their hearts out.  Hall played some fluent football with Rookyard, Warner and Williams linking well.  Betts and Firrell in the centre of midfield battled hard , neutralizing Walsham’s strong midfield pairing. Hall domination wasn’t however turned into goals until late on in the first half when Williams and Fleur combined to set up Warner who fired home from close range.  McClure, in Walsham’s goal, saved well to deny White.

The second half saw Young, developing well as a midfield player, and Firrell come more into the game.  Firrell was particularly unlucky not to be on the score sheet with two efforts that just went wide.  Dodd made a number of important interceptions and did what all good players should do, played the simple pass for Williams who was able to set up Fleur for the first of his two goals.  The back four of Henwood, Bevan, Robinson and Scarfe held solid resulting in Mills having little to do for much of the game.  He was called into action late on however to smother the ball at the feet of a Walsham forward.  Fleur sealed the win with a strong shot into the roof of the net.

Hall are beginning to gel more as a team and are starting to show some nice link-up play and fluent passing moves.  All of lads played well today and choosing man of the match was particularly difficult. Warner just pipped the others for the award, demonstrating skill, awareness and most importantly determination to win the ball and/or beat his marker.

 

 Date

18th January 2009 

 HT

0 

 

                                                          

 FT

0 

5 

 Competition

Open Cup Q-Final

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 Date

14th December 2008 

 HT

1 

 Willimas 2

 Dodd                                                

 FT

4 

1 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

  

Hall put on a fine foot balling performance to beat a battling Tollgate side.

Hall started well and were soon on the attack.  Williams fine run and turn was ended when he was tripped in the box.  Williams stepped up to take the penalty himself, coolly slotting the ball into the right hand side of the gaol. Tollgate got players behind the ball, making it difficult for Hall to find a way through, despite their relentless pressure.  Tollgate broke out and would have levelled if it wasn’t for great covering by Robinson.  Mills saved well from a Tollgate free kick, whilst at the other end Gauld’s strike went close.  The game then passed through a more even phase and Bett’s hard battling in midfield was required to keep Tollgate at bay.  Warner and Amps looked sharp and Rookyards’ skill and pace was an every present danger.  However, Tollgate scored when Hall stopped playing taking more notice of a conversation between the linesman and referee.  Just before the whistle blew for half time, Firrell had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled off-side.  Half time came with scores even.

Hall were quickly out of the blocks and went ahead within 13 seconds of the restart.  Fleur’s pace and determination allowed him to score.  Hall went further ahead when Dodd met a Williams’ corner to finish well.  Hall’s defence of Henwood, Bevan and Robinson were able to cope with all that Tollgate had to throw at them.  Firrell took on the right hand side of  Tollgate’s defence on a number of occasions resulting in good crosses or shots on goal.  Betts working alongside Dodd continued to win the ball back for Hall to set up further attacks.  Fleur and Gauld worked the ball together well, but it was Gauld who was unlucky not to score when his long range strike was tipped over the bar.  Williams pulled other great saves from the keeper but he was soon rewarded with his second and Hall’s fourth.

All of the lads contributed and played well today.  It was great to see the boys play as a unit, at a high tempo and pass the ball so well.  But it was Williams who’s all round performance was truly awesome and he fully deserved Man of the Match.

 Date

7th December 2008

 HT

1

 

 FT

1 

3 

 Competition

League

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

 

 

 

Despite the result manager Robinson’s absence didn’t stop Hall from putting in an impressive performance today.  All those watching the game agreed that, particularly in the second half, Hall did everything but put the ball in the back of the net.  At the end of the game Walsham’s manager summed it up when he said he was ‘embarrassed by the result’ This is the second time this season Walsham have taken all the points from Hall, when Hall have been the better side, let’s hope that in the third game Hall can get what they deserve.  Well done to Walsham though as it is goals that count in winning points.

 Date

30th November 2008 

 HT

5 

0 

 FT

7 

2 

 Competition

Open Cup R1 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

An excellent first half performance meant Hall breezed into the next round of the open cup.  The game started with Needham hunting in packs and not allowing Hall any time on the ball.  It wasn’t long however before Warner and Williams were able to work the ball down the channels, sending in dangerous crosses for hall’s forwards.  Fleur started the scoring after he was put through by Betts.  Williams excellent wing play and cross was well met by Fleur who’s first time finish gave the keeper no chance.  Hall were asked to defend but Bevan , Young and Robinson, playing at the back for the first time, were equal to all that Needham had to offer, restricting Mills to two saves all half.  Hall went 3 ahead with an own goal from a corner.  Betts put Robinson, now working in the outside right position, through for him to slot home Halls fourth.  Soon after it was Fleur’s turn to assist in Halls fifth when his flick was met by Robinson for his second.

Hall’s second half performance was well below that of the first.  Hall’s work rate dropped and they were not so positive.  As a result Needham were allowed back into the game but not before Rookyard’s skill took him free from the defence and he tucked the ball into the net for Hall’s sixth.  Needham pulled one back when Hall failed to intercept a long through ball.  The margin was further reduced by Needham pressurising Hall’s defence resulting in an own goal. Mills in goal had more to do this half but did it well.  White went close before Fleur secured his hat trick, rounding the keeper on the edge of the box and finishing brilliantly from a difficult angle.  In any other game Fleur’s hat trick would have secured him man of the match however he was pipped to it by Robinson, who’s finishing, poise, skill, determination, and ability to switch and play in three different positions was a joy to watch.

 Date

9th November 2008 

 HT

1 

0 

Fleur 3, Betts, Warner                    

 FT

5 

3 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

Well done to both teams for respecting the fallen on Remembrance Sunday.  The first ten minutes was a very even affair with both sides attacking and defending well. White went close after Rookyard left the ball to him.  Bevan was soon asked to protect Mills in goal by covering well.  Fleur, ever lively up front, broke clear but shot just wide, before Warner put White through only to see the keeper save well.  Fleur wasn’t to be denied long and soon got one on one with the keeper, rounding him brilliantly to slot home.  Needham then dominated procession.  Hall defended well and remained resolute in preventing Needham from getting a shot on Mill’s goal, except for a long range effort that, luckily for Hall, hit the cross bar and was cleared.  Half time came with hall one up.

Fleur’s pace and strength was too much for Needham’s defence and soon after the re-start he burst clear again to expertly take his and Hall’s second.  Hall defended further up the park in the second half and looked more comfortable even through Needham dominated the procession again.  Hall looked the more dangerous on the attack however and White was unlucky not to put Hall further ahead.  Hall then made life difficult for themselves with some poor defending.  Needham out muscled and paced Hall’s defence, giving Mills no chance with a strong low right foot finish.  Robinson did well to beat two players, but his long range effort was well saved before Fleur broke again to hit his hat-trick. Firrell made a brilliant defensive tackle and was unfortunate to see the ball squeeze out to a Needham player who couldn’t miss the open goal.  Hall pressed and Betts pushed home his first goal of the season after battling hard in the penalty area (dodgy goal celebration though!).  He soon lost his fiver however when he was unlucky to head an OG past Mills.  Warner soon calmed Hall’s nerves when he hooked in Hall’s fifth.

Hall were again always second to the ball today.  Despite this Hall always looked solid at the back and Mills had few shots to save.  However, if it wasn’t for Man of the Match Fleur the result could have been different.

 Date

2nd November 2008 

 HT

1 

2 

Fleur, Rookyard                                 

Ipswich Valley Rangers A 

 FT

2 

4 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

 

 

 

Hall put on a mediocre display and paid the price by losing to Ipswich Valley Rangers A.  After an even start Rangers went ahead after Hall headed a well taken corner into their own net.  Hall soon leveled when Betts through ball was well finished by Rookyard. Hall dominated the next ten minutes but couldn’t find the necessary finish.  Warner worked the ball down the left crossing for Rookyard but he was unable to get his shot away.  White’s run through the middle and shot went just wide which was quickly followed in a similar fashion by a typical Firrell run and shot.  Mills saved well from a long range effort but could do nothing about Ranger’s second, a long range bullet from 25 yds.  Amps went close and Betts thought he’d scored but the keeper just stopped the ball on the line.  His goal celebration was a joy to watch however! 

After the break Hall moved to a flat back four and as a result didn’t look like getting caught on the break.  Hall pressed but chances went begging.  Fleur showed great pose in front of goal to level the scores injuring himself in the process.  Bevan, Scarfe, Henwood and Young covered well for each other but could do nothing when another long range effort passed over Mills reach.  Rangers went further ahead when a lopping cross was headed over Mills.  Hall had plenty of chances to draw the game level, White, Firrell and Robinson all went close but it was one of those days when the finishing deserted Hall.

Hall were always second best to the ball today, maybe frightened of the more physical Rangers side.  This is the third week running where Hall have not been at their best.  Manager Robinson will have to work hard to get their appetite for the game back.  Picking Man of the match was difficult today as no one was exceptional.  However Scrafe stood out above the rest being ever reliable and dependable at the back and doing all that was asked of him in midfield.

 Date

26th October 2008 

 HT

5 

1 

Firrell 2, Fleur 2, White 2           

 FT

6 

1 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

Yet another day more suited to ducks saw Hall beat Needham Market B for the second time this season.

Hall went ahead not long after the kick-off when Fleur raced away from Needham’s defence to slot home.  Despite being warned of complacency before the game Hall were not at the races and soon found themselves paying the price when Needham scored from a corner.   This seemed to spark Hall into action.  Hall dominated from there on in.  Fleur and Warner were denied by goal line clearances and Fleur fired just wide before he finished well when one on one with the keeper.  White got his first as a result of excellent build up play.  Soon after, Robinson worked the ball down the right, passing to Firrell who volleyed home for his first of two.  To Needham’s credit they didn’t give up and would have pulled one back on two separate occasions if it hadn’t been for expert goalkeeping by Mills and covering by White.  Firrell got his second when he met a cross field ball on the spin. 

Despite the score line Hall didn’t play particularly well in the first half and manager Robinson asked for more attractive football which was duly delivered.  Dodd and Amps continue to work hard. The midfield of Betts, Scrafe, White, Robinson and Warner together with the front pairing of Fleur and Rookyard worked the ball well between them on numerous occasions.  It was surprising therefore that Hall only added one more to their goal tally when White scored.  Needham packed the defence and goal mouth scrambles and goal line clearances became the norm.  Needham did break out though and if it wasn’t for some neat covering play by Young, Bevan and Henwood , Mills would have been tested again.

Needham were much improved from the previous encounter and provided they don’t let their heads drop it won’t be long before they pick up their first points.  Despite not scoring Man of the Match Warner was inspirational today.  His ball control, poise and passing ability were a joy to watch.  He went close to scoring on many occasions but didn’t get the rub of the green to see the ball hit the back of the net.  With performances like this his first goal will come soon.

 Date

19th October 2008 

 HT

0 

0 

White                                   

Tollgate 

 FT

1 

0 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

Hall managed to scrape the win in a very tight encounter with Tollgate.  Hall took ten minutes to get into the game and were awarded a dubious penalty after Gauld was well tackled in the box.  Tollgate’s keeper saved well to keep honours even. The game then moved into a scrappy encounter with little passing football being played.   Both sides defended well especially from corners and Mills and Tollagte’s keeper were a match for everything that came their way.  Amps was unlucky not to score just before the break.

Hall attacked from the restart and Gauld would have been celebrating if it hadn’t been for Tollgate’s keeper.  Rookyard, working hard up front, crossed in for Gauld to fire just wide.  Tollgate had defended well up until White picked the ball up just outside the box and hit a hopeful effort towards goal which couldn’t be held by the keeper and nestled into the back of the net.  The game remained tight especially in midfield.  Robinson’s pace was necessary to deny Tollgate on the break before Scrafe went close with another long range shot (he needs to work out his goal celebration for future games).  Henwood’s last ditch tackle kept all three points for Hall.

Although Hall forgot how to pass today the lads work rate couldn’t be faltered. Special mention to Mills, Robinson and Henwood who’s energy levels were superb but Captain Betts, for the second week running, led from the front and was rewarded with the Man of the Match.

 Date

12th October 2008 

 HT

0 

2 

Fleur                                           

 FT

1 

5 

 Competition

KO Cup R1 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Away 

 PENS

 

 

 

Manager Robinson didn’t miss much this week as Hall crashed out of the Knock Out Cup. 

Hall never really got going and in the end were well beaten by some good passing by Tigers.

 Date

28th September 2008 

 HT

1 

2 

Robinson, Rookyard, Fleur, Gauld                

 

Ipswich Valley Rangers A 

 FT

4 

2 

 Competition

League 

 AET

 

 

 Venue

Home 

 PENS

 

 

 Like the weather Hall were good today and continued their fine run with a win against a good passing Ipswich Valley Rangers A side.

The first half was particularly tight but it was Hall that had all the early pressure. Amps saw his shot blocked and Williams, showing good form on the left, and Rookyard went close early on. Hall couldn’t capitalise on a number of corners. Both Scrafe and Bevan got in some strong tackles to deny Rangers and Young had to cut off the Rangers coming down the right. Hall’s back line was eventually caught for pace and Mills could do little but pick the ball out of the back of his net. Hall pushed forward and it wasn’t long before Fleur got his well deserved goal to draw Hall level. Hall conceded an own goal when Mills was troubled by a Rangers near post corner. Half time came with Hall trailing.

After the break Hall learnt how to play against a speedy front line. Henwood‘s pace matched that of his opponents and as a defensive unit Hall looked much more solid. Betts held to his defensive midfield task well which allowed Hall to push on further. Fleur showed a turn of pace that Rangers couldn’t match but was denied by the feet of the Rangers keeper. Unfortunately Fleur sustained an injury in the process that brought on Gauld for his debut. Rookyard popped up again to slot home Hall’s second. Gauld and Williams linked up well and Gauld’s well timed shot was well saved, but the following up Firrell couldn’t keep his shot down. It was Robinson who finally put Hall into the lead when he hooked the ball from a corner into the top right hand side of the goal. White , working hard in midfield, saw an effort go just wide. With so many players pushing so high up the pitch Hall were always going to be vulnerable on the break. However Mills was alert to the danger pulling off a fine save just before coming out bravely to smother the ball at the Rangers attackers feet. Hall needed another gaol to ensure the points. Warner won the ball at the back, looked up and put in an inch perfect ball for Gauld to show his pace and slot home his debut goal.

Hall played with confidence today and all the players deserve praise. Scrafe, Henwood and Mills stood out but Man of the Match Robinson’s work rate was exceptional. Not only did he ensure he got the ball into the opponents box but chased back to win the ball in Hall’s box and set up many attacks as a result.