11/10/09 Spelthorne Sports 0 - 5 AFC Brooklands

What a game it was! AFC Brooklands U10s v Spelthorne - no one ever thought it would end up 5:0 to Brooklands, least of all the Coach Tim Cruddas who drew on every motivational technique he had in his coaching manual.  “Do you believe you want it?” cried Tim but with no response from the players. Finally kick off came (with Tim retreating to the side line wondering why his team were not responding to his war cries!). 

But the team had confidence in the structure, with captain Millsy quietly giving his own motivational speech to his players. Haris up front ready and waiting for the through ball from Kirwan holding up midfield, ably supported by Luke on the right and Axel on the left, Millsy and Brandon holding up defence. 

Spelthorne came out fighting; pushing on the Brooklands defence but Brockwell and Mills never looked less than capable of handling the pressure that was thrown at them. Pushing every ball back up the field finding Kirwan in the middle, with open space between the defence line and Bouzida opening the gap for a through-ball and an early opportunity as he slotted it wide of the post. 

It was only a matter of time before Brooklands found the net. Luke Shanahan comfortably pushed past the left back drawing the Spelthorne defence line out and with confidence high, Millsy pulled away from his defence role supporting Kirwan in the middle pushing a through-ball to Haris on the left, with Kirwan spotting an opportunity to split the defence, ready for that early goal - 1:0 Brooklands! 

The second half started to see Brooklands gain the upper hand in possession with Spelthorne now feeling the pressure and getting overly physical. Will Standring - substituted for Axel on the left - dominated the defence with some fancy footwork and the Brooklands boys stepped it up a gear. 

We needed a physical presence …..on comes the Niallator. Play continues and with an early ball down the right to Haris “the Bullet” Bouzida, making light work of the left back and dropping a cross into the path of the Niallator, it had 2:0 written all over it. 

With confidence high and few challenges being made on Thomas Fuller in goal, it was looking like another clean sheet for the Cat. On we pushed with the Niallator penetrating the Spelthorne defence, placing an easy pass to Kirwan to drive it past the keeper for 3:0. With rapturous applause from the crowd, the Niallator wants more; an early pass off to the Bullet sees the Niallator in the middle of the box to receive the return pass, driving it into the top corner with no mercy - 4:0! 

With the team spirit at an all time high, it is only fair to see Haris drive the final goal home – a just reward for all his hard work: with the team pushing forward and Spelthorne wondering what has hit them (!), H slides into the middle of the box receiving a light touch in from a smiling Kirwan who sees him slot the final shot home for a 5:0 win to Brooklands. Outstanding! 




27/9/09 League - Hart Harriers 0 - 6 AFC Brooklands

“Brooklands gave our boys a lesson in football today” so said the Harrier’s coach after the game, and what a game it was. Forget about the score, the Hawks passing, movement, first touch and general level-headedness & team play made for a very enjoyable Sunday morning in sunny Church Crookham.

 

Generally, the Hawks are slow to get going – usually inviting pressure early on in their games before then settling down - not so on the 27th September. Out of the blocks and Samuel Foreman was quick to take control in central midfield. Spoilt for choice with the space he was being offered by Axel Terling and Luke Shanahan on the left and right respectively, and with Eoin Kirwan up front showing for every ball, it wasn’t long before his through-ball to Shanahan splitting Hart’s defence, teed the latter up for his first of the season. Quickly followed up by a second – it was looking like Luke was going home with a new ball.

 

Some near misses from both sides, some great goalmouth action and full-on diving saves from each keeper (Thomas Howard for the Hawks) added to the excitement and momentum that the game was developing. Two more goals – one from Axel Terling (“I was robbed” shouted Niall McNamara :O) ), the other from Matthew Tedeschi , saw the Hawks 4 nil up at half-time.

 

 Hart were looking more lively in the second half, abandoning their attempts to play-through Brooklands midfield and instead, looking to lob more balls into the Brooklands danger area trying to wear down the defence, gambling on the loose ball. All attempts however, were successfully cut-out by (don’t mess with) Alex Johnson, taking responsibility at the back, suitably aided by Will Standring – enjoying his sojourn in defence this week.

 

Half way through the second half and Tedeschi broke through again, this time for his second – Brooklands 5th. Five minutes from time, Kirwan, receiving a beautifully weighted through-ball from the Niallator, rounded the Harrier’s keeper, coolly slotted it home thus sealing Brooklands second win of the season in style.

 

Player of the match went to a well deserved Luke Shanahan – on his toes the whole match, full of confidence and displaying a new found attitude and maturity to team play, very much evident in the rest of the teams’ performance.
 Tim Cruddas


20/9/09 League - AFC Brooklands 0 - 2 Goldsworth Park Rangers

On a beautifully warm sunny Sunday morning, 20th September saw Brookland’s U10s Hawks start their first home-game of the season at St Georges. From the whistle and throughout the whole of the game, the relentless tempo never let up and it was more about work-rate rather than technical superiority that ultimately led to one team returning home to Sunday Dinner disappointed.

 

GPR were strong, continually driving the ball forwards but throughout the whole of the game, the Brooklands defence team comprising Brandon Brockwell, Thomas Mills and Will Standring never looked less than capable of handling the pressure that was continually thrown at them. Quick movement from the back allowed Luke Shanahan to take the ball away on numerous occasions enjoying the freedom of playing up the right wing and deftly penetrating deep into GPR’s midfield. Haris Bouzida over on the left was more than a match for his opposition - outweighed perhaps in size, but never in speed and agility. After 20x minutes though, with both teams unable to make that final killer blow, something had to give – a high ball into a crowded Brookland’s penalty area saw Thomas Fuller’s punch just fail to connect squarely, and bounce back for a goal.

 

The second half started to see Brooklands gain the upper hand in possession, confidence and overall team-play. Eoin Kirwan – the Hawk’s Captain at Centre-Midfield - was instrumental in this, getting to every loose ball in midfield and either bringing down and controlling, or winning the majority of, every 50/50 ball in his playing zone. The game was turning in Brooklands favour but the GPR defence and their very safe Keeper kept out all attempts on goal and continually frustrated the Hawks attacking play.  Against the run of play however, a well worked through-ball out of GPR’s defence saw them go 2 on 1 with Brookland’s last man back and Fuller, just managing to get a hand to the ball was unlucky not to have been able to push it wider round the post. 2-0 the final result then to a “proper game of football” which saw the Hawks raise their game and show an ability to compete confidently in Division 4.

 

Player-of-the-match going this week to a hard working Thomas Mills, and a promising start for Axel Terling playing his debut match.

Tim Cruddas


 13/9/09 League - Fleet Town Spartans 1 - 4 AFC Brooklands

Brooklands conceded an early goal within the first minute of play when a clearance connected with a Fleet forward and rebounded into their own net! An unfortunate start to the season but the Brooklands boys heads never went down. They soon settled back into the flowing, passing and moving football style that they have become known for and were rewarded 10x minutes later when Alfredo Cruddas sent Samuel Foreman’s through-ball straight into the back of the net. Minutes later and Matthew Tedeschi produced an almost carbon-copy of ‘Fredo’s earlier goal when he controlled Haris Bouzida’s square-ball and drilled it home. 1-2 and Brooklands were enjoying themselves up to the break.

The Second half saw fantastic football being played by both teams in all zones but it was Brooklands who were in control. The third goal came as Bouzida (playing left-wing on his debut) brought down an inspired cross-ball from Jack Butler far over on the right, controlled it, thought about it and slotted it home inside the near post – a great goal. 5x minutes later and the goal-mouth scrap that ensured saw Foreman – the Brooklands captain - take control and kill the game off with the 4th.

Special mention goes to Alex Johnson (player of the match) Brandon Brockwell and Thomas Howard  also playing their debut games for Brooklands and all performing admirably.

Big thanks to Fleet who are always a pleasure to compete against – it must be said that Louis Baker, Fleet’s Goalkeeper, is indeed a very talented and special player.

Tim Cruddas