21 Sep 2008 - RESULT - u14s in the goals

Thurrock Tigers  0-11  Thames  Gateway (Friendly)

We were indebted to Thurrock Tigers for agreeing to this friendly at short notice following the postponement of what should have been our opening League game against Cricketers Horndon United.

The Tigers experimented with players and Teams as they did in the friendly against our under 13’s a week or so ago.

The opening goal was scored by new signing Ryan C after a through ball by another of our new signings, Danny.  Ryan took his goal well to give us a 1-0 lead.

In the first half, Ryan was playing up front with Freddie and Fred went close but saw his well placed shot saved by the keeper’s legs before Kieran scored an impressive thirty yard lob to make it 2-0.

Freddie did not have to wait long to get on the score sheet and Ryan C turned provider, laying the ball off for Fred who produced an unstoppable vintage strike past the keeper, 3-0.

Ryan C then produced his second goal of the game, latching on to a Sean B pass and steering the ball past the keeper – 4-0.

In the second half, Robert W made an excellent solo run down the right before cutting in off the line and finishing to make it 5-0.

The sixth goal followed when Ashley slotted home after Thurrock Tigers failed to clear a corner.

Ryan C then scored his hat trick and earned a match ball in the process as we romped to 7-0.

Robert C then got on the score sheet, shooting wide of the keeper to give us an 8-0 lead.

Squirrel then got his second goal after finishing a fine passing move, 9-0 before he added another two late goals, earning the second match ball of the day and ensuring a convincing 11-0 victory.

After the game Paul and Steve emphasised that this was a run out and that next week’s Essex Cup match will be very different, however they agreed there was no argument against an 11-0 shoreline.  Ryan C and Robert W earned joint man of the match awards.  Steve commented that it was Robert C’s goals that earned us promotion last year and it was good to see all our forwards getting on the score sheet today, taking some of the pressure off “Cole the Goal”.

The Ref, Mr Bodimeade from Grays had a great game too as did regular lino Mr Chapman from Chafford Hundred who gave a lesson in how to be a fair linesman to all present. 

It was great to see so many parents enjoying the game and welcoming our newest parents to the Club and also to see injured Sean D (hammy) cheering his team mates on from the sidelines.