U17 Floodlit Trophy final.

13' - Wimbledon with a few early sights of goal.
18' - Joe Kirby gives Wimbledon the lead.
25' - Theo Upton wins the ball high up the pitch before feeding Harry Williamson, but the wide man's effort is a tame one.
38' - Pool starting to build some pressure on their hosts now as James Butterworth has an effort blocked after good play by Harry Williamson and Jack Richardson.
HT
1-0.
 
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2nd half.
51' - Pool have started the half strongly with James Butterworth coming within inches of knocking a delivery from the right in.
54' - The Dons double their lead through Harry Hedges
61' - First couple of changes for Pool.
On: Charlie Cox Shay Mannix
Off: Harry Williamson James Butterworth.
62' - Theo Upton volleys wide from range as Pool push for one back.
66' - Layton Campbell cuts inside before firing towards the far post, but his effort is well saved by Ethan McGrath in the Dons' goal.
70' - Spencer Knight strikes wide from outside the box after he picked up a loose clearance by Wimbledon.
74' - Theo Upton volleys over after a headed clearance fell to him. Pool continuing to push for a way back into this final.
90+5' - Ky-Mani Leliendal heads wide at the far post after he met a Charlie Cox delivery.
FT 2-0
 
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Clearly a disappointing result but I can't comment on the performance.
It would be good to hear from someone who was there.
I'd be interested to know how they measured up age wise.
We basically played an u16 team and from what I'm told we lack a bit of physicality.
So let's get on the weights and burgers this summer boys and next season this competition will be a stroll in the park.
#5for30. 👍
 
Yep the boys did well but the best team won, and yes they did seem physically stronger. Although we had three to four really good chances to score but didn't take them. But the boys did us proud and kept going til the last min. One thing that was very noticeable was the number of Wimbledon players going down with cramp. If they were genuine that's really poor, and if disingenuous also really poor to be teaching kids to waste time like that. Prob 15-20 pool supporters. And could have a pint whilst watching the match. Very civilised.
 
In the early stages Wimbledon had more possession and more composure on the ball but on the whole our defence coped with them. We struggled to put together many attacks but a through ball down the left found Butterworth with a possible one on one with the Don's keeper. In stead, he came rushing out, almost to the touchline and just got to the ball before our player before the two collided. Totally innocent, no malice on either side, just two determined young men going for the same ball. However, the ref saw it differently and booked the BFC lad. Maybe he saw it as "studs up" but I thought it was harsh and I was probably only 15ft away.
Wimbledon went in 1-0 up and deservedly so in my view. I can only recall two attempts on goal from our lads, a weak shot comfortably saved and a header off target from a corner. They had clearly done their homework on Layton Campbell and he was very tightly marked by their number 65 defender. He kept putting his arm round LC's waist and Campbell kept grabbing it and pushing it away. Reminded me of the dates I used to go on as a teenager!

The first ten minutes of the second half we were much better. Attacked non-stop, looked more confident, raking the game to Wimbledon. We might even have equalised in a goalmouth scramble but somehow the Dons got it clear. Then they broke away, scored with their first venture into our penalty area of the half and you could sense that the Cup was staying in the south.
We continued to press forward with some strong runs from Richardson, Upton, and Knight, supported down the right by a willing Leliendal. Campbell was more involved but had no real opportunities to shoot, and while he was confident enough to try little flicks and dummies, they did not really come off on the day. We had a few opportunities, but no really sitters to be missed. Leliendal did have a good chance in stoppage time but he got his header all wrong. It was that sort of day. Wimbledon were able to sit deeper, absorb the much-increased pressure and always looked dangerous on the break.

In the end, they probably deserved their win even if 2-0 was a bit flattering. We huffed and puffed, worked our socks off and a few other modern day cliches besides but you could not fault their effort, determination and overall superior fitness. As Dave 1772 mentions above, the number of times Wimbledon players went down with what appeared to be cramp in the second half was astonishing, sometimes within a yard of the touchline, but the refereee made no attempt to tell the physio to take them off to the side. Their physio probably covered more ground in the second half than their forwards did!

I also endorse Dave's point about the difference in physique. I chatted to a Wimbledon regular follower at half time and we worked out that, on average, their players were around 9 months older than ours. And at those levels, 9 months makes a big difference.

On balance, it was a pleasant afternoon and enjoyably different from watching our first team throughout most of the season just finished. At Reading last Saturday, I left thoroughly disappointed and probably more so than some of our players. Yesterday, the reverse was true. Of course, I would have preferred us to have won, but I can't fault the effort from our boys. And they are still boys, don't forget.
After the final whistle and when they were standing around watching their opponents collect their medals and the cup, our lads were clearly feeling dejected. That is no bad thing. It should help their future development to know the pain of falling at the final fence and make it all the sweeter when they are successful next time.
 
Bobtheretiredbroker said:
In the early stages Wimbledon had more possession and more composure on the ball but on the whole our defence coped with them. We struggled to put together many attacks but a through ball down the left found Butterworth with a possible one on one with the Don's keeper. In stead, he came rushing out, almost to the touchline and just got to the ball before our player before the two collided. Totally innocent, no malice on either side, just two determined young men going for the same ball. However, the ref saw it differently and booked the BFC lad. Maybe he saw it as "studs up" but I thought it was harsh and I was probably only 15ft away.
Wimbledon went in 1-0 up and deservedly so in my view. I can only recall two attempts on goal from our lads, a weak shot comfortably saved and a header off target from a corner. They had clearly done their homework on Layton Campbell and he was very tightly marked by their number 65 defender. He kept putting his arm round LC's waist and Campbell kept grabbing it and pushing it away. Reminded me of the dates I used to go on as a teenager!

The first ten minutes of the second half we were much better. Attacked non-stop, looked more confident, raking the game to Wimbledon. We might even have equalised in a goalmouth scramble but somehow the Dons got it clear. Then they broke away, scored with their first venture into our penalty area of the half and you could sense that the Cup was staying in the south.
We continued to press forward with some strong runs from Richardson, Upton, and Knight, supported down the right by a willing Leliendal. Campbell was more involved but had no real opportunities to shoot, and while he was confident enough to try little flicks and dummies, they did not really come off on the day. We had a few opportunities, but no really sitters to be missed. Leliendal did have a good chance in stoppage time but he got his header all wrong. It was that sort of day. Wimbledon were able to sit deeper, absorb the much-increased pressure and always looked dangerous on the break.

In the end, they probably deserved their win even if 2-0 was a bit flattering. We huffed and puffed, worked our socks off and a few other modern day cliches besides but you could not fault their effort, determination and overall superior fitness. As Dave 1772 mentions above, the number of times Wimbledon players went down with what appeared to be cramp in the second half was astonishing, sometimes within a yard of the touchline, but the refereee made no attempt to tell the physio to take them off to the side. Their physio probably covered more ground in the second half than their forwards did!

I also endorse Dave's point about the difference in physique. I chatted to a Wimbledon regular follower at half time and we worked out that, on average, their players were around 9 months older than ours. And at those levels, 9 months makes a big difference.

On balance, it was a pleasant afternoon and enjoyably different from watching our first team throughout most of the season just finished. At Reading last Saturday, I left thoroughly disappointed and probably more so than some of our players. Yesterday, the reverse was true. Of course, I would have preferred us to have won, but I can't fault the effort from our boys. And they are still boys, don't forget.
After the final whistle and when they were standing around watching their opponents collect their medals and the cup, our lads were clearly feeling dejected. That is no bad thing. It should help their future development to know the pain of falling at the final fence and make it all the sweeter when they are successful next time.
Click to expand...
Thanks Bob for finding the time to write a report.
There's quite a few in yesterday's starting line-up that I haven't actually seen play yet. We probably missed Terry Bondo, who is an u17 striker, and who must have been injured.
I've really enjoy watching the U18s in recent years and whilst this season wasn't the best I'm hopeful that the group you watched yesterday will develop over the next couple of seasons.
We just desperately need a training ground and a home for youngsters.
#5for30.
 
Insider said:
Thanks Bob for finding the time to write a report.
There's quite a few in yesterday's starting line-up that I haven't actually seen play yet. We probably missed Terry Bondo, who is an u17 striker, and who must have been injured.
I've really enjoy watching the U18s in recent years and whilst this season wasn't the best I'm hopeful that the group you watched yesterday will develop over the next couple of seasons.
We just desperately need a training ground and a home for youngsters.
#5for30.
Click to expand...
I chatted to a couple after the match. Their son was in our team. I prefer not to mention his name not because of anything sinister, but just because I don't have their permission.
Their lad is loving it with BFC, getting a lot more game time than at his previous academy but he does miss their superior facilities.
The parents are not locals, but moved North to be closer to their boy and provide more support as he tries to fashion a future in football. People can forget the amount of sacrifice families make to live the dream.
 
Bobtheretiredbroker said:
I chatted to a couple after the match. Their son was in our team. I prefer not to mention his name not because of anything sinister, but just because I don't have their permission.
Their lad is loving it with BFC, getting a lot more game time than at his previous academy but he does miss their superior facilities.
The parents are not locals, but moved North to be closer to their boy and provide more support as he tries to fashion a future in football. People can forget the amount of sacrifice families make to live the dream.
Click to expand...
Yes I bump into parents of players. It must be really tough managing your son/daughters expectations especially when so few make it.
 
Bobtheretiredbroker said:
I chatted to a couple after the match. Their son was in our team. I prefer not to mention his name not because of anything sinister, but just because I don't have their permission.
Their lad is loving it with BFC, getting a lot more game time than at his previous academy but he does miss their superior facilities.
The parents are not locals, but moved North to be closer to their boy and provide more support as he tries to fashion a future in football. People can forget the amount of sacrifice families make to live the dream.
Click to expand...
that was me with you Bob :) Nice to have met you. As you say was a pleasant day out watching a Pool team and a few pints, and able to sit with them and watch the game which is a nice novelty.
 
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