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22nd February 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Milton 9-3 Bottisham

The score line was not a true reflection of a game in which Bottisham gave one of their best performances of the season, against one of the top sides. The score was 5-3 with 5 minutes to play which was more of a fair reflection. All the Bottisham players performed well with a terrific spirit, but a special mention to Wesley Smith for his best performance of the season which was capped by a terrific solo goal. Will Conlon showed outstanding skill and awareness for Milton and was the difference between the two sides. On reflection, I feel with a fully fit George Darling and a few breaks we could have gone close.

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1st March 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Histon Hornets 7-3 Bottisham

Another good display by Bottisham against a very good Histon side. Bottisham recovered after conceding a goal in the first few seconds and matched Histon for much of the game, playing some excellent football and scoring 3 terrific goals. The main difference between the two sides was a strong Histon defence and an excellent goalkeeper. We do need to find a natural goalkeeper who is prepared to play the whole game in goal and defenders need to keep aware and close down the opposition much more quickly. This game did show however just how much we have come on since an early season thrashing by Histon. A special mention to George for his tireless running, as he was a constant threat to the Histon defence and to James who was outstanding at the back and scored a terrific goal with a shot from his own half.

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15th March 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Cherry Hinton Lions 8-4 Bottisham

Bottisham started this match strongly and had an excellent first 15 minutes in which we played some good football and finished up leading 2-1. The second period started well seeing us going 3-1 up and battling well without us playing our best football. The game seemed to change with the injury to goalkeeper Jamie Johnstone who was having an excellent game. We seemed to lose our way from that point and allowed Cherry Hinton to dominate the remainder of the game, for them to come out 8-4 winners. The plus points were for the first 20 minutes where we more than matched a good Cherry Hinton side, and the goalkeeping display of Jamie Johnstone. Overall it was a very disappointing display and we continue to fade very badly towards the end of matches. Perhaps no late nights on Fridays might improve stamina levels!

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22nd March 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Bottisham 5-4 Aztecs 'B'

I think most players turned up for this game thinking that's all that they had to do. Make no bones about it; this was a dreadful performance where we were very fortunate to win. What has happened to the good football that we played a few weeks ago! There are very few plus points to take from this game. Jamie in goal is definitely a plus point and he is becoming more self assured with each game. Ben fought well and scored a great goal. Next week we are against Milton, who are probably the best side in the league. We must therefore be up for it from the start and play as a team.

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29th March 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Bottisham 4-6 Milton

What a great performance by Bottisham against the best side in the league. We got off to a bad start conceding an early goal but fought back strongly with a great goal from George. Milton then piled on the pressure scoring two further goals but were then set back in their tracks by a stunning strike from Wes (probably the goal of the season).
The second part of the game saw a fighting rear guard action from all of the team, with Michael giving an outstanding performance and capping it with a great goal.
The last two sessions saw much of the same with another great goal from George. Throughout the game Jamie pulled off a string of fine saves. This was probably the best performance of the season from Bottisham where the attitude and commitment was magnificent from all players against a Milton side who had several very good players who played virtually the whole game.
Great stuff, more of the same next game.

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12th April 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Chesterton Eagles 6-3 Bottisham

What a great game played in a terrific spirit with all players making significant contributions. The first spell was end to end stuff with plenty of goalmouth action and finished 3-3 with two goals from George and a screamer from James. The second spell was played in a similar manner but a strong Chesterton side managed to go 5-3 up.
The last two periods were very evenly fought with a strong performance from the Bottisham team. Despite the final score of 6-3 we can take much heart from the performance of the whole team with everyone having a good game. George was outstanding up front and ran his two markers ragged. This game was a credit to Mini League Football, well done to both sides for the spirit and commitment shown.

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26th April 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Bottisham 9-1 Waterbeach

A very strong performance from the Bottisham team who dominated the game from start to finish. The first period saw Bottisham build up a four goal lead with some flowing football and excellent link play between Michael, George and Wes.
The second period was more even, with Waterbeach coming more into the game and scoring an excellent goal. Despite this Bottisham added a further 2 goals to lead 6-1.
The final two periods saw Bottisham continue their good work and we added 3 more goals. Overall, this was a very good performance where everyone did their bit. Chris had an excellent game in goal, in defence James, Lewis and Paul were all very solid. In midfield Rhys, Wes, Michael all had powerful games and up front George put in his usual strong performance.
Let's finish the season on a high with two more performances like todays.
Well done lads.

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3 May 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Waterbeach 4-5 Bottisham

This was a very competitive game played in excellent spirit by both sides. In the first period Waterbeach started very strongly and were soon awarded a penalty, which was blasted over the bar. Waterbeach continued to press hard and were rewarded by two goals. Bottisham seemed to struggle to hold on to the ball, they created very few chances in this period and were fortunate, maybe, to trail by only two goals at the end of the period.
The game was then transformed in the second period with a storming performance from Michael which included a run from his own box going round virtually the whole Waterbeach team before slotting the ball home. The whole team then seemed to realise that they were in a game and so upped their effort and performance. The second period finished 3-3.
The third period was evenly fought and Bottisham scored two great goals, one was a passing movement starting from the back and brilliantly finished by George. This period finished 5-4 to Bottisham.
In the last period Waterbeach put Bottisham under strong pressure and nearly scored on several occasions, including a goal line clearance from Paul. Bottisham managed to hold on for a hard fought victory. This was not one of our best performances but the pleasing thing was the determination shown to get back in the game after early setbacks. The performance of Michael in the second 15 minute spell was as good as I have seen from any player in the league.
Well done Waterbeach for the well fought game, which could have gone either way.
Last game next week- let's finish with a flurry!

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10 May 2003

Under 9's Div 9D : Bottisham 4-3 Burwell Tigers 'B'

The last game of the season was played in a great spirit and resulted in a narrow win for Bottisham. A slow start from Bottisham allowed Burwell to take an early lead. Bottisham then pressed forward and George scored a terrific hat trick to leave us leading 3-1 at the break.
The second period was not a good one for Bottisham and we allowed Burwell to draw level at 3-3.
There were no goals in the third period despite both sides pushing forward.
The fourth and deciding period started with a penalty to Burwell which was missed. The game was decided with a long range shot from Michael. An excellent game, which summed up the season for us.
Throughout the season the players have shown a good positive attitude, without criticising each other when losing or gloating when winning. All of them have been a credit to themselves, their parents and to football. Well done everyone, 10 wins and 10 defeats scoring 99 goals and conceding 93.
Good luck to all the players moving to the under 10's next year.

All the best,
Graham

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