Warndon Villages Sharks U12's 10 v 0 Kidderminster Lion Cubs U12

Sharks Squad:-
Harry Stanley, Ben Jones , Joseph Kealey, Liam Dayus , James Ridge, James Stevens, 
Matt Sowden, Jack Rule, Callum Parker, Jai Gilchrist, Kieran Burns , Sam Langston, Jordan Slade, Andrew Murphy, Connor Thomasson , James Wood


 Sharks hit their stride in stylish display

Goal Scorers :-  3 Andrew Murphy , 2 Kieran Burns, Sam Langston , 2 Callum Parker , Jordan Slade ,Matt Sowden

After last weeks tough encounter the Sharks produced a very good passing display in putting 10 goals past a Cubs team who never gave up the fight.

The Sharks started quickly and almost opened the scoring when a move started by a pass by Connor Thomasson found Andy Murphy in space. His run and pass found Jai Gilchrist in space. Jai cut inside and hit a strong shot a foot over the bar. Another attack down the left wing nearly produced another goal. This time Jai Gilchrist found Kieran Burns whose shot was well saved. The Sharks continued to press and  then hit the post when a drilled free kick into the box by Liam Dayus found Sam Langston whose goal bound shot was blocked. The ball fell into Jai Gilchrist path. His close range header hitting the upright. Finally the Sharks opened the scoring when a lovely bit of skill by Liam Dayus meant he got goal side of his marker. He then delivered a pin point cross into Andy Murphy's path. Andy volleyed the ball first time into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 after 12 minutes. It was soon 2-0 when a quick corner by  Sam Langston found Jack Rule whose cross  found Liam Dayus in space. His first time volley was just going wide, but an alert Andy Murphy reacted well to head the ball into the net. The third goal in a short period was again started by a pass by Connor Thomasson who spread the play wide left. Andy Murphy picked up the pass and ran at the defence. He tried to lay the ball into Kieran Burns path but was tackled. Andy showed good persistence in winning the ball back. The rebound from Andy's tackle found Kieran Burns who slid the ball past the keeper from 10 yards out. The Sharks were now in full flow and started to knock the ball about with purpose and style. The 4th soon followed and owed much to good team play. The move was started by good passing between Jack Rule and Liam Dayus. Liam then found Kieran Burns  who held the ball  up and hit a cross into Andy Murphy who made no mistake by volleying the ball into the net. Conner Thomasson then had a good effort from distance easily saved by the keeper. Good play by Jai Gilchrist giving the space and time for Connor to hit his shot. Then good play between Matt Sowden and Liam Dayus in the middle of the park ended with Liam running to the left side of the pitch and sliding a superb ball into Any Murphy's path. Andy got to the ball first and knocked the ball past the keeper and hit the outside of the post. 
But the Sharks made it 5-0 just before half time. Good interplay between Matt Sowden and Jai Gilchrist opened up the the Cubs defence. A pin point pass slid into Kieran Burns path . He made no mistake by sliding the ball past the keeper and into the net.

5-0 H-T

A very good first performance underpinned by excellent passing of the ball  and movement off the ball of the players.

The Sharks made several changes and this seemed the effect the Sharks flow. The Lion Cubs had the better of the first 5 minutes .The lion Cubs produced their first shot on target from a narrow angle. Harry Stanley saving comfortably.  James Wood made a good run down the left and used his pace to beat all defenders. His shot at the near post was well saved by the keeper. From the resulting corner Jai Gilchrist hit a shot narrowly over the bar. Again Jai Gilchrist caused more problems for the Cubs when his strong direct run was again well saved by the keeper for a corner. The corner produced another goal when the initial corner was cleared Jack Rule hit a cross to the far post into Callum Parker's path. He volleyed the ball in to make it 6-0. Almost immediately the Sharks nearly made it 7-0  when James Wood produced another strong run. He beat 3 players with skill and pace. The Keeper produced another quality save to keep it at 6-0.  Jordan Slade made it 7-0 with a volley of a bouncing ball looping over the impressive keeper. the move being started by a Callum back flick and good interplay between James Wood , Jai Gilchrist and James Ridge.  James Ride and Wood sw2itched flanks and were creating havoc on both wings as the 2nd half progressed. Matt Sowden laid a lovely pass back into Liam Dayus's path. liam hit a shot from 25 yards which was well saved. Any where else on the goal and it would probably been the 8th goal. Matt Sowden was becoming more influential as the game progressed and he started a move which set James Ridge free. James hit a deep cross into Callum Parkers path but his header went inches wide. Callum made it 8 when good passing by between Andy Murphy and James Ridge opened up the Cubs defence. Callum slotting the ball past the keeper with ease. The Sharks finished the last couple of minutes with a bang with 2 quick fire goals . The first coming when Sam Langston picked up a loose ball and struck a nice shot from the edge of the area into the net. The final goal came after  a good pass by Jack Rule found Matt Sowden in space. his pace got him through the defence and gave him enough time to drill the ball past the keeper. 

A enjoyable game for the Sharks with every player contributing to a good result. It was a quiet day for Ben Jones and Joseph Kealey . But their good defensive play and distribution of the ball ensured the Sharks  kept the ball rather than just giving the ball away needlessly.

A very pleasing aspect of the squad so far is that in 2 league games and 4 friendlies games 12 players out of 16 have already scored this season.

With James Stevens still to come back from injury the Sharks still look to have a strong squad to compete at 11 a side football.