Saturday 1/3/2008
Burton Yth Jaguars 1 Wellingborough Town 1

It was a bit of a strange game today – we had the majority of the play and virtually all the chances but let ourselves down with a mixture of bad finishing and luck.

We had agreed to play 6 a-side as this was the last game of the season – to make sure all the boys (and girls – more on this later) had a few minutes on the pitch. In retrospect we should always play 5-a side as this gives us more space on the pitch and allows us to use our pace and movement to the maximum, the six on the pitch makes for more congestion and plays into less skillful sides hands.

Still – we started well and created some good openings but our shooting wasn’t the best and they went to waste. Just before half time I think it was Jack who struck a good shot from outside the box which the keeper spilled and Kobi tucked away having followed in on the shot – showing good awareness.

The second half bought more of the same and we really should have extended our lead – with Ben shooting over from a yard – quite a feat really as it would have been much easier to score!

We looked to be heading for a tight victory when disaster struck, Burton broke from the halfway line and was just about to shoot from inside the box when Kobi made a desperate last gasp challenge and was unlucky to miss the ball and give away a penalty.

Up strode the Burton penalty taker – a rather sturdy young girl who had had a very good game at centre half having put In more than one crunching tackle! She took the penalty well (although it was a toe-punt) almost destroying the goal in the process.

A disappointing end to a great season but Burton deserved the draw and we could have no complaints when the final whistle blew.

I think we have all really enjoyed this first season and can’t wait for the next to start – Darren and I have nothing but praise for this side and hopefully we can go on to bigger and better things in seasons to come – well done lads.

MOTM – No-one to single out this week so a team award is in order as they have done so well all season.

Saturday 1/3/2008
Hackleton Harriers 0-2 Wellingborough Town

I was well pleased with the result today as it was against a team managed by a former work colleague!

Hackleton have been a difficult team to beat all season and they gave their all in what was to prove to be one of the best games I have watched this season. Sometimes in these u 7’s games nobody passes or tackles and they all take it in turns to have a little dribble and shot – not today.

Both teams played good football – holding their shape and trying to progress through passing and movement and it was Wellingborough that started to take control.

Following a passage of midfield play Jordan took up a good attacking position on the edge of the box where his teammates found him with a clever pass; he composed himself and found the corner of the net.

There were no further goals in a very tight half of football, the ½ time whistle blew and I felt as though we had been playing for just 5 minutes which shows how engrossing the action had been.

The 2nd half continued the theme – it was nip and tuck but full credit to all the boys as they barely allowed Hackleton a strike on target.

Another well fought phased of play resulted in a free kick halfway into Hackleton territory. Jack placed the ball as his dad shouted at him to shoot – so I thought I’d join in and encourage the same.

We were right to do so as Jack curled the ball towards the top corner with great execution and the keeper could only touch it in to the top corner (just as well as the Hackleton Manager was just shouting at me ‘that was in-direct’ – there you go then!). 2-0, job done.

MOTM – Has to be a joint award this week – both Keegan and Jaydon played with great maturity in a tough midfield battle – which they won.

Saturday 23/2/2008
Thrapston Town 2-2 Wellingborough Town

We have the full house of results now following a frustrating draw against Thrapston.

We started strongly again and it was plain to see after only a few minutes that we had the measure of Thrapston, and this was borne out by a great move that resulted in a shooting chance for Kobi who dispatched the ball with confidence into the bottom corner.

As the half went on Thrapston rarely threatened to trouble the score sheet leaving Lewis very little to do in goal.

We created numerous chances but lacked a bit of composure at crucial times and failed to add to our opening strike.

Jaydon took over in goal for a 2nd half which began in much the same way as the 1st, another good team move found Kobi in space and he was on target again giving us a well deserved goal.

The referee was poor today, as I understand it you’re supposed to toss a coin to see who should kick off, this ref seemed to do this before every perplexing decision he made! (Most of which ended in the favor of Thrapston).

The game looked to be destined to finish 2-0 to Wellingborough before Thrapston cleared the ball from their half with an impressive ‘hoof’ into orbit, unfortunately the ball caught the full effect of a healthy breeze, bounced once and span into the net over a despairing Jaydon!

The referee then played his joker allowing Thrapston to take a free kick (what the offence was - I still don’t know) from the wrong place; a shot followed which found its way into the bottom corner – disaster 2-2.

Wellingborough strained to retake the lead and Jack was unlucky to hit the crossbar and put a further shot just wide, the whistle followed and ended a hard fought game. Thrapston deserve some credit for coming back from 2-0 down, but we battered them today and should have made more of the chances we created to take the game out of sight.

MOTM – Kobi took his goals well and never stopped working for the team.

Saturday 16/2/2008
Wellingborough Town 5-0 Corby Warriors Daggers

We have been guilty of a few slow starts this season and have had to come from behind to win a game on more than one occasion, so it was pleasing to see us start this game with the power of an Olympic Sprinter and we were 2-0 up in as many minutes.

We lined up with a pretty strong side today – Jaydon took his turn in goal for the 1st half with Jack in defense, Keegan+ Kobi in midfield and Lewis up front.

The Corby keeper had a bit of a mare for the 1st goal letting a shot from Jack get under his body, this was swiftly followed by a strike from Kobi (I think!) and we were in total command.

A spate of substitutions saw Ben replace Lewis in attack with Harvey and Cameron coming on for Keegan and Kobi in midfield. We continued to put Corby under pressure which resulted in Ben scoring our 3rd, a fine effort that left the Corby Keeper floundering.  

A minute or so later Jack produced one of his trademark meandering dribbles which he finished off with and a shot that looked to be going in when up popped Ben to stick it in the back of the net – best to make sure eh!

Some great team play produced a crossing opportunity for Jack and Corey (who had come on for Ben) finished with a good half volley and we were 5-0 up when the whistle blew for half time.

Jack took over in goal for a second half that saw Corby play a lot better; they fought for every ball and restricted our goal scoring chances more effectively than they had in the 1st half. We should have got a couple more goals before the end of the game but that would have maybe been a bit unfair on Corby.

We controlled the game from start to finish and really played some nice stuff today and hopefully we can keep this going through to next week where we will face Thrapston. They will be our sternest test since the defeat to Weekly Hurricanes – our only black mark in an otherwise spotless season.

MOTM – They all played well again but I think Ben deserves some credit as he occasionally struggles to get involved, but that wasn’t the case today and he was well worth his 2 goals.

Saturday 2/2/2008
Corby Hellenic Fisher 1-5 Wellingborough Town

It was another good win today for the lads – the 1st defeat we suffered 2 weeks ago turned out to be good for us as even though Corby Hellenic have had a mixed set of results, we didn’t take them lightly and went for the jugular right from the off.

 Jack Daldy was back to his imperious best today and scored a fantastic solo goal midway through the 1st half taking the ball past two defenders on the right wing before unleashing a fine shot from a tight angle which arrowed into the far corner.

Minutes later Jack repeated this feat and the game was effectively won.

Cameron took his turn in goal for the 1st half and had very little to do such was our dominance. Kobi, Jaydon and Keegan made sure that Corby didn’t get a sniff and when things were changed around the subs did there bit too.

The second half began in the same vein with Wellingborough in total command; some good play from Cameron saw the ball break for Corey in the Corby box where he finished well giving us a deserved 3-0 lead.

Further substitutions saw us lose our way a little, but it’s important that all the lads get a game to keep the team morale up. Corby had a break and Keegan (who had taken on the keepers gloves for the 2nd half) was left outnumbered and could do little about Corby’s consolation goal.

After that little blip more good team play allowed Kobi to restore our 3 goal advantage in the latter stages of the game – he was pleased to collect his 1 pound after the game! A little bit of incentive goes a long way.

This was another pleasing performance in what has been an excellent opening season for this team, they are a pleasure to manage and deserve every bit of the success they have achieved so far.

MOTM – All the lads played well today and we have our own Norman Hunter in Jordan Lee-Holmes, but the plaudits today must go to Jack who was fantastic.

Saturday 2/2/2008
Wellingborough Town 5-0 Weekly Rovers Comets

It was a case of back to business today as the boys responded magnificently to last week’s first defeat of the season and gained revenge against another side from Weekly Rovers (whose first team had beaten us last week).

Initially I was worried that we had lost our killer instinct as we played out the first half in complete control but without mustering a single shot on goal. We were let down last week by poor finishing and we looked on for another frustrating day.

Half time saw the manager make a couple of what turned out to be inspired changes, putting Lewis up front and Kobi in midfield.

We were immediately on the attack where Lewis found himself with space and time to unleash a shot from just inside the box which found its way through the Keepers hands into the bottom corner – ‘Get in there’!

Minutes later we scored again – a really pleasing goal where some classic wing play from Jack resulted in an equally good cross which was volleyed in at the far post by Lewis – proper football.

We were now totally in command and playing some lovely stuff, Jack and Harvey added two more goals finishing with good power on each occasion.

The whole team was now playing with great energy – always tracking back when the ball was lost and working hard to win it back.

Keegan finished off a fine team performance which saw the unfortunate Weekly keeper fumble into his own net, but the win was richly deserved – if only we could have finished with the same accuracy last week!

All the watching parents were as pleased with this result as Darren (who gave a faultless refereeing performance) and me as we looked like a team again.

MOTM – Lewis was the main man this week making a real impact from the bench with two crucial strikes.

Saturday 26/1/2008
Weekly Rovers Hurricanes 2 - 0 Wellingborough Town

Ah the bitter taste of defeat!

I’m absolutely gutted for the boys who have been fantastic all season.
We paid a heavy price today for another slow start and were punished twice in as many minutes for some poor defending.

I don’t want to talk about the Weekly goals because I’ve got the right ‘petrol’ at present. Needless to say they were very lucky (not really – they were both well taken efforts).

The other 28 minutes of this game were a one sided affair, to be honest we absolutely battered Weekly but showed a lack of composure in front of goal and had absolutely no luck whatsoever.

The Weekly keeper saved everything that we got on target and there defense was good – as it had to be!

It was a very frustrating game to watch but in the end I suppose it was a good lesson for the boys, we’ve rode our luck at times in previous games and it just ran out today.

In summing up – I couldn’t fault the effort, we shall be doing a bit of shooting practice before next week’s game (against another Weekly side so a good chance for revenge) as the words ‘hitting a cows backside’ and ‘banjo’ do come to mind.

Chins up for next week – and let’s hope we can get back on track with a win.

I almost forgot to mention the Weekly Ref, I won’t go into details (as it would sound like sour grapes) but he made a few interesting decisions and missed one of the Weekly player’s parents saving a certain corner (I kid you not).

MOTM – they all put a lot into it but I feel Harvey deserves some credit for a nonstop all action display from the bench – he must be our most improved player so far this season.

Saturday 15/12/2007
Wellingborough Town 5-2 Kettering Generals

After last weeks postponed game it was good to get back to business, the team was terrific again today against a Kettering Generals side who had won the majority of their games this season.

We started very quickly and had Kettering under constant pressure without creating many openings. Our luck turned when Jaydon was upended in the box, Jack put the penalty away with ease and we were 1 nil up.

We scored again almost directly from the kick-off with Jack scoring his second of the game after a good strike from just outside the box nestled in the bottom corner.

All the good work was undone with a crazy 5 minute spell when we forgot to defend leaving Lewis outnumbered with little chance of stopping an inevitable goal.

A poor goal kick then resulted in an equalizer for Kettering who rolled the ball into an empty net. We came to our senses in time to allow Jack to complete a fine hat-trick before half time.

With Harvey now in goal we kicked off for the second half.
We looked much more solid at the back which allowed us to be more adventurous in attack.

Following a fine through ball by Keegan, Lewis found himself in the Kettering box with plenty of space and time, he finished well and wheeled away in delight.

We never really looked in danger of conceding in the second half and we finished the game off with another goal for Jack who again showed what a good player he is.

This was another fine team performance and a pleasing way to go into the Christmas break – let’s hope the fine form continues in 2008.

MOTM – Jack Daldy for a fantastic all round display and 4 goals.

Saturday 24/11/2007
Wellingborough Town 3-1 Burton Youth Pumas

Another week – another win, today was all about being strong defensively an area where the boys really do well.

Burton Yth Pumas looked like a good side in the warm up fielding a number of big strong lads and for the second week in succession we were made to work for our win.

We started well playing with the slope and kept Burton penned in their own half where the starting lineup of Lewis, Jack, Kobi, Keegan and Corey linked well.

Despite the pressure the ball wouldn’t drop for us until 5 minutes before the break when Jack (continuing his run of excellent form) broke clear and finished with aplomb. This was swiftly followed by a strike from Keegan and we found ourselves 2 up at half time.

Ben took over in goal for the second half and the team had to defend for the 1st few minutes before we once again pushed Burton back into their own half. A long succession of corners finally resulted in a third goal with Jack again on the mark.

A flurry of substitutions broke our concentration a little and allowed Burton to break into our box where Ben was left outnumbered and could to little to prevent a consolation goal for Burton Yth.

The rest of the game was played out without any further scares and we could have had further goals if our shooting had been more accurate (so you all know what we’ll be practicing next week).

The team are still improving and the possibility of going the whole season unbeaten is a good incentive for a great bunch of lads.

MOTM – Jack Daldy – for a solid defensive display capped by a couple of well taken goals.

Saturday 24/11/2007
Weekly Rovers Jets 0- 4 Wellingborough Town

Match week 12 for Wellingborough Town today and our opponents, Weekly Rovers Jets proved to be a hard nut to crack.

It took us a long time to get going, probably due to the bitterly cold conditions that all the teams playing today did well to largely ignore.

We spent the first half camped in the Weekly Rovers box, but absolutely nothing was dropping for us. As we approached half time Kobi executed a perfect turn that saw our luck change and he finished the move well sliding the ball into the corner of the net.

Just before the whistle Jack found himself in possession just outside the area and he too finished well, 2-0 and ‘Happy Days’.

Cory took over in goal (a lonely position at the moment) and the second half kicked off.

We played really well for the rest of the game and made sure Weekly didn’t get sight of goal, the midfield pressed high up the field the entire game and the continuous pressure on the Weekly defence led to a further goal this time Cameron taking the honours.

Some good team play gave Cameron the ball in space with bags of time he stroked the ball confidently past the Weekly keeper for his second of the match and we were home and dry.

Another good performance the boys are playing with great confidence and are a pleasure to coach and manage.

MOTM – No MOTM this week – they were all equally impressive on a very cold day.

Saturday 18/11/2007
Wellingborough Town 5-0 Raunds Tigers

A routine win for Wellingborough today, the lads all went about their business well and got the job done.

Raunds Tigers haven’t won all season but it’s not for want of effort and they made us work hard for the result.

We started slowly, then began to apply constant pressure on the Raunds midfield where good play from Cameron + Keegan led to the ball going loose in the Raunds area where Harvey found himself in space and finished clinically.

After an equally impressive bout of Team celebration the game resumed.

Kobi and Jaydon came on as subs to make an immediate impact both scoring fine solo goals before the whistle sounded for half time. Game Over.

After reviving Corey (our first half keeper) who didn’t touch the ball at all, a quick shirt change resulted in Cameron taking on the Keepers duties.

The second half was a case of ‘more of the same’, we were camped in the Raunds half in total command.

The opposition keeper had a fine game and made a number of brave last ditch saves but we eventually made the next breakthrough with another one for Kobi.

Jaydon doubled his tally having performed another great solo run with an accomplished finish. Raunds built a bit of a late surge but Cameron kept his concentration well in goal and snuffed out any possibility of Raunds troubling the scoreboard.

Another pleasing performance from this team.

MOTM – Kobi Wardell.

Saturday 10/11/2007
Wellingborough Town 4-0 Ise Lodge

I know that I shouldn’t really be thinking this but…

For Wellingborough Town under 7’s read Arsenal FC 2003/04 Season – can we go the whole season unbeaten?

The lads were magnificent again today against an Ise Lodge Eagles side who had won all but 1of their games (a 4-0 loss to Weekly Rovers Hurricanes). We’ll probably lose next week now!

The first 5 minutes were even but Wellingborough emerged looking the more likely to score. Jack duly provided the breakthrough with a fantastic bullet strike into the top corner from outside the box.
From that point on the result was never in doubt, a period of intense pressure resulted in Jordan slotting from close range to give Wellingborough a 2-0 lead at half time.

The 2nd half was a one sided affair and we could/should have had a hatful of goals, we made do with 2.
The first was an outstanding strike into the top corner by Keegan who cut in from the wing and let rip from just inside the box.
Jack rounded things of by getting his second of the game (another good strike) following a good team move.

This side is really blossoming now, showing a good understanding of space, passing and a great team Ethic.
Cameron, Ben, Harvey and Kobi all had good games (Ben + Harvey sharing the goal keeping duties – although neither had anything of not to do).

As I stated earlier – the whole team played well, but MOTM this week goes to Jaydon for a steady Defensive/Midfield display showing maturity beyond his years.

MOTM – Jaydon Taylor.

Saturday 03/11/2007
Corby Kingswood Swifts 0 - 5 Wellingborough Town

The boys were well up for the game today and needed little motivating, in fact it was a struggle to stop them wasting all there energy in the pre-match warm-up!

Early goals are always handy and this team has developed the knack, with Jack opening up the Corby defence in the opening minutes to score a quality solo goal.

Corby were strong and tough in the tackle as we expected them to be but Wellingborough’s superior technique and teamwork saw us reach halftime 3-0 up with further goals from Cameron and Keegan.

I expected a deluge in the 2nd half but much to Corbys credit they stood firm and it took a while for the 4th goal to come, this followed a good passing move involving most of the team and was finished by a delighted Jordan who netted his 2 of the Season.

Jack rounded of the scoring in the last few minutes from close range to cap another fine personal performance.

It’s really pleasing to watch this team develop (all have contributed something) they have come on in leaps and bounds and should feel thoroughly proud of their efforts so far.

MOTM – Jack Daldy

Saturday 27/10/2007
Wellingborough Town 5-0 Volta FC Puma

It’s played 8 won 8 and the boys are getting better each week.

Wellingborough Town were off to a flying start when Keegan scored from our first attack, getting the better of the Volta Pumas keeper with the ball loose in the box.

2 further goals (1 a superbly struck free kick) gave Keegan his hat trick before halftime; good teamwork and passing were the key to our success in a largely one sided 1st half.

Volta came back into it at times in the 2nd half, but tired as the game wore on (due to a lack of subs) and conceded 2 further goals with Jack and Keegan taking the honours.

Special mention should be made for Lewis’s contribution in goal (his 1st goal keeping stint) he made some brave last-ditch saves and did well to keep a clean sheet.

They all played well today and tackled like demons. Let’s hope that we can keep the good form going into next week’s game.

MOTM - Keegan

Saturday 20/10/2007
Volta F.C Tigers 2 - 3 Wellingborough Town

An early start today against a well-organized and strong Volta F.C who gave us a really good game.

We went behind from Volta’s 1st attack in the opening minute.

We started very slowly (The boys clearly like their beds too much) but got back into the game via an equalizer from Jaydon after some good defensive work by Jack and Cameron. All the good work was undone when Volta took a deserved lead just before the break.

The second half saw us really get into our stride when some more good play from Cameron led to another goal for Jaydon.

We took the lead when Jack broke sharply and his short crept under the Volta keeper (who played well) at the near post. More solid defensive work saw us hold on without too many scares.

The lads showed good character and teamwork to come from behind twice to win this one. MOTM – Cameron (Great defending today).

Saturday 13/10/2007
Wellingborough Town 3 - 0 Corby Kingswood Osprey

Another match, another win!

The Wellingborough Town boys played well today and kept their formation and discipline admirably against a tough and resolute Ospreys side, who also played well without ever threatening a goal. So another clean sheet for Harvey ‘The Cat’ Lewis.

An unfortunate deflected goal in an even fist half set us on our way.

The second half was a more one-sided affair with Wellingborough making good use of the sloping pitch.

Two late goals from the outstanding Kobi Wardell made the game safe and gave Kobi his hat trick.

The boys should be proud of their team play and of the excellent passing moves that could have given us a couple more goals.

MOM – Kobi (although they all had great games)

Saturday 6/10/2007
Kettering Generals 0 - 7 Wellingborough Town

Another fantastic result for the Wellingborough Town – is the juggernaut now unstoppable?

It was a cagey 1st half and we took a while to settle, two goals from (the superb) Jack calmed us down and a third from Ben sent us into cruise control.

The 2nd half saw some good interplay that resulted in goals for Kobi and Keegan and a great team performance was capped by a superbly slotted penalty by Lewis, and a deserved hat trick for Jack.

Saturday 22/09/2007
Wellingborough Town 3 - 0 Whitworths

A good performance by Wellingborough Town who really dominated this game.

Playing their first game at the Dog & Duck Wellingborough looked the better team all over the park and took their goals well.

The boys passed well for a team of their age and were quick chasing the ball into space.

Well done boys!

Photos