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Updated Wednesday 24 June
The YEL Divisional Committee will meet early July to formulate the Divisions for the 2008/2009 season. All teams have until 30 June 2008 to submit by email (to Kev Cooper) any requests for special consideration for promotion & relegation. The Divisional Committee will compile the Divisions based on the number of entries received, all Champions & Runners up will be automatically promoted, all other decisions including relegation are decided by the Divisional Committee. At some age groups we have lots of new teams and there may be more Divisions than last season in some age groups, which results in lots of teams changing Divisions. The Invoices for League fees have been sent out and need to be paid by 30 June, the Divisions will not be set until all Clubs have paid the League Fees. Further information on the format of the u8s sections for the 2008/2009 season will be announced soon. |
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Nov
04
2007
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Under 10 Whites Penalty Agony |
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Sunday, 04 November 2007 |
In todays FA Shield game the Clifton Fc under 10 whites felt the agony of a penalty shoot out.
Like Psycho and Waddle in Italia 90, Roberto Baggio in USA 94, Southall in Euro 96, Batty in France 1998, Beckham in Portugal 2004, Lampard in Germany 2006, not to mention Diana Ross in the opening ceremony of the world cup in USA in 94, the mighty whites yesterday sufferered the agonies and heartbreak of defeat in a penalty shhot out against Wollaton Hall. The game was played at a frantic pace throughout in a match that had the crowd chewing their finger nails right down to the 12th and final penalty kick. Wollaton started the stronger and took a somewhat fortuitous lead with a deflected shot that squirmed through stand in keeper Luca's legs as he desperately tried to prevent the ball from crossing the line. The whites came back strongly and pressed forward as they went for the equaliser. Reo forced a good save from the Wollaton keeper and headed just over from a corner,
whilst the two wide men, Shay and Louis, both went on mesmerising runs that ended in Wollaton hacking the ball away from in front of their own goal. The teams turned around at 1-0 and the game was still hanging finely in the balance. Birthday boy Dylan came on for Reo and caused panic in the Wollaton rearguard, twice going close with brave efforts.
The breakthrough looked inevitable and it finally came from the foot of capatain "Marvel" Makade who sent a free kick into the top corner following a slight deflection. At 1-1 the game swung back in Wollaton's favour and the defence, ably led by Man of the Match Conor and recently appointed City boys Under 10s captain Gizzy, had to be on their best form to repel waves of Wollaton attacks. When Wollaton finally broke through Luca stood up bravely and parried with his feet.
The action then swung to the other end of the pitch and Damon lofted a great ball over the keeper's head that Shay was just unable to convert as he narrowly avoided collision with the post. Reo then raced on to a great Louis through ball, only for the Wollaton keeper to pull off a fine save. It seemed almost inevitable that the game would go into extra time and this proved to be the case as both teams tired. Extra time came and went in a whirl as both managers used their substitutes as they tried to find a winner that would spare their boys the trials of a penalty shoot out. Alas it was not to be and the match had to be decided by the lottery known as penalty kicks.
Luca performed heroics, keeping out 2 Wollaton penalties, but the Wollaton goalkeeper more than matched him and, with the score tied at 3-3 after 5 penalties each, Wollaton snatched victory with a hard hit penalty and the mighty Whites were out! How many times have we heard that a penalty shoot out is no way to decide a cup tie, but until an alternative is discovered, then we just have to live with it. Both teams put in a tremendous performance which was greatly appreciated by everyone who had stayed at Charnwood until 1.30 to see its conclusion!! The boys put in a phenomenal amount of effort and certainly did not deserve to lose in this manner, but football can be cruel at times and we have to learn from this.
The worst thing is that we will not even be able to go off and earn thousands making a tv advert for pizza hut, like Pearce, Waddle and Southgate!! It was great to have Shay back in the team, his pace, skill and determination are a welcome addition and he was the worthy winner of the Manager's player of the match.
As already mentioned, Conor was Man of the match following a brave display, sometimes putting his head in places in which a lot of players would hesitate to use their feet. We had great support from the side and as the tension mounted there were fears that Makade's baby brother or sister was going to come early and that would have a been a first, even for Clifton FC, a baby delivered pitchside during a penalty shoot out. Mind you, I don't know who would have delivered the baby or gone to fetch the ambulance, as we were all focussing on the match!!!
The boys showed tremendous character and although one or two tears were shed at the end, they were all in fine voice as they sang Dilbert happy birthday and were further cheered as he shared his birthday minstrels with his team mates,which once again speaks volumes for the spirit that we have in the team. So next week we make the trip up and over the hill to Carlton, looking to get points on the board in the league in what is proving to be an extremely challenging and interesting season.
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