Whetstone Wanderers Football Club

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Under 9 Lions

Team News

THE FINAL TWO FRIENDLIES

The season has come to an end with two friendlies. The first against Panathaniakos and the second against Hadley Wood Eagles. The game against Panathaniakos ended with a close loss. The Lions went 1 v 0 up at the end of the first half when Nolian shot in from long range. Unfortunately the team lost concentration after half time and  saw a turn round to 1 v 3 down. In the last few minutes Ben pulled back a consulation goal.

The final game saw an exciting end to the season when the Lions ran out 3 v 0 winners against a lower division side. The experience of playing during the season in a higher division against stronger teams was certainly evident. The boys showed an impressive physicality and better composure on the ball. Zack scored a fine goal finishing off a good passing move, Nolian again scored a long range goal and Lawrence finished off with a good strike for his second goal of the season.

These two friendlies conclude our season. April will be a rest month and the team return to training in May to prepare for the summer tournaments. The team looks in good shape for next season. I would like to thank Charlie and Jake for their excellent contribution this season. They are leaving the team to help form a new team within Whetstone Wanderers. Their leaving leaves a great opportunity for the other boys to step up and show the improvement that has occurred during the 2011 - 2012 season. 

In my view the most improved player in the second half of the season has been Nolian. He has played really well in his role as left defence. To his credit he has manged to get forward and score two great goals in the final games.

I look forward to hearing the boys view for Players Player of the Season. My choice for Managers Player of the Season will remain a secret until Presentation Day.

THE END OF THE LEAGUE AND CUP SEASON

The season finished on a slightly disappointing note loosing 5 v 0 away to Harvesters West in the Spring Cup. There were some very noticabale performances on the day. Mustafa played another very accomplished performance and has really settled into the side. Anthony played one of his best games of the season. Andrew came out of goal for 10 minutes to play his first outfield role and played with a huge smile on his face. Ben played in goal and showed off his kicking and throwing ability. Lawrence again was at his best in defence.

There are very positive signs for next year. Jake is leaving for pastures new. My wish is that the rest of the squad stay together for the 2012-13 season. I would also like to offer a big thanks to Matt for his help with the coaching and his input into the development of the team. Barrie too deserves thanks for his help at training.

The squad will be taking a rest in April but will be back together in May to prepare for the Summer Sixes.

Well done all the Lions for a great effort this season. Its been tough but well worth it!

Can I give a special thanks to all the parents for their support. It is really appreciated.

 A FANTASTIC PREFORMANCE WITH NO REWARD

The Lions ended their season with a fine preformance against Panathaniakos only to lose 2 v 1. The Lions completely dominated the game but the season long problem of not scoring enough goals continued to haunt them. Andrew in goal touched the ball three or four times in the game, unfortunately two of these were to retrieve the ball from the net. Panathaniakos's first goal was completely against the run of play when a lack of concentration in defence left Andrew exposed and an inevitable goal. The Lions got back into the game with a lovely move on the right wing lead to a chance for Jake which he buried in his normal style. Further chances for Zack, Marcus, Mustafa and Charlie all looked goal bound either to hit the side netting or be saved.

In the second half Panathaniakos scored their second goal again completely against the run of play when a shot loped over the head and out of reach of Andrew. Further pressure from the Lions came to nothing. At the final whistle there was disappointment through out the team. One of the best preformances of the season had gone unrewarded. There were some fine preformances - Lawrence was excellent in defence through out the game, well supported by Ben in the second half. Mustafa had another tenascious match, Zack played well on the right and Jake again preformed well all over the pitch. Marcus and Samba contributed well going forwards. Andrew had little to do. Charlie was awarded the Lion of the Day for his overall effort and contribution. Many boys deserved to win and it could quite well have been awarded to the whole team.

It was a splendid display to finish the season. The result was very disappointing but after the game the Panathaniakos management were very complimentary and humble in their victory.

Left to right: Mustafa, Samba, Charlie, Marcus, Jake, Ben, Zack, Lawrence and Andrew

LIONS LOOSE OUT IN A TOUGH MATCH

Unfortunately this Sunday 26-2-12, The Lions could not continue their winning ways going down 2 v 3 against Borehamwood 2000. Having beaten them earlier in the season in the prelim games 2 v 1, the confidence was high to repeat the win. The slope of the pitch worked against us in the first half and the Lions conceed two goals. The team lost its shape in the first half partly due to trying the boys in new positions for The Spring Cup. 

The second half started off very well when Jake slotted home neatly after a long throw from Ben on the right side of the pitch. A few minutes later the scores were level when Charlie blasted home from outside the penalty box. A great strike through a crowd of players.

Unfortunately the boys lost their concentration half way throught the second half and conceded a third goal. The Lions battled on and Ben and Marcus both had chances to score. Mustafa had a goal bound shot well saved by the opposition goalkeeper.

A draw would have been a fair result but it was not to be. Jake won the Lion of the Day for his sheer hard work in attack and defence, and his neatly taken goal.

THE LIONS SCORE FOUR

The weekend 19-2-12, The Lions did the double over their great rivals Omonia White. On Sunday they secured a 4 v 1 victory in an exciting game. The Lions got off to a great start when Jake scored in the first minute. The team were then awarded a penalty for a foul on Ben who was playing in an unaccustomed position on the right of midfield. He stepped up to take the penalty only to blast it wide. He made up for the miss five minutes later by scoring the second goal. 2 v 0 at half time was almost too good to believe. The team had a strict talking to at the break to ensure they concentrated in the second half.

The second half started well when Ben challenge the Omonia keeper as he tried to control a back pass, winning the ball and passing to Jake who buried his second goal. Within another 10 minutes the Lions were 4 v 0 up when Charlie pushed forward and shot through a crowd of players to score his third goal of the league season.

In the final few minutes Omonia scored a good consolation goal with a fine shot from their number 9.

A number of players played particularly well. Nolian was excellent in defence and Lawrence next to him was very assured with his tackling. Jake looked back to his best with two cleanly struck goals. Zack excelled himself in the second half, chasing back to make a last ditch tackle to save a potential goal. Ben won The Lion of the Day due to making two of the goals and scoring one of his own.

This sets us up to challenge hard in the Spring Cup. We also look forward to our last league game against Panathaniakos which will have to be rearranged after being cancelled due to the recent snow.

Thank you to all the parents for there excellent support and encouragement. It is much appreciated by the players and particularly the management.

"COME ON YOU LIONS"

The Squad

1. Andrew
2. Lawrence
3. Samba
4. Mustafa
5. Jake
6. Anthony
7. Marcus
8. Ben
9. Charlie
10. Nolian
11. Zack

Left to right: Ben, Jake, Charlie, Zack, Samba, Nolian, Andrew. Lawrence had to leave so is not in the picture

Management

• Manager/coach                                -    David Nesbitt    07956 326874
• Assistant                                          -   Matt Lewis        07816 685135                                                                                                    -   Barrie Thompson 07928 388782
• Social secretary                                -    

Results

Competitions

League Cup Group A (LC) - London FA County Cup (LFA) - Challenge cup (CC) - Spring Cup (SC)

GOAL SCORERS

Jake 8

Charlie 6

Marcus 3

Lawrence 2

Zack 2

Nolian 2

Ben 2

Samba 1

LION OF THE DAY

Charlie 4

Nolian 4

Andrew 3

Lawrence 3

Jake 3

Ben 2

Samba 1

Zack 1

Mustafa 1

Anthony 1

Marcus 1

Team 1

We are now in Green Division with the following teams

ALEXANDRA PARK SOUTH

HADLEY WOOD AND WINGATE FOXES

HARVESTERS WEST

NORTHWOOD WHITE

OMONIA WHITE

PANATHINAIKOS YOUTH

PINNER JFC

WHETSTONE WANDERERS LIONS

You can look at the results and table website for the Green Division: 

http://www.mitoo.com/beta?canvas&mdbtid=144574

Fixtures

End of league and cup season.

10-6-12 Whetstone Summer Sixes.

Home Grounds

Training

Day:                Friday nights

Time:              5.45pm to 7pm

Venue:             Power League, Colney Hatch Lane/ North Circular Road

The “Lions” are sponsored by Alba Import