U12 Boys - Brooksie vs U12 Boys Pelicans Tournament

The team welcome Jasper and Leo from the older age group who settled quickly into the side.

Pelicans saw themselves face Norwich City in the first game and they went out strong.

Max Hawkins converting a perfectly weighted Oscar Gager-Brooks pass into the D. The goal scored in under 30 seconds.

The team went from strength to strength a peppered the City keeper with shots.

With the play broken down Pelicans demonstrated a passing master class. Max making a decisive challenge high up the field and had nowhere to go. He turned well and passed the ball backwards to Oscar on the left wing. Oscar passed back to Mika and left defence who quickly ushered the ball right to Leo Rowland. Leo, in full, in full control as always, kept a level head and passed out wide right to Jasper Allen. A quick cross saw Henry Ashby with a superb team goal.

The game ended 2-0 Pelicans.

The team oozed confidence and walked off with heads high.

Game 2 drew us against our closest, geographically, rivals; Wisbech Town.

Pelicans started quickly and closed down every Wisbech attack with ease. Quick passing saw Pelicans have no end of chances. The Wisbech keeper certainly earned his keep!

Another quick passing move around the back saw Pelicans with another excellent scoring opportunity. This time Jasper sending a cross high for Max to latch onto. Max held the ball and waited for his scoring opportunity, slotting the ball neatly to the bottom right post.

Monty Neave looked on, his second game without touching the ball.

Final score 1-0 Pelicans.

Back to their winning ways the boys sat, eagerly awaiting their 3rd group game against Magpies.

Confidence showed from the off and pelicans put on a show as they were shooting towards the crowd, parents watching on.

This game was pure brilliance from the Pelicans side. Every player showed their skills and ability.

Henry Ashby rounded two Magpies players before tickling the ball across to Max who opened the scoring.

This goal was equalled with a superb run from Jasper who found Oscar Gager-Brooks wide in the left. With work to do Oscar controlled the ball well, took it onto his reverse and with a powerful strike saw the ball into the bottom right corner.

Goal number 3 came from a brilliant show of defensive dominance. Leo; cool, calm, and collected, as always, made a powerful challenge. He kept possession and started another display of excellent passing between the team. Leo to Mika, Mika to Oscar, Oscar to Henry, Henry to jasper and back again. An attack straight from the training field with every outfield player receiving a pass, controlling the ball, and then making a pass. Henry finding a beautiful final pass for Max to latch onto, lifting the ball high into the net.

With only 4 minutes left the game was 3-0, it is always good scoring goals against Magpies!

However, the boys were not quite done!

This time Mika doing exactly as asked. He drove the ball forwards making simple, well-timed passes back and forth with Henry before sending a fast cross to Jasper who converted with ease.

The fifth and final goal saw Pelicans demonstrate more simple passing. Mika took a 16 and passed to Oscar who, after a quick 1-2 with Henry put a hard cross through the Magpies defence for Jasper to poke in at the back post.

5-0 Pelicans and a fine example of what this team are capable of.

Through the final which drew us against Norwich City A team.

There is not a great deal to say, a hard-fought game saw chances come and go. Both keepers made save after save before Monty twisted his ankle lunging forward allowing an open goal for City to convert.

Jasper hit the post 3 times in quick succession, but Pelicans could not score.

The game ended 1-0 Norwich and Pelicans placed 2nd overall.

A tournament of new positions, new team members and a lot of potential.

Special mentions:

Monty Neave for staying switched on throughout despite having nothing to do for 3 games! Excellent team captain.

Mike Verdoes, listening. Quick thinking and simple passes.

Leo Rowland for staying calm regardless of pressure from the opposition. Commanding the defence and making hockey look easy.

Oscar Gager-Brooks for selfless running off the ball, dragging defending players wide and out of the way for his team to progress forward.

Henry Ashby, stepped in centre midfield and acted as an excellent playmaker for his team. Strong tackles and beautiful passes all day.

Jasper Allen for battling through an injury, a change of position and still bagging himself some goals!

Max Hawkins, you really are a goal machine! Did not out a foot wrong all day!

I am looking forward to coaching and managing this team for future tournaments!