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Date: 8th Nov
Competition: League
Opponents: Harpenden Colts Buccaneers 3-3
Scorers:Bradley Bridges, Neil Shah, o.g.
MOTM: Bradley Bridges
Match Report :
If ever the expression "a game of two halves" applied to a football match, this was it. Having only narrowly lost 3-2 to second in the table Harpenden in the League earlier this season, we were hopeful of getting a result in the League Cup.
By halftime, things didn't look promising, Kestrels were 3-0 down, thanks to a combination of ball watching from Kestrels and a couple of unstoppable strikes from the Harpenden No. 9.
We discussed the situation during the break and the boys agreed that we needed to get the tackles in, win the ball, because without the ball, we're going nowhere! And, true to their word, that is exactly what they did right from the restart.
Some great tackling at the back from Alastair, Josh and debutant Dan, also in the midfield from Charlie and Matty meant we had much more possession, and this was soon turned into a goal when Bradley picked up the ball in his own half, put his head down and went off on a run that took him past most of the Harpenden team before he smashed the ball into the net...1 goal back, 2 to go...surely not!
Before long, it was definitely looking like the tide had turned, Kestrels were winning every 50-50 ball (and a few 40-60 ones!) and an excellent passing move involving Neil, Bradley, and our other debutant Max ended up with a cool finish from Neil, 2-3 and still plenty of time to go...!
By now it was pretty much one way traffic, with Kestrels pressing hard for the equaliser, Neil went close again and Max, who was winning tackles left right and centre, and running rings round some of the Harpenden player, had an effort cleared off the line, Bradley whipped in a couple of dangerous free kicks, but it seemed that we were heading for a repeat of the League scoreline.
But...with 2 or 3 minutes to go, persistent Kestrels pressure resulted in a series of corners, with even goalie Dan coming forward to try and snatch us the equaliser, and the pressure finally paid off with seconds to go when Bradley drilled in yet another corner and it was just turned over the line by a Harpenden defender, unlucky for him perhaps, but definitely deserved by Kestrels! 3-3, with practically the last kick of the game...great stuff, but this is definitely not good for the nerves, boys!
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Date: 18th Oct
Competition: League
Opponents: Rickmasworth Youth Rangers
Scorers:Neil Shah
MOTM: Charlie Francis
Match Report :
To follow ...
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Date: 11th Oct
Competition: Intermediate cup
Opponents: Watford Youth
Scorers:
MOTM: Daniel
Match Report :
With the Kestrels Manager, flying across London in a helicopter, his not so able bodied deputy took the reins for this cup match against table toppers, Watford Town Youth.
The Kestrels started brightly and Neil up front got onto a couple of great through balls only to be thwarted by a strong WTY defence. The half was very tight with both teams getting good early tackles in which, broke up the flow of the game. The Kestrels had a great chance to score midway through the first half when a free kick on the edge of the area was struck beautifully by Bradley but went inches wide. WTY scored just before half time when after a corner the ball broke to a WTY player on the right hand edge of the area. Rather than close the player down the Kestrels this time stood back and watched as the player controlled the ball and struck a shot passed Daniel in goal giving him no chance.
The second half was an equally level affair, Mathew and Charlie battled well in midfield and Alistair & Joshua made some telling interventions at the back. Bradley & Neil were full of running and man of the match Daniel in goal was superb. It took a goal scored with the very last kick of the game to secure victory for WTY. The boys should be proud of their display today; I have seen some real improvement in the few weeks the boys have been playing together.
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Date: 20th Sept
Competition: League
Opponents: Herons
Scorers: Bradley Bridges (2) Neil Shah
MOTM: Bradley Bridges
Match Report :
The match kicked off in warm September sunshine and was fairly even for the first 10 minutes or so, there was a scare when Herons hit the post, but Kestrels gradually started taking control of the game, creating several good chances, Neil, Daniel (swapping the goalkeepers jersey for a midfield role) and Charlie all went very close to scoring.
At the other end, Alastair and Ben were defending well, with Jack winning some important tackles just in front of them, and Bradley showed he can stop goals as well as score them!
Unfortunately, and against the run of play, we found ourselves 1-0 down just on the stroke of half time thanks to a very powerful angled shot from a Herons striker.
Daniel took over in goal for the second half, and after just a couple of minutes found himself having to face a Herons penalty, which looked a very doubtful handball to say the least. Daniel did get to the ball, but it was too powerful to keep out, 0-2 and we were all feeling very hard done by.
As we've seen from their previous two matches however, one thing the Kestrels do NOT do is give up, and before long, Neil was sprinting away from the Herons defence and drilled the ball past the keeper.
By now the Kestrels were putting some good passing moves together and before long we were on level terms after a cracking volley from Bradley...2-2!
There were a few nervy moments in defence as Herons won a series of corners, but some great defending kept them at bay and then, with just a few minutes to go, Bradley broke away again and tucked the ball under the keeper, 2-3 Kestrels!
It wasn't over yet though, a Herons free kick right at the end was tipped over the bar superbly by Daniel, and there was some desparate defending needed before the final whistle meant a first win for the Kestrels...if they play the way they did this week, it'll be the first of many I'm sure!
Well done to all 7 players, you did myself and the big group of Kestrels supporters proud!
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Date: 6th Sept.
Competition: League
Opponents: Watford Town Youth 5 NWR Kestrels 1
Scorers: Bradley Bridges, Jack Miller
MOTM: Bradley Bridges
Match Report :
It was a real pleasure watching 7 boys, who had never played together as a team, run their little socks off, lose 5-1 and end the game with grins like Cheshire Cats. Our newly formed Kestrels did themselves and Nascot Wood Rangers proud, with a battling performance against a strong established Watford Youth team.
The Kestrels started the strongest and created a couple of half chances before WTY even got in our half. With the whole team battling and tackling hard and ` Dan Dan the Keeper Man’ dealing with anything WTY could throw at us, I was surprised when WTY finally scored and even more so when thy got another soon after. Just before half time a great run and cross by Jack was nearly converted by both Ben and Neil.
In the second half, the hot weather and lack of substitutes started to take its toll on our boys, who started to blow a little. It took a great strike to beat Dan for they’re third goal; it even took the Ref a couple of minutes to get the ball out of the back of the net, where it had got stuck behind the goal support. Despite conceding another couple of goals the boys kept going and got their just rewards when a huge throw from Jack was headed in by Bradley after their goalkeeper failed to grasp the ball in both hands.
I’d like to mention Alistair and Charlie at the back, who gave sterling performances under lots of 2nd half pressure. A great display by the whole team, despite the result, well played you Kestrels.
