SUNDAY 8TH JANUARY
Harrow Youth League Division 4
WEALDSTONE 'B' 6-2 VENCEREMOS
The Vs first game of the new year saw them away to Wealdstone. We went into the game confident knowing if we played to our ability and gave 100% the result could be ours. From the first whistle we attacked and within 10 minutes went 1-0 up with a great run and finish from Gregg. Wealdstone retaliated, and with a long ball caught us short and finished well for the equaliser. The Vs carried on attacking and great saves were made from both goalies. Then just before the half time whistle a corner to Wealdstone was not cleared and the Vs paid the price 2-1. Half time talk was lets start working for the ball, beat the bounce and we can get this game back. Into the second half and yet again it was end to end stuff, great saves and attacks were made by both teams. And then with 10 minutes gone the Vs lulled and fell silent for the ball. Wealdstone grabbed this opportunity well by playing four similar attacks which caught the Vs out each time 6-1. With ten minutes remaining we woke up and played some great attacking football, and then a great shot from Kano left the goalie no chance 6-2. The final whistle blew and the result could have been a lot different, but well done to the Wealdstone goalie and ours who made numerous great saves. All the Vs knew where this one went wrong. We did have players missing but hey that's what the squads are for. Well done to our goalie (Rajun), who won Man of the Match. Come on the Vs lets show our opposition this year what we're capable of and get the deserved results. (Well done all). Performance Rating 6.5
Harrow Youth League Division 4
VENCEREMOS 2-0 RUISLIP RANGERS 'C'
A great start to 2012 for the Junior Vs who got their reward for a tenacious performance against opponents who had lost only once in their previous nine league games. We started well and Ben gave us the lead volleying home Lewis D's excellent corner from close range. We remained on top with tireless performances from Ryan and Glen in midfield. Ruislip did create some chances but Leo in goal was very alert when required and we then doubled our lead, Josh heading goalwards from a corner, the ball being helped in by a Ruislip defender. After the break playing up the slope we defended very well as a team and it was really only in the last 10 minutes that Ruislip threatened. At the other end we created a number of very good openings but couldn't finish things off with Ruislip putting in a number of brave challenges. This was a performance which demonstrated the importance of competing for 60 minutes and the value of good communication throughout the team. All 14 players deserve credit for their contribution but special mention for Josh who was outstanding which was all the more poignant given that it was the first time his Dad had watched him play.
Performance Rating 9.0
Friendly
LONDON ATHLETIC 0-2 VENCEREMOS
The V's started the year with a friendly fixture against a very competitive London Athletic team. The first 10 minutes was a very scrappy affair but once the boys started to pass the ball around they began to stretch the opposition. Ronaldo made some good bursts forward and was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when he appeared to be tripped by the goalkeeper on 15 minutes. The V's midfield were well on top of the opposition and it came as little surprise that we took the lead on 20 minutes when Niall controlled the ball on his chest before volleying home from 12 yards. The second half saw the V's once again dominant with Sami, Ollie and Jordan all making good runs on the flanks. Alex and Fred had everything under control in defence and the boys were able to press forward at will. Troy was presented with two good chances but delayed his shot for too long on one and hit the top of the crossbar with another. A jinking run and shot from Niall was deflected for a corner and Jordan's free kick was deflected wide off Troy. The game was settled with 10 minutes to go when Jordan's powerful shot from the left edge of the box proved too strong for the London goalkeeper. A good positive team start for the year with Niall's all action performance securing him man of the match status. Performance Rating 8.0
Harrow Soccer Sevens Combination Division 4
BROOK HOUSE 3-1 VENCEREMOS
On paper this looked a tough game for the V's against a Brook House side that were promoted with a 100% record averaging over 7 goals per game in phase 1. On the pitch the V's battled well in a competitive first half. Chances were few and far between and the V's could have taken the lead after a quick throw from Ben found Sam K who squared to Rikin but his first time shot went wide. V's limited Brook House to one chance in the first half that hit the post and James had little to do in goal thanks to the collective tackling and hard work from all the outfield players. The second half began badly for the V's as they conceded two quick goals when perhaps they could have defended better. Daniel made a great save but couldn't keep out the rebound for the second goal. The V's reacted well to this hammer blow and kept plugging away and showed some good attacking play but couldn't create any clear chances. Brook House put the game beyond reach on 38 mins but the V's never gave up and were rewarded with a goal as Rikin netted from close range on 50 mins. George almost added a second in added time but his shot flew over the bar. Despite the result the boys put in a good performance for the opening game of phase 2.
Performance Rating 8.0