Cambs mini soccer league 11A

Thurlow Youth 4

Aztec Juniors 2

High flying Aztec Juniors travelled to Thurlow with a cup final date looming and a league record of thirteen wins out of thirteen. A narrow victory at Linton earlier in the season meant this had the makings of a great match. Aztecs started brightly with a flourish of early pressure testing the Thurlow defence but it was not long before the trademark passing of this entertaining Thurlow team soon dominated the play. Goodings was pulling the strings in midfield and created openings for Williamson and Bailey. Bates on the left worried the Aztecs defence every time he received the ball and anything going towards the Thurlow goal was calmly dealt with by Ripp and Wilson. The first goal came 17 minutes into the first half when an Aztec attack was broken up by Culley who played a precise pass over to Williamson. The Aztecs keeper tried to close down the oncoming forward only to see a classy first time volley lobbed over his head and into the goal. The visitors realised they had a game on their hands and tried to step up the pace but it will still Thurlow making all the running. Goodings, who was having an outstanding game in midfield, won the ball on the right, cut inside a defender and let fly a thunderbolt that smashed onto the post and agonisingly run the length of the goal line before the Aztec defence could clear the danger. With the first half coming to a close Aztecs attacked down the right and played the ball across the Thurlow area, Bluett’s sliding interception pushed the ball goal wards, leading to a moment of hesitation for Brown unsure if it was a back pass, which allowed the ball to squirm past him and into the net to level things up at half time. With little done wrong in the first period the management team could only say more of the same and that's what they got. Bates and Goodings continued to make life difficult for the Aztec defence and a series of attacks was dealt with by desperate defending. Captain Wilson picked up the ball from his defensive position and carried forward first beating one Aztec player then another before he fired in a vicious strike which looked goal bound only to see a defender block then put his attempted clearance off one of his team mates and into his own net. Thurlow did not let up now they had the advantage Culley, Walsh and Bluett made their presence felt with tough tackling and dangerous attacking. Good work form Marsh on the right set Bailey away who picked his spot and gave the home side a two goal advantage.Thurlow added to their tally when Bates put the ball through to Goodings who had the choice of Williamson to his left Bailey to his right or the preferred option of a shimmy and slot home for the fourth. As the game entered the last ten minutes Aztecs looked a bit livelier, a cross from the right was well met by the Aztec attacker but the excellent Brown saved point blank only to see the rebound fall straight back to the Aztec player who pushed his shot across the line taking a piece of Brown as he courageously tried to save again. With the score now 4-2 Aztecs found a renewed energy and forced a string of corners to put pressure on the home team but Thurlow soon returned to their football and played the remaining minutes out in the Aztec half going close on a couple more occasions. The 'Kirtling Garage Man of the Match' Harry Wilson.

Cambs Mini Soccer League 11A

Thurlow Youth 2
West Wratting Youth 4

Wratting travelled to Thurlow with the intention of overturning the result from earlier in the season. They took to the field evidently hungrier and more determined, their players seemed half a yard quicker to every ball. The visitors took the early spoils when a ball fired into the box struck the arms of Marsh as he tried to protect his face and the referee pointed to the spot. Stevenson stepped up and powered the ball into the corner out of Smith’s reach. The game had barely restarted when a loose ball in the Thurlow half was met by Wilson who sent a missile into the Wratting net for probably one of the finest strikes you’ll ever see.With the score level the game was moving from box to box both teams looking for an advantage. Lambert latched onto a long ball through the Thurlow defence and cut it smartly in from a tight angle to restore the lead. Scotton fired in before the interval to make it 3 -1 to the visitors at half-time. A change in formation also meant a change in attitude as the Thurlow players took to the field for the second half. Bates became more and more influential in midfield and the home side started to believe they could make it more of a contest. It hit like a hammer blow when Culley’s clearance rebounded straight into the path of Ager who finished coolly. Wratting now picked up the pace forcing a series of corners making Thurlow work hard to keep it to four. A speedy Thurlow break brought a foul on the edge of the Wratting area. Wilson stepped up and slotted home his second. Thurlow tried to muster a late assult on Wrattings goal but the defence stood firm and held their deserved 4-2 victory.

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Kirtling Garage Man of the Match ..... Harry Wilson 

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Cambs Mini-soccer League 11A

Wilbraham Warriors 1
Thurlow Youth 14 

Five weeks since their last league fixture so Thurlow could have been forgiven if they produced a rusty performance but right from the off Thurlow attacked with a force stronger than the winds that had been blowing around Cambridge the previous night. After a couple of close calls from the visitors the first goal came seven minutes into the game when a flowing one touch sequence of passes that went from one goal area to the other was finished by Williamson. Within ten minutes Williamson had his hat-trick and three more goals before half-time followed from Bates, Walsh and the pick of first half goals a scorching free-kick from Culley. The woodwork was also struck twice, first by Bailey and then the keeper finger tipped a screamer from Ripp on to the post from a shot just inside the Wilbraham half. The second period continued in the same vain as Goodings notched four, Marsh bagged two, Bailey grabbed one and Bates picked up his second to bring the tally to fourteen. All these players were instrumental in creating goals as well as scoring. Wilbraham showed great heart and got their reward with a late consolation goal. Outstanding performances today from Marsh, Bates and the Kirtling Garage ‘man of the match’ Callum Williamson.

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11-a-side Friendly 3/2/08

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Soham United 2
Thurlow Youth 7

Thurlow Youth under 11’s took to the 11-a-side pitch for the first time in a friendly against Soham United on a cold windy Sunday morning and you would have thought they had been playing it all season.

In the first meaningful attack of the game Thurlow forced a corner. Culley put the ball over and as the Soham defence struggled to clear Captain Harry Wilson powered home the loose ball. Soham responded quickly and within three minutes had leveled the score. This seemed to signal Thurlow to start playing the football we now come to expect of them.

Soham were finding it difficult to gain possession and when they did Thurlow's hard working defence and midfield closed down and retrieved the ball. Marsh and Goodings combined well on the right and their understanding was giving the forwards the opportunity to run at the Soham defence.

Halfway through the first half Bates set Tolosi away on goal who took his chance clinically to make it 2-1. Soon after Grocott finished stylishly from Bailey’s square pass and then Mason Iron scored the goal of the game lobbing the keeper from 40 yards out after Goodings cut the defence with a pin point pass.

With the score 4-1 at half time the near freezing conditions could not dampen the spirit of the boys and they started the second half the same way they finished the first, working hard, passing well and dominating play. Iron combined well with Bailey and grabbed his second of the game.

Solid defensive work broke down a Soham attack, Goodings again played a superb through ball allowing Tolosi to break from the halfway line. His speed and strength was too much for the Soham defence as he shrugged off a couple of challenges and calmly picked his spot for his second of the game and Thurlow’s sixth.

Iron then picked up his hat trick goal from close range and was unlucky not to grab a fourth as he pushed the ball fractionally too far when he had just the keeper to beat. Soham pulled another goal back in the closing stages and Smith who had looked solid the whole game pulled off a spectacular save in the dying seconds to show that this really was a TEAM performance.

Man of the Match: Mason Iron

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Cambs Mini-soccer League 11A - 3/11/07

Thurlow Youth 2
Whittlesford Warriors 1

The match with Whittlesford Warriors was always going to be a tight affair as Whittlesford, having won their four league and cup games played this season, were confident and looking to keep the run going. Thurlow however had no intention of giving up their unbeaten record and from the first whistle took the game to the Warriors with great energy. Goodings starting in the centre looked menacing with great dribbling skills and combined well with fellow midfielders Marsh and Bates. Bailey tested the Warriors keeper early who saved well, in fact that was to be the story of the first half as Thurlow dominated while Whittlesford struggled to get to grips with the speed and quality of Thurlow’s passing football. But for the keeper denying Williamson, Bates, Goodings and Marsh, Whittlesford could have finished the first period several goals down. In the last few minutes of the first half Whittlesford had a good spell as a few errors crept into the Thurlow game.

Bailey Blasts Hat-trick On Debut

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Cambs Mini-soccer League 11A - 12/01/08

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Hundon Hawks 0

Thurlow Youth 5

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These two teams had met the previous week and what we got was more of the same, hard work and great football.

After several days of heavy rain the pitch was barely playable but this did not deter the teams from putting on an entertaining match. Thurlow still managed to play a good passing game despite the conditions. Marsh opened the scoring, Bailey and Bates both bagged two each and Smith kept Thurlow’s fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Goodings played superbly on the wing creating a couple of goals, several more chances and was unlucky not to get in on the scoring as the Hundon keeper made a string of fine saves from numerous Goodings efforts. Hundon looked to have carved out a couple of good chances only to be denied by great defensive work from Ripp and Wilson.

But the star of the show was Thurlow’s Tommy Bates with his central midfield performance. He showed his full range today of tackling, tricks and playmaking with two goals for good measure which earns him this weeks Kirtling Garage 'man of the match' trophy.

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Cambs Mini-soccer League 11A - 05/01/08

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Thurlow Youth 6

Hundon Hawks 0

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No ill after effects from the Christmas break showed in this match. Thurlow displayed their usual quality passing football, while Hundon worked industriously.

The first goal was scored by Marsh after great work Williamson and Bailey. Bailey got the second soon after and it was not until the end of the first half that Thurlow broke through the hard working Hundon defence with Wilson powering home his first of the season from Williamson’s corner. Goodings menaced constantly down the right hand side and set up several gilt edged chances in the second half that the strikers failed to take advantage of.

Walsh grabbed his first Thurlow goal chasing down a ball the keeper didn’t deal with. Goodings wing play finally paid off with Bates finishing a pin point cross from another great run. Mid way through the second half Bluett swept across from the opposite side of the pitch to break up an attack then went on a solo run which saw him dribble through several Hundon players only to see his shot saved.

The final goal was that man Marsh again with a thunderbolt from 25 yards out to make the final score 6-0.

This was an excellent team performance with the added bonus of Bates and midfield dynamo Culley returning from injury.
The Kirtling Garage ‘man of the match’ trophy was awarded to Connor Goodings.

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Cambs League Under 11A - 3/11/07

Thurlow Youth 2
Whittlesford Warriors 1

The match with Whittlesford Warriors was always going to be a tight affair as Whittlesford, having won their four league and cup games played this season, were confident and looking to keep the run going. Thurlow however had no intention of giving up their unbeaten record and from the first whistle took the game to the Warriors with great energy. Goodings starting in the centre looked menacing with great dribbling skills and combined well with fellow midfielders Marsh and Bates. Bailey tested the Warriors keeper early who saved well, in fact that was to be the story of the first half as Thurlow dominated while Whittlesford struggled to get to grips with the speed and quality of Thurlow’s passing football. But for the keeper denying Williamson, Bates, Goodings and Marsh, Whittlesford could have finished the first period several goals down. In the last few minutes of the first half Whittlesford had a good spell as a few errors crept into the Thurlow game.tyfc

With the game drawn goaless the second half started, Culley and Bluett were using their power and pace to great effect but still the Whittlesford defence held firm. The Warriors were competing well now and the game became more end to end but Thurlow still had the majority of the play. Bailey looking sharp today, was first to react to a poor ball across the Whittlesford back line he flashed in and finished superbly. The visitors were not giving up, they dug deep and started pushing forward. A quick throw and knock on put a Whittlesford player clear who finished excellently to level the scores. The game became more physical with both teams wanting the result Ripp and Wilson, who had enjoyed a quiet first half, were now being called into the game more and more and worked tirelessly to protect their keeper Smith who had shaken off the disappointment of the earlier goal and was looking solid between the posts. Thurlow turned the tempo up yet again and put the Whittlesford keeper under more pressure desperately searching for a winner. This eventually came via a scorcher from ‘Action Man’ Culley who latched on to a ball just inside the Whittlesford half and let fly an unstoppable rocket that any premiership player would be proud of. This made the score 2-1 to Thurlow which it stayed until the final whistle.

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Joint Kirtling Garage Man of the Match

Connor Goodings and Harry Wilson

Team; Smith, Ripp, Wilson, Bluett, Bates, Culley, Marsh, Goodings, Bailey, Williamson
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Under 11 Knockout Cup Round 1 - 27/10/07

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Thurlow Youth 3

Mildenhall Town 2

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Thurlow Youth made hard work of the Knockout cup first round tie. A late night Halloween party for some of the boys must have left a few cobwebs as Thurlow struggled to find their usual flowing football. A goal from Goodings after neat work by Bates within the first two minutes should have spurred them on to a comfortable victory but the pacey Mildenhall team looked lively and up for this match. Halfway through the first half Mildenhall equalised with a quick break. Thurlow responded immediately with Bates taking the ball on the left then passing across the centre of the pitch to Marsh. Marsh beat one man then drove the ball home to regain the lead. Ripp and Wilson were working hard as their defensive partnership continues to blossom. Smith was having another fine game in the Thurlow goal. Williamson was introduced and was unlucky with a first time shot then a one on one with the keeper. Culley bossed the midfield and Bailey continued to be a nuisance up front. Another lightning break from Mildenhall was thwarted by a fantastic tackle from Bates as their striker was about to shoot. The first half finished with Thurlow holding a one goal lead.

The second half saw Thurlow start with the better football but Mildenhall continued to throw balls up field to their speedy forwards. Goodings and Bailey were banging on the Mildenhall door but their defence held firm. With the game coming towards its end Thurlow pushed for a third but as the move broke down Mildenhall countered effectively found their striker and equalised. The game looked like it was going in to extra-time but Thurlow now came to life, Culley was creating havoc in midfield along with Marsh and Bates. Williamson harassed the Mildenhall defenders closing down and tackling strongly. The ball broke loose in the box with just seconds remaining and Williamson smashed goalwards. The keeper was beaten but the ball nicked off Goodings knee on the way in so Williamson will have to settle with an assist but a very important one.

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The Kirtling Garage Man of the Match was awarded to Tommy Bates goal assists and saving tackles while playing with a smile on his face.

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Team: Smith Ripp Bares Wilson Goodings Culley Bailey Marsh Williamson

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Williamson and Bates Net Derby Victory
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Cambs League 11A - 20/10/07

West Wratting Youth     1

Thurlow Youth               2

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A glorious October day, a superb playing surface and a crowd that appreciate good football was the order of the day at West Wratting for a local derby match and the teams didn’t fail to deliver a feast of attractive football and determination.

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From the kick-off both teams passed the ball well when they had possession and worked hard when they didn’t. The game looked very even and it took a magical defense splitting pass from George Culley to send Williamson clear with just the keeper to beat. He kept his nerve and coolly slotted the ball home to send the visitors into the lead. Thurlow were now playing with confidence and started to put pressure on the home side not allowing them to play their renowned passing game. A piece of individual brilliance from Bush brought the score level and West Wratting were back in the game.

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Thurlow continued to push forward closing down the Wratting players in their own half and a series of throw-ins and hard work from Marsh on the right finally resulted in Goodings sending in a dangerous cross. Williamson saw a gap then shot first time, Millar could only parry the ball away. Bates reacted quickest as he controlled then fired in to restore the Thurlow lead. Soon after Wilson picked up the ball just inside the Wratting half and hit a thunderbolt forcing a fine save from Millar. Wratting continued to apply pressure and Lambert was unlucky not to equalize before half time.

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The second half started and as before both teams delighted the spectators with their commitment and quality. Culley was outstanding in midfield along side Bailey who worked between midfield and attack. Bluett, Marsh and Bates tirelessly supported their defenders then played eye-catching football to supply the forwards. Wratting kept asking questions with strong attacks especially from the excellent Bush but Smith had all the answers and the defensive pairing of Ripp and Wilson stood firm as Wratting pushed for the equalizer. Thurlow continued to look dangerous and Bailey, Goodings and Marsh all had chances to extend the lead.

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At the final whistle everyone applauded a fine display of football played in a great spirit by both teams.

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The Kirtling Garage Man of the Match trophy was awarded to George Culley, another superb performance.

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Team:

Smith, Brown, Bluett, Ripp, Bates, Wilson, Goodings, Culley, Bailey, Marsh, Williamson

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