24th June 2006 - St Nicolas Tournament

Squad - Jordan/Ben/Adam/Jack S/Henry/Thomas B/Harry/Daniel

St Nic Sporting v Weddington Thistle 0 - 1

An unfortunate loss for the boys for this opening game.

Good defence techniques by Thomas and Henry. All the boys worked well as a team and demonstrated some great passes to each other. Good play from Adam, marking up and down the wing.
Great confidant saves from jordan and goal kicks out, Thomas defended well putting one particular goal strike out.
An unfortunate penalty taken by Weddington Thistles saw them win the match in the last few minutes. Bad luck to our boys.


St Nics Sporting v Westfield Wanderers 1 - 0

Excellent play by our boys who really got things together this match. Close play and tightening up of the defence really paid off.
Harry scored in his first game and first for the club - brilliant!.
The boys looked totally in control and never looked like losing.
Excellent tactical substitution - when Henry hobbled off injured. M. (Gordon Bennett) Bray said it changed the game when Thomas came on!!
An excellent and well deserved win by the boys.

St Nics Sporting v Bulkington Bulletts 1 - 0

A great game yet again by the boys!.
The first few minutes saw a strike taken by Henry, which proved the confidence the boys were showing. Good play by Harry down the wing which led to a brilliant goal to take the lead. Great defence by Jack to prevent Byulkington from putting an equaliser in!. Excellent passes and great team work shown by all the boys in this game.
The boys held onto the lead to win a fantastic game

St Nics Sporting v Chetwynd Dragons. 1 - 1

The opening few seconds saw Chetwynd score a great goal, which caught our boys off guard. Great break aways by our boys saw us take some great shots.
Good defence by Thomas and Ben, who worked well together to tighten things up for Chetwynd. Brilliant tackling by Daniel, and an exciting goal from our boys to equalise. Great team work by the boys yet again.

St Nics Sporting v St Nics Colts 0 - 5

Added pressure in this game for our boys to win 3 - 0 to see us into the semis!.
Thomas was injured and was brought off to be replaced by Adam.
Great saves from Jordan , and good controlled goal kicks out.
Great marking up from our boys for the opposition
The boys showed some great defence tactics, but the skill from the Colts saw us heavily defeated which was disappointing for our boys.
An unfortunate loss on the last game of the tournament, which saw us defeated and unable to qualify, but excellent teamwork and skill shown by all the boys - well done

Back to top

17th June - Nicolas Chamberlain Tournement

Saturday 17th June 2006

Team- Ben/ Jack S/ Jack W/ Tom E/ Thomas B/ Adam/ Jordan


St Nics Sporting V Bulkington - score 0 - 4.

An unfortunate loss. Bulkington made some superb passes and were able to break away. However a great improvement from our boys, some great passes and tackles. Some great goal kicks from Jordan. The boys all worked well as a team as it was their first game of the day.


St Nics Sporting V HInckley - score 0 - 3

A tough game with Hinckley forcing play down their end. Again, some great tackling and passing but unfortunate not to get a break. Some great play by Tom E, who tried to take full advantage of the ball down the wing.


St Nics Sporting V Haunchwood. - score 1 - 2

A fantastic game with an unfortunate final score. St Nics dominated at the start which gave Tom E the chance to take the ball at a corner kick for Ben to make a fantastic goal. Again the passing between our boys gained some great break aways for Tom E down the wing.


St Nics Sporting V Bedworth Eagles - score 0 - 1

An unfortunate loss, some great passing with the boys improving all the time. Great defence from Thomas B and Jack S. Tom E took full advantage of gaining ownership of the ball and had alot of opportunities to break away down the wing. Great goal kicks once again from Jordan.


St Nics Sporting V Grove Farm - score 0 - 3

The final game of the morning with our boys doing their best to defend and take advantage of the ball. A disappointing loss for our boys, who are gaining in confidence and working together as a team. Good defence from Jack S & Thomas B who had opportunity to kick the ball out of the goal area.

Back to top

20 May - Rugby Tournament

A great day was had by players and parents at the torunament, hosted by Rugby Town JFC. Sporting played 5 tough matches against teams from outside of our area and can be very proud of their performance. Each game lasted 10 minutes and there were no half times.

First up for the boys were Bugbroke. Most of the Sporting squad seemed to be struggling to come to terms with the occasion and we were soundly beaten 5-0 by a very good team.

Next up were hosts, Rugby Town C. The lads gave a more acomplished performance here and were causing Rugby lots of problems. Only a super free kick from a Rugby player denied us a draw which we richly deserved. Final Score 0-1

Despite losing the opening 2 games, the lads deserved great credit for not letting their heads drop. In game 3, we played against Northampton and again, gave a good account of ourselves. This was a very even game and we scored with a breakaway goal by Russell. Unfortnunately we could hold on for maximum points and Northampton equalised late on. Final Score 1-1

Game 4 saw us come up against a very good Thurlaston side who made it hard for us to create any substantial attacks. The 3-0 scoreline was very harsh on the boys who again battled well.

The fifth and final game was against Brinklow Yellow. As neighter side could challenge for the top spots in the group, it was decided that this game would be a 7-a-side match. Although Sporting battled hard we came out on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline.

Full credit goes to each and every player who gave their all for their team mates. It would have been so easy for heads to drop after the first game beating but the lads came back stronger for it. Thank you to all parents too for your excellent support.

Squad : Adam, Ben, Jack S, Jack W, Jordan, Russell, Thomas B, Thomas C

Photos from the day can be found in the forum in the under 7s section.

Back to top

13 May - Weddington Thistle Devils (H) 0-3(L)

After playing against the Colts and Saints in previous weeks, it was now the turn of Sporting to play against Weddington Thistle Devils. This was the first 6-a-side match the boys had played and it provided vital experience for the forthcoming tournaments. The kick off was delayed for 30 minutes while an attempt was made to actually find out where the pitch was as all line markings had vanished!!!

The game started off fairly even with Weddington probably shading the possession. Both sets of players were finding the loose grass on the pitch hard to overcome as the ball was holding up making passing a fine art. Several through balls by the Weddy midfield failed to come to fruition, mainly due to the excellent positional play by Jack S and Thomas B with Jordan only have long shots to field in the early part of the game. The first real chance fell to Sporting, a long goal kick from Jordan found Ben with a clear run on goal, however his shot lacked power and was easily taken by the Weddy keeper. With Sporting caught up field, the Weddy keeper launched a long kick upfield which left their attacker one-on-one with the exposed Jordan, to his credit the lad finished well to put the visitors in front at the half time whistle.

Half Time 0-1

Playing down hill in the second half, Sporting were now enjoying their best period of the game and only excellent defending , mainly by the fair haired Weddy defender stopped us from equalising, Adam, Jack W and Ben all having shots blocked. Then came the sucker punch, Weddy, again on the counter attack broke down the right hand side and although Jordan seemed to have the situation under control, a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to double their lead and effectively kill the game off. Credit to the Sporting lads though, their heads never dropped and they continued to battle frantically for a deserved goal. As we pushed forward though, spaces were inevitably left at the back, this gave the aforementioned Weddington defender space to run into and he weaved past 2 or 3 of our defenders before scoring a well taken goal to give the score a rather flattering look. This player really was the difference between the sides.
Full Time 0-3

Well done players on both sides. This was our first defeat but the lads still came off the pitch with a smile on their face. This game emphasised to me how different 6 a side football is to 7 a side. The extra area that the players need to cover is massive. This experience will aid us greatly for next weeks tournament in Rugby

Man of the Match Award : Jack S

Back to top

29 April - Bulkington (H) 2-1 (W)

Sporting came out on top in their toughest outing to date against a Bulkington side who fielded a mixture of under 6 and established players. It was Bulkington who started the brightest playing up the slope with some slick moves which were very pleasing on the eye. It was obvious to see that the Bulkington boys had been coached well as their teamwork was exceptional. The Sporting engineroom consisting of Jack S, Adam and Jack W was having to work overtime to contain the threat of the oposition and were ably supported by the back 2 of Max and Tom C. However, the inevitable occured midway through the half when Bulkington took the lead with a crisp shot from the edge of the area which gave Jordan no chance and flew into the top corner. Soon after this Bulkington almost doubled their lead in bizarre fashion. A long drop kick from Jordan was met on the volley by a Bulkington player and his shot from the half way line dropped just wide much to everyones relief.

Half Time 0-1

If we were going to get back into the game we needed to change a few things around. Lou came on in place of Jack W who was to play in the Saints match later on in the morning.

For some reason, Sporting seems to enjoy playing uo the slope rather more than playing down it. Jack S was seeing more of the ball out on the right and was getting good support from his team mates. Max and Tom C were still a commanding presence at the back while Adam was getting stuck in in the centre and Lou's added pace was starting to trouble the visitors. Sporting equalized with their first serious attack of the game when fine build up work saw Ben drill home a shot from just inside the box to delight the home support and his team mates. This obviously shook up the Bulkington players as straight from kick off they lost posession on the right hand side to Adam who was brought down in a dangerous position. Max took the resulting free kick which eluded all players and nestled itself sweetly in the back of the net.

To their credit, Bulkington never gave up and forced numerous corners which Jordan and his defence dealt with without too much alarm. As Bulkington were committing players forward, Sporting had numerous breaks but were unable to get the killer third goal.

Full Time 2-1

Well done players on both sides. This was a very stern test and full credit goes to the boys in the way that they never gave up against a very talented side. The way we performed after half time was of the highest standard. Well done to everyone!!!

Man of the Match Award : Ben

Back to top

2 April - Grove Farm (H) 1-0 (W)

Sporting, playing their first ever home fixture came up against a very resoloute and workmanlike Grove Farm side, and although we appeared to have more possesion of the ball, it took a deflected goal midway through the first half to decide this encounter.

Sporting kicked off, going up the slope in the first half with Lou having several runs towards goal superbly aided by Jack S and Ben on the wings. At the back Aiden and Thomas V were not in a charitable mood and confidently mopped up any attack that Grove Farm created. This attitude was backed up by Adam who was equally busy in the middle of the park, earning several free kicks with his fast footwork.

Sporting were regularly testing the Grove Farm defence but excellent handling and huge kicking by their keeper were keeping us out. Credit to the lads however as they did not get frustrated and took the lead midway through the half. Adams corner was not cleared out of the area and Lou pounced from a couple of yards to score.

Half Time 1-0

At half time, Thomas V took over the gloves from Jordan who had one of his quietest mornings to date. Jack W and Max came on to see if they could add to the score.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half with Sporting, now playing down the slope, favourites to add to their lead. Grove Farm, however had other ideas and battled superbly in search of an equalizer. Both sides forced numerous corners without testing either keeper. With 5 minutes remaining Aiden was replaced by Jordan who performed well in his first ever appearance as an outfiled player. In the last minute Grove Farm almost snatched an equalizer but Thomas V got down well at his near post to thwart the danger.

Full Time 1-0

Well done players on both sides, another thoroughly enjoyable game and a huge effort by every Sporting player who are developing into a very useful side.

Man of the Match Award : Aiden

Back to top

25 March - Hinckley Utd (A) 0-1 (W)

On a bright and pleasant day a mixture of new and established players played in the first ever game for St Nics Sporting, the fourth team in the under 7s age group.

On a large pitch, it was obvious from the kickoff that chances would be at a premium and so it proved. Sporting started very brightly with Russell and Thomas E imposing themselves in the heart of defence where they were able to start numerous attacks and provide excellent service to the wide players, Ben and Jack S who were both making their first starts for the club. The start of the game was very even with both sides looking confident on the ball without showing any signs of penetrating each others defence. All this changed mid way through the half when Russell broke from the back to get in a shot that was only partially leared by the keeper and Thomas E was on hand to apply the finish from close range much to the delight of his team mates.

The rest of the half remained even as both teams continuted to demonstrate their excellent work rate and passing skills. The way Sporting defended corners towards the end of this half deserves a special mention as each player took it upon themselves to mark one of the opposition, negating the threat before it materialised.

Half Time 0-1

Both sides made substitutions at half time. Sporting brought on Thomas B for Lou and replaced Ben ,who also played in the second game with Adam who was making his
first ever appearance for the club.

The second half started in much the same way as most of the first half had been played with Hinckley gradually gaining more possession around the Sporting penalty area without really threatening Jordan who was making his first start between the posts. Excellent positional play by Adam and Thomas E meant that their attackers hardly got a sniff at goal. The half time substitutions allowed Russell to play further up the park in the second half and his pace was causing the defence numerous problems. Jack S worked
his socks off up front and with a bit more luck could have helped himself to a goal while Jack W and Thomas B worked tirelessly in the engine room and were solid all half.

Full Time 0-1

Both teams deserve congratualtions for an enjoyable game played in the right spirit.

Man of the Match Award : Russell

Back to top