Under 12's Pre season Summary

RNE U12’s pre-season friendly's have gone quite well overall. We managed to get five games in, winning three, drawing one and losing one, which is a fair return and reflects accurately the form of the side. 

After a 5-4 triumph over our friends from Lisbon St.Anthonys (Stockport Metro League), we travelled across to Stalybridge to take on Ridgehill Celtic (Reddish & District League). The pitch was in very poor condition, with the grass very long, but a full strength Reddish side applied themselves really well and ended up winning 12-1. It would have been many more if the Ridgehill keeper hadn’t played so well! So the boys recorded their biggest ever win and were rightly absolutely ecstatic. 

A few days later we played a return match in the holiday mecca of Wythenshawe against Lisbon S.A, and what a game it turned out to be. Missing two key players, Reddish were at one stage 5-2 behind, but showed excellent determination and got the match back level at 6-6. We even managed to miss a penalty and some other really good chances! We finished in very warm sunshine (honest) with a penalty shoot-out which we won, but this was separate from the game and just a bit of practice for the boys. 

Two days later we came a cropper against NJ from Wythenshawe, supposedly a team of U11’s looking for match experience but actually a well-organised outfit with one or two boys seeming to be way over 11 years of age. But we didn’t play at all well, 3-0 down at half time, and although we improved in the second half we ended up with a 4-2 defeat, and in truth we could have few complaints, NJ played some good stuff.

However, it was important to learn the lessons from this game and when we returned to Ridgehill for another friendly on Thursday we played much better football. We won the match 5-3 but in truth dominated for long periods and again Ridgehill had their keeper to thank for keeping the score down. One of the goalmouths also had standing water in it which held the ball up at crucial stages. We could and should have defended better, though, so we need to work on this. 

30 goals in five matches is a fantastic return and way beyond expectations, so I am absolutely delighted for all the boys. I, and all the parents, really hope that we can carry the confidence levels over into the altogether different proposition of league matches and make a good impression as the season proper starts. 

James