Under 14s final game report and season review

By Grecian Docker taken form the offical site Tilburyfc.com

Match Report - Boca Mountnessing
Match Stats:
Tilbury v Boca Mountnessing
Goals: 2 0
Possession: 55 45
Shots on Target: 6 1
Shots off Target: 6 5
Corners: 5 4
Fouls: 9 12
Most Fouls:
Yellow Cards: 2 2
Red Cards: 0 0
Scorers: B.Foord, F.Linard
2 - 0
Tilbury Boca Mountnessing

Date Venue
25/04/2010 Home
Attendance Referee
168 S.Franklin

CHAMPIONS ! CHAMPIONS ! CHAMPIONS ! CHAMPIONS !

On a Sun scorched April afternoon The Dockers played hosts to Boca Mountnessing in their final league game of this first season of Eastern Junior Alliance football at Chadfields.

The young Dockers have enjoyed an Incredible season having lost only once in the Eastern Junior Alliance cup quarter final against today's opponents who would no doubt to prove once again a stern test. Having lost that game back in January, during what was a very difficult stop start period due to the very harsh weather conditions, The Tilbury management asked the players to step up and go to the final game of the season unbeaten if they were to win the league.
The players have responded magnificently and here we are having won the last seven games with a goal tally of twenty six scored and only three conceded.

Tilbury entered the fixture with various difficulties, for example Bradley Glover, Adam and Sam were still unavailable having been stranded in Hong Kong on a school trip following the recent Icelandic volcano eruption and the subsequent flight ban into the UK. The keeper Jordan had only arrived back in the country from the USA at 7am on the morning of the game having also been delayed on his return to the country. Injury problems abounded, Ronnie only having been released from hospital in the last few days after undergoing an operation, Mark with a groin strain, Warren with a slight hamstring and Luke also with a groin strain meaning the complete back four were suffering with injury, Tyrell ruled out with a calf Injury. So a test of character was needed against a good but very physical Boca side.

Boca would prove a difficult opponent, remember they have won the London FA Cup this season and were beaten finalists in the Essex County Cup a couple of weeks ago, a competition incidentally these young Dockers were denied entry into by "jobsworths" at the county headquarters.

The Chadfields pitch was dry, dusty and lacking grass after this long hard season and the recent good weather and with a healthy seasons best crowd of 168 the scene was set for a gargantuan clash of these two very determined sides. The Dockers needing just a solitary point to secure the title.

Tilbury started the game kicking towards the Chadwell end. Boca as expected packed the midfield playing just one up top in order to stifle the Dockers slick passing style. In the first ten minutes or so Boca were causing some problems down the Tilbury right side with their pacy wide man although they never managed to make any real penetration into the Dockers box. The young Tilbury side then soon settled and started to play some neat football . Connor ensured the Boca central midfield were not allowed to win the battle and he was ably supported by the creative Flynn, whilst in the wide positions, Bradley Filsell on the right and the ever combatant James (Killer) Killingback were creating problems for Boca every time they got on the ball. The front two of Jesse and Ben were pressing the Boca back four at every opportunity.
With fifteen minutes gone the Impressive Ben Foord seized on a through ball which bounced heavily on the solid pitch and sent a looping header over the Boca keeper and into the net much to the delight of the magnificent home support and 1-0 Dockers.
For the rest for the first half Tilbury totally dominated play creating chance after chance. The Boca keeper made several good saves to keep the score 1-0 at half time.

The second half was more a game of attrition for the Dockers. The fluent Tilbury play was disrupted with various changes to the personnel in order to minimize the overall effect of Injuries to those Individual players. The second and richly deserved goal to clinch the championship came from a free kick which was expertly struck by Flynn Linard leaving the Boca keeper with no chance. Much joy and celebration ensued amongst the players as the realisation set in that after a long hard season they had sealed the title with twenty minutes to go.
Boca pressed hard for a consolation and the game deteriorated into a scrappy affair with some of the Boca players more Intent on fouling the Tilbury players rather than concentrating on playing football. Ironically the loudest applause during the game came when The Dockers cleared from the goal line to deny Boca a goal much to the annoyance of the Boca bench.

The whistle sounded and Tilbury were champions !
The squad,
Today whilst no direct saves to make Jordan Cammack controlled his area superbly, particularly in the first half claiming anything with a commanding demeanour beyond his years. He eventually collected a yellow card for a brave stop late in the second half just outside his box which resulted in him needing lengthy treatment. Safe hands all season long.
Ronnie Dean showed tremendous courage having barely recovered from an operation and as usual was Mr dependable at right back.
Luke Mcleavy was commanding at the centre of the back four despite carrying a groin strain and has proved throughout the season to be a tower of strength, today he showed a maturity of temperament.
Lee Wilkes once again proved what a valuable squad member he is when asked to play a variety of roles, throughout this season and Indeed beyond he has never let the side down and quietly goes about his job in an unassuming manner.
Mark Onyemah carrying a groin strain over the past weeks has perhaps not been at his best, yet he still looks a class act and for my money the best left back in the league.
Club captain Warren Gibson an Influential organiser throughout the season and a calming Influence during today's tense and sometimes tetchy affair.
Bradley Filsell and Garett Kelly have oft shared the right side of midfield this season and have both played important roles throughout the season, Bradley not for the first time popping up to clear from the goal line was just surreal.
Flynn Linard the creator and Connor Horan the destroyer in central midfield. In fact they can both be creative and destructive but never Intimidated which was evident today and in every game so far. These two have been the heartbeat and engine room all season and have upset many a midfield in the process.
James the "Killer" Killingback, what can you say about this diminutive midfield player, again a creator and destroyer rolled into one and a player you always want on your side and never against you.
Ben Foord, this calm, hard working striker is one of the nicest lads you could wish to meet. He has a great season in front of goal scoring at crucial times and in the final game of the season against Boca when it really mattered he scored the first and had a quite magnificent first half running the opposition defence into the ground, today this lad came of age.
Jesse Blohm, A truly great goalscorer. His Interplay and subtle touch along with an unassuming movement makes him difficult to mark a quiet and pleasant lad with a slight edge making him extremely dangerous in the opposition half, as his goals this season have proved. Magnificent strikes, tap ins, and subtle headers.
Robbie Clarricoats, A true Docker who has been the most un orthodox player in the squad this season. He has often played the role of super sub changing games within minutes of taking to the pitch. All of his goals have been glorious finishes and he would no doubt win goal of the season for some of his quite casual finishes over the onrushing keepers.
Tyrell Phillips has recovered from Injury to finish the season with a flourish, despite a difficult season with Injury he proved once again what a good player he can be in the last few games.
Bradley Glover, sadly missing on the final day of the season but his contribution this season, as always, cannot be underestimated. A calm player under pressure always looking to play the ball on the floor.
Last but not least the left foot brigade of Sam Chilvers and Adam Croom also both sadly missing on this final day but they have also played their part during the season despite both suffering Injuries throughout this term.
Mark, Gary & Craig about time you put a trophy in the cabinet !

Great report Grecian!

Well done to all involved

Champions Champions

Well done lads