Team Chudlieghs is definitely gelling. Last Thursday was a big time game against Tim Horton’s Navy Blue team. The temperature was well over 30C without factoring in the humidity and it showed no sign of letting up.
Topping all of that both teams found themselves short staffed and looked like they’d be pulling an “iron man” style of soccer. Both myself and the coach of the other team agreed we would only play 20 minutes per half and LOTS of water breaks in between.
For the first half it was quite the defensive duel as both teams made it down to the oppositions end but came up short shooting on net. The heat was definitely a factor in this one. You could see it on both sides faces it was getting too warm but they wanted to keep playing.
I was running around the field most of the game with a big water bottle, giving as much water to both teams as possible because you dont want to have anyone pass out and hurt themselves. It got a kick out of the parents watching so…
After half time the teams looked a bit more enthusiastic and ready to go. Opening the second half kick off was Madison, who played a stellar game in net for the first half, launching the ball well into the other teams zone. Matthew raced up the side and with his quick feet, scored a very quick goal. Shortly after that…a second goal was scored.
Another big story of this weeks game was Nicholas. He has grown into a great defense player and he was showing it off early and often in the game. When the opposing team made it anywhere near where Nicholas was……bam! It was gone up the sides, textbook style and back into the possession of Chudleigh’s players. Ethan was also doing a great job passing the ball to open players such as Anthony, Matthew and Madison.
Anthony played goal for the second half and once again showed his risk taking skills off by making those much needed saves. Ethan was passing the ball again to Madison and Matthew which resulted in another Chudlieghs goal!
When it was all said and done Chudliegh’s pulled off another win 3-1. What I, along with many of the parents on the side, found was they were playing positions, calling out “IM OPEN” and doing the big kick and runs like at practice to perfection.
They have gone from a group of kids wanting to play soccer and have now gelled into a soccer team. These kids are an amazing group and it also reflects on their parents as well. For my first year coaching (and its not over yet) I think we’ve done a great job and I really dont want the season to end.