UNDER 11's MATCH REPORT: Allestre All Stars Brazil Glode Trotters Juniors 15 - 0 LEFC

…After previous losses of 17-0 and 18-1 at the hands of the immensely impressive Allestree team, our lads set off for (Darley Fields) pitch 11 with all the enthusiasm of a turkey doing the Christmas shop.

A word of warning. If you ever get dispatched to pitch 11 it’s close to the Yorkshire border so make sure you have a sat-nav with you.

On our previous visit to Darley Fields we’d lost one of our goalkeepers in the waist length grass. Mercifully the City Council got out the mower last week and on our way to pitch 11 we found the missing keeper – he was looking a little gaunt and was a bit confused about why the ball hadn’t been near his end for a while. He brought to mind that Japanese soldier who was still holed out in the Philippine jungle 29 years after the cessation of World War II hostilities.

We made our customary dozy start to the match, with the ball visiting every part of the back of our net in the first 15 minutes. After we woke up we actually put in a really spirited performance and reached half time with the score line still in single figures.

We’d noticed in a previous encounter with Allestree that they ate jaffa cakes at half time. That was clearly the secret to their success and we devoured a couple of packets at half time. Just to be certain we also issued the players with maps showing them where the Allestree goal was located.

With the goals continuing to flow in the second half I can only conclude that Allestree don’t buy their jaffa cakes from Tescos.

So what crumbs of comfort can we take away from pitch 11?

The lads love being part of a team. Whilst the result’s disappointing, it’s part and parcel of being in a team. The lads were still smiling, they took the defeat well and we’ll have another crack next week.

Some good individual performances:

Thomas Stanton – the bravest display of goalkeeping I’ve seen all season by any keeper (and that includes Brad Freidel, Scott Carson, Paul Robinson and Robert Green). Thomas wasn’t just brave; he was quick in his thinking and quick to come off his line. Very well done.

Anupam – (substitute of the week) taking over from Thomas, he again showed good hands, looks increasingly composed and is starting to develop a presence in goal. Well done.

Nass – Special Skills Award – determined tackling and covering – a tenacious performance.

Ryan – Man of the Match – with Richard dropping out at the last minute Ryan had to deputise at centre back. After 10 minutes I had a sub ready to replace him but he stepped up a gear, stuck to his task, read the game like a book and cleared well. Excellent performance.

Robbie – another player asked to play away from his preferred position. Robbie hates playing left back but again played for the team. Well done.

William – asked to move up front, William stuck to his task and helped some promising moves to develop. Well done.

Josh – showed tremendous strength of character to keep ushering the defence for the full 60 minutes. As ever, 100% reliable. As important as any player in the team.

Team Potential:

What excites me is that as well as improving individually the lads can become much better as a team. We probably won’t ever make a serious push for a Champion’s League spot but a few more competitive games like the one at Codnor last week would be very encouraging.

Andy D