UNDER 11'S CARNAGE REPORT: LEFC 0 - 12 Allestree Brazil All Stars Globe Trotters Junior

When the revised fixture schedule had us playing Allestree Juniors on the
Saturday before Christmas I crossed the Derby City ‘Fixture Computer’ off my
Christmas card list.   

When 4 of our best players dropped out of the game on the morning of the
match I suspected that Santa wasn’t real.

Allestree don’t just play with style, they watch with style - their coffee
table is the most impressive in the league (but more of that later). 

The match was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests.  At one point their
keeper was doing keepy-uppies with a spare ball.  If he’d been a few years
older he’d probably have been leant against the post smoking a cigar and
studying the form in the Racing Post.

However, we may have got stuffed (again) but the effort that our lads put in
was outstanding. 

And when Capello has finally had enough of Calamity James between the sticks
he should send his scouts to the Derby Road playing fields.  Thomas Stanton,
the Emmanuel keeper, may be two foot shorter than Calamity and he may not
have the same clothing budget but he is a far better decision maker and on
Saturday morning he raised the morale of the whole team with a series of
quite superb saves. 

Player notes:

Thomas ‘safe hands’ Stanton – An immense performance from one of the
smallest players in the League.  He came for crosses, dived at players feet,
saved it with hands, saved it with his feet and rounded the morning off with
a stunning penalty save.  You were a hero Tom.
William ‘Marco Polo’ Wilson – But for the reflexes of one of the parents
William would have taken out the coffee table half way through the second
half.  Next time William!
Thomas ‘Forest’ Barber – Thomas covered back well at left mid in the 2nd
half and helped to stem the relentless Allestree pressure.
Anupam Paul – Worked hard down the right hand side in the second half and
had to be substituted with the stitch.
Josh Elliott – Another tremendous performance at sweeper.
Richard ‘The Assasin’ Adams – Tackled himself to a full stop half way
through the second half.  Another brave display.
Nass ‘The Terminator’ Hossin – Tackled like his life depended on it, played
the simple pass and had the discipline to hold his position. 
Ryan Bancroft – one covering run in the first half led to a goal saving
clearance – just what we’d talked about before the match – well done.
Kieron ‘Cruncher’ Hart – with Cedrick and Bradley out, it was hard to see us
scoring but nobody bothered to tell Kieron.  He chased everything, used his
body well to shield the ball and passed better than he’s ever passed before.
Deserved a medal.
Ahmed ‘Captain Marvel’ Al jaf.  Kept working the centre channel all morning.
I can’t remember seeing him in the changing room after the match.  I hope
he’s not still out there....
Sajid Al-Zubayel – again gave us tantilising glimpses of his potential.  I
remain convinced that he can be a big player for the team in years to come.

James Craig – never occurred to James that the match might be a lost cause.
Gave it everything and when we decided we needed his pace in defence he
didn’t complain – he just got on with it.  Well done.  

Our Scouting System:

Thomas Stanton was spotted by our scouts diving at adult feet last Easter at
Skegness.  Thank you Dave & Belinda.  If we ever make any money we’ll pay
you to have a whole season in Skeggy.