Report

Well, well, well.........where to start? Due to a number of players coming down with bugs and colds, the Blue Sox were left with just six players. Two of which ran very late and only just made it in time for kick off (Sorry! Swimming lessons on a Saturday morning can be a real pain!). Anyway, with our bench looking rather sparse and the Somersham bench overflowing, it looked like we would be in for a bit of a test. With the team ready and warmed up, it was time for kick off.

With Chris in goal, Samuel and Carl in defence and Ben and James upfront, it was quite a strong line up and Mia started on the bench but was itching to get on. She was certainly going to get her chance. Kick off commenced and both teams got out of the blocks really quickly. It was end to end for the first four minutes with neither team able to break the deadlock. But then James did something about it and went pounding forward. With only the keeper to beat, he coolly slotted in to the goal. 0-1. With the first goal under Sawtry’s belt, the Blue Sox kept the pressure on and it was only another 3 minutes before James bagged his second. In typical James fashion he rounded a number of players and the keeper and finished with class. 0-2. In the mean time, with the parents shouting “mark the number 4!” we were met with odd glances from the team as it appeared that Somersham had two number 4’s? Confusing!

However, Somersham had their own thoughts and would not give up without a fight and within two minutes, their number 9 pulled one back. 1-2. Completely undeterred, Sawtry kept driving forward. The passing practice that they had done earlier in the week was really starting show it’s worth. With Samuel and Carl teaming up really well at the back and Ben and James being ever ready to receive the ball and tag team it into the box. When the ball did make it past Carl and Samuel, Chris made some excellent saves that were met with big cheers from the crowd! It was time for a substitution. Ben was pulled off to give him a rest from all his running around and on came Mia. Within another two minutes James managed to get his hat-trick and increase the lead on Somersham. 1-3. With Mia’s fresh legs, she put them to great use and did not stop running! She was finding herself in some great positions and made some fine passes. She really was getting under the feet of all the Somersham players! Sam was the ever faithful centre back. He held his position well and ensured nobody got through on goal. Carl was passing the ball through the middle to feed James and Mia to great effect and only another few minutes and James was back on the score sheet again! 1-4. After only 16 minutes of play we had seen five goals. It was proving to be one hell of a match. Somersham kept moving forward when they could and had a number of corners. The crowd were nervous at times but it was unnecessary as Chris was on hand to cover the ball. The first half finished 1-4 to Sawtry.

Second half! Ben was back on and Mia was back on the bench. Somersham came out with a fighting spirit and seemed determined to get back into the game. Constantly trying to push forward, Sawtry found themselves under pressure. But this also gave the opportunity for them to break on the counter attack. With some great one two passing, Ben and James would surge up the field. With a number of shots running just wide, it was surely only a matter of time before the next goal came and 7 minutes into the second half...it did. Ben got his name on the score sheet. 1-5. The manager decided for a change in goal to give Chris some time out on pitch. Chris was happy to oblige and got stuck in. Within two minutes Ben was on the score sheet again. With a great pass from James, he ran with the ball from the halfway line as he drove forward. One on one with keeper he shot it home. 1-6. With Chris being in goal for the majority of the match he was keen to add his name to the list of scorers and it was not long until he got his wish. 1-7. It’s not that often that a keeper can come out of goal and add his name to the score sheet. Well done Chris! Mia had come back on and continued her second half appearance as she had with the first half. Running everywhere and making a real nuisance of herself. What did this girl have for breakfast this morning? Two minutes later James bagged his fifth of the morning. Yep...... his fifth! 1-8. With only a matter minutes remaining, The Blue Sox were on a roll and despite their tired legs, they kept going. In the dying minutes of the game, Ben managed to get his hat-trick to finish the game at 1-9.

It really was quite a game. Not just because of the score line but the effort that the team put in despite being very tired. A huge well done to all of them! Every single one of them played their blue socks off.

So how do you give out MOTM when everyone played so well? It’s not easy but with one player playing better than they ever have done before and really stepping up to the mark, the Parents MOTM award went to Mia. A big well done!

Sorry to those of you that could not be there today and we hope that you are feeling better soon.

Next stop Warboys Red.....let’s keep up the momentum. The Blue Socks go marching on!!!