Club News:

Under 9's February Newsletter

Posted 15/2/2011

WELCOME !!! Happy New Year to you all as this marks the first newsletter of 2011.

Over the past few months I think we’ve seen improvement in all the lads and whilst our training facilitates are not the best (we have repeatedly asked for the light to be fixed) the commitment from the lads, parents and coaches in getting the kids involved, setting up and delivering some fun and exercise for them all deserves great credit.

I do appreciate we lost a lot of football to the inclement conditions in December but the boys have come back I think generally in good spirits and we now have 18 in the section which if we can keep the lads together bodes well for two teams next season. Overall big thanks from me to all parents, kids and especially the coaches for there help so far and looking forward to the second half of the season.

Change in role - Steve Kirk

A few words about Steve. Back in 2007 Steve Kirk took on the Taverham under 6 section (then with 5 boys), running training and having the odd game against a few local teams. Over time he moulded that group with several additions to the section you see today and the vast majority of those lads that form the current league team which is doing so well.

Without Steve there would not be a under 9’s section today and I have no doubt it would not nearly be as successful. Steve’s drive commitment and personality has been instrumental in the development of the current group of lads. Over the years he has taken the team to tournaments, dealt with the club red tape and been the figure head.

As you will have noticed however, in recent months Steve has taken a back seat from this front line position due to external work commitments and regrettable has had to step down as front line manager. Steve will continue to assist with coaching and be involved and I (Dave) will take on the front line manager position.

Personally, I’d like to place on record my thanks for Steve has done and I’m pleased he’s not moving away entirely.

New Players

We’d like to welcome Jack Hill back to the club. We are now pretty much up to capacity and I’ll be looking to instigate a waiting list for any additional lads / lasses wanting to join so can you please ensure that if you here of any child wanting to join the section the contact myself first as opposed to turning up and being disappointed.

League Team Progress

We are now fourteen games into the league and played 1 cup game, and most of you will be aware we have maintained a 100% unbeaten record. We have continued to meet a mixture of opposition and continued at the high standards we’ve set ourselves. At a high level the story of the latest set of games is as follows (taken from the Match Cards for each game) ….

Taverham 6 – Hellesdon 0 -
This is a game dominated by Taverham. Cam was in exceptional form scoring 4 of Taverham's 6 goals. Hellesdon proved a spirited side and defended bravely, their goalkeeper pulled off a string of excellent saves. Attacks on the Taverham goal were rare with no shots only the odd through ball making it through to George.

Diss 0 – Taverham 1 (Cup) -
Tough conditions made this a difficult game with Diss adapting to the heavy pitch better than Taverham. A game of few chances was 0-0 at half time, a couple of breakaway's from Diss resulted in shots that narrowly missed and some wayward shooting and goal line clearances prevented Taverham scoring. The second half again was a close affair with a scrappy goal settling it when the referee played a good advantage instead of giving a penalty for a push a few seconds earlier.

Mattishall 0 – Taverham 4 -
This game was a tight affair in the first half with some superb stops from the Mattishall keeper and only two corners for the Taverham defence to deal with. Taverham began to pick the pace up in the second half, breaking the deadlock by a suburb goal from Ethan Warne. Mattishall struggled to break out of their own half in the second half and Taverham dominated to win 4-0, the score being kept low by some great goalkeeping from the Mattishall keeper.

Taverham 4 – Toftwood 2 -
Tough entertaining game in which Taverham took an early lead going 2-0 up inside 2 minutes only for Toftwood to rally and through some stout defending and good keeping they kept Taverham at bay until the 12 minute when Taverham scored their 3rd. From then on Toftwood had more of the game, with some intelligent through balls being cut out by the Taverham Ben, Jack and George until a mix up in defence let Toftwood in to score just before half time. The second half was much the same Taverham on top for the best part of the half scoring a fourth before Toftwood sprang into life, dominating the last 5 minutes. Scoring their 2nd with a couple of minutes to go and through a couple of stops from the Taverham keeper and stout defending from the team the final score was 4-2.

Old Catton 0 – Taverham 3 -
Good game this one, with some fantastic attacking play by Taverham and some last ditch defending by Catton. Through numerous chances in the 1st half Taverham took the lead on the stroke of half time after being denied by the keeper and defensive clearances on a number of occasions. Catton was limited to one breakaway effort comfortably saved. Less chances for both side in the second half but notable were the shot from the Catton defender tipped away by the Taverham keeper and Taverham's second goal an audacious overhead kick from Harrision Jones. Further, chances fell mainly to Taverham with Josh Kirk grabbing a 3rd just before the final whistle.

Taverham 8 – Costessey 0 –
Mostly one sided this game, Costessey defended well for 15 minutes but once the first goal was scored Taverham took control. Taverham went in 3-0 up at half time and were totally dominant in the second half scoring 5 and missing a penalty (for handball) returning off the lefthand side post. Taverham hit the woodwork a further 3 times and again last ditch defending and good goalkeeping kept the scoreline to 8. A special mention also goes to Cameron who's two goals take him up to 20 league and cup goals for the season, Ethan Warne and Josh Kirk also managed to bag a brace.

Taverham Tigers -
As you will know I and Steve had mentioned we’d like to get our squad players and new lads a run out in some friendlies. I’m pleased to announce we have now started this process and you’ll see a match report below from the first game and a second game is planned against Old Catton on the 5th February. As per Taverham tradition I’ve named this team the Tigers and as we look to build potentially two squads for next season I see this as a really positive move.

Mattishall 2 – Taverham Tigers 2 –
I was pleased to arrange a couple of games for the new players and some of our squad players this month. As some of you will be aware we took the kids to Mattishall to play a mixture of their 1st team and squad players in a friendly. Considering the majority of boys had not played together against a under 9’s team (and some had not played in a 40 minute 7 a side game) previously their performance was exceptional and I am really proud of them. In the first half it took a while for them to settle into positions but as soon as they did the game flowed from end to end. Marco, Chris, Daniel worked hard at the back as a unit, Thomas, Conner and Ethan Reid in the middle and Jack Hill leading the line with George acting as sub to give him a rare outfield run out. The boys found themselves 2-0 up at half time, a piece of individual skill and drive from Jack for the first and a sublime passing move with a fantastic finish off the inside of the post and cross bar again by Jack, set up by George for the second. Throughout the second half the boys continued to battle and were unlucky not to add more, keeping it tight at the back until the final minutes when Mattishall managed to grab two late goals. A fantastic performance by all and a good result from an end to end game. I’d like to thank the parents of those boys for brining them and Mattishall for giving us the game.

Summer Tournaments
Believe it or not I’ve already had my first invitation to a summer tournament. For those uninitiated these are festival of football’s that will take place over a day (across various locations in Norfolk and Suffolk) over the summer weekends where a mini-knock out tournament is run. If the boys are lucky enough to make the final’s they potentially will receive a prize. Last year we did a number of these and this year I would like to use these to get the Tigers additional experience and for those old heads obviously get you guys involved as much as you feel you’d like to. Towards the end of March I’ll send out an email ask if you’d be interested in your child getting involved and I’ll give you more details.

Training Venue Next Season
As I mentioned in my introduction, I am acutely aware that a number of you have concerns with the lighting and general condition of our training facilitates at Anglian Windows. I share your concerns and have some potential good news for you all. The club is looking to secure new training facilities for all teams next season, likely to be on a 3G surface at either FDC or Easton College. As soon as I have confirmation I’ll let you all know but it is important to note that this may result in changes to fees and the day and time we train next season.

Steve Jones and John Wilson – A Thank You
With Steve Kirk’s commitments over the past few months you will have noticed that Steve Jones and John have been increasingly involved in match days and training. Clearly now we have 18 lads, without additional help we’d struggle to adequately train and support all the lads. Given this I ‘d like to thank Steve and John for getting involved. As we continue through the season Steve Jones will continue to help (dividing his time between the other Taverham team he coaches and the u9’s and John will be on hand to support me in the administration, coaching of the team with both assisting on Match days.

And finally ……

Match Reporter Vacancy –
As per the last newsletter I’m still on the look out for a news hound be this a parent, sibling etc to report on the league and tiger matches for the Taverham website, if anyone is interested can you please give me a shout

Half Term Report –
I’ve written a piece on the section, predominately on the league team which should appear in the Taverham newsletter and currently appears on the Taverham FC website, feel free to have a read !

Cup Draw –
the next round of the cup is upon us, the quarter final we are away to Dereham Town on the 6th February Up the Taverham U9’s !!!

Contact Us We want your views to, training, content, what to put on the website etc …. Or even to let us know your child cannot make training …..

Steve Kirk - steve_kirk@talktalk.net - 07748 181 265
Dave Canham - davecanham99@aol.com - 07800 698 665 / 01603 260510

Websites League - http://www.footballcombination.com/under9sa.htm
Taverham FC - http://taverhamfc.net/
Search Facebook – Taverham FC (become a friend)

Monthly Calendar Training - Every Thursday throughout November / December (Anglian Windows) – 18.30 – 19.30

Sat 5th February – Taverham Tigers v Old Catton – 14.00
Sun 6th February – Dereham Town (Cup) Away – 10.30
Sun 13th February – Horsford (Lge) – 10.30
Sun 20th February – Dereham Town (Lge) Hinks – 10.30
Sun 27th February – Hellesdon (Lge) Away – 10.30
Sun 6th March – Drayton (Lge) Away – 10.30