Academy Matchday Report
Cefn Druids u9s vs Airbus
It was a Tough day at the office unfortunately, we came up against a very good, well drilled Airbus team, who wanted to win more than us. Unfortunately, we never turned up and Airbus dominated the game from the very beginning. The lack of a consistent goal keeper was a factor in the game (however Josh, made a good effort even though it’s not his usual position).
There were glimmers of what we have been practicing in the week, from players like Noah and Mason, however football is a team game and we need everyone bringing the mid week training to the games on Saturday. This was very apparent when we were trying to dribble our way through a skilled Airbus team, the lack of passing in the final third really let us down. If we can take one positive from the game, some players didn’t give up and really dug in.
Man of The Match
Mason – Tried his best in defence and made some challenging tackles.
In the other games there were glimpses of what we have been working on but Airbus seemed to be a step ahead of us all over, the good thing is I can see what needs working on, the boys kept trying which was great to see.
Man of The Match
Jenson B – Didn’t stop trying, worked hard and kept on at the others to keep going, always wanted the ball too.
Cefn Druids U10’s vs Airbus
Druids started the game and straight away and tried to work our way forward but unfortunately got caught in possession and Airbus straight away played really fast football through our midfield and defence and straight away inside 5 minutes we found ourselves down 1-0.
Unfortunately Druids couldn’t settle on the ball and gave away lose balls which Airbus picked up and utilised and forced our GK into multiple saves but unfortunately after a few attempts Airbus started to be very clinical with there finishing and we found ourselves 4-0 after the first 20 minutes.
The 2nd 20minutes Druids came out the way the 1st period ended but unfortunately Druids couldn’t settle on the ball and struggled to find a pass that reached a team mate but Airbus pressed really well and forced our players to give away lose balls which Airbus picked up and completely took advantage with every opportunity they got in the final 3rd.
Last 20 minutes was a struggle for Druids as they could get motivated cause of all the goals conceded inside the first 40 minutes. Unfortunately the game never got better for Druids and was just waiting for the final whistle to go to end the misery of a very poor performance.
Cefn Druids U11’s vs Airbus
Druids started the game brightly and looking for a break through to try and get an early goal but unfortunately couldn’t take there chances, Airbus had played some good football which forced our lads to press as a unit and defend really well, both teams played some quality football that fetch both Goalkeepers into action unfortunately both teams struggle to take advantage of any chances.
2nd period both teams came out strong again defending really well and playing some good eye catching football but once again both teams struggled to take advantage of any chances created. Both teams played really well and it looked like who ever got the first goal would take control of the game but the half ended 0-0.
Final 20 minutes both teams really trying to get that 1st goal but struggling to take any chances, both GK playing very well and making some excellent saves however the Airbus GK had the ball and played it out which Airbus broke there way through the middle and finally once in the final third there striker hit a ball curling into the left hand bottom corner catching the GK out and putting Airbus 1-0 up. Straight away Druids kicked off and forced Airbus back which allowed our winger to make a run down the right hand side and get Druids a corner, Druids put a nice paced ball in which our winger managed to get a header on and flew into the back of the net making it 1-1.
Game was ended end and both teams trying so hard to get a win but unfortunately ended up 1-1 and both teams sharing a point. Great game to watch and be apart off.
Cefn Druids U12’s vs Airbus
We played brilliantly today and the boys played the game the way we know we can. Regardless of the result it’s a win in my books. Every player gave 110% and they should be proud of the result, they shouldn’t of been the team to win as we played a lot better than them and we showed them that we are the better team. The score line doesn’t reflect how we played or how they were disrespectful towards us and our players didn’t do the same and I’m super proud of our performance. Well played today lads and into the next game now.
Cefn Druids U13’s vs Airbus
Druids started the game quite strongly putting Airbus under pressure inside the first 2 minutes which the ball landed on the edge of the box for Erin to smash home and put Druids 1-0 up, Druids didn’t take the foot of the gas and kept going holding there line and pressing as a unit and once again forced Airbus into mistakes which allowed Druids to regain possession which lead to Druids scoring again and putting us 2-0 ahead.
Once Druids got the 2nd they started to take full advantage of their lead and forced Airbus again into pressure as Airbus couldn’t handled being pressured. Theo chased the ball down and after the hard work from pressing eventually won the ball and crossed it to the back post where. Luke was there to head home and make it 3-0 to Druids at HT.
Druids started the second half the same way the first half started and scored inside the first 2 minutes again after a long ball played through over the top for Theo to run in behind using his electric pace and slot it passed the GK. Druids 4-0
After a comfortable lead Druids switched off and got caught out by a quick counter attack which lead to Airbus getting a goal back but Druids made sure they put the game to bed 3 minutes after Airbus scoring to make it 5-1.
Druids 5-1 Airbus. A very positive win that shows we are moving in the right direction.
Cefn Druids U14’s vs Airbus
Druids win 1-0
A really good performance from the team today finishing with a score line that didn’t reflect the game at all. The boys adapted incredibly well to some difficult conditions and played faster & smarter in possession. A well worked attack saw Osian’s cross converted by Tom at the back post in the first half. We continued to dominate the game and created chance after chance.
The boys pass selection, creativity and forward runs in the final third has improved so much and Airbus struggled to deal with our attacking qualities. Out of possession, we shown great discipline to deal with any counter attack that Airbus attempted. Despite how positive we were in possession, we lacked that composure & conviction to finish the number of chances that we were creating and ended up having to settle for just a 1-0 victory.
7 games unbeaten in 2023 and up to 5th for this talented & hard working U14s side!
Man of The Match – Thomas Antrobus
Cefn Druids U15’s vs Airbus
Druids Draw 2-2
Great to see the never die attitude again today grabbing an equaliser 5 mins from the end and then I thought Fenton had got us all 3 points with the last kick of the game, but wasn’t meant to be. Great attitude from everyone again this week. The lads battled hard from the beginning to the end.
First half I thought we played the much better football and deserved to go in 1-0 up at half time. Great ball in from Josh and Vaughn with a great header at the back post.
Second half we didn’t come out at all and let Airbus back into the game. They scored 2 and we were lucky the ref gave another offside. But fair play to the lads they kept plugging away and we scored from another set piece near the end.
Thought it was another great team performance today with everyone doing their jobs well, especially first half.
Well done everyone. See you all in training ready to go again.
