Fresh from opening our medal tournament with a win, U10 Reds headed over to March for game 2.

A few games in the team is starting to get a more settled shape as James and I see more of the newer players and how they work in different positions. All of the lads have done well playing where they have been asked to play, but less rotation is the way forward to help them settle into their positions and learn their responsibilities in the team.

Pumas started very brightly, controlling the ball and making several dangerous attacks, the defence were very solid and Midfield covered them very strongly so Charlie starting the game in goal did not have too much too do. Filip as usual made some very good runs up front, Sav and Dexter trying to find him with through balls as we had discussed. Filip was extremely brave chasing onto a through ball the keeper came out for strongly, managing to get there just before a heavy challenge wiped them both out! Unluckily the ball didn't go in but more importantly both players got up unharmed and played on - brave stuff from both.

Malik and Adam were strong again, protecting first Charlie and then Ollie in the Pumas goal. March had some strength upfront and kept the lads on their toes with some strong runs and decent footwork. James came into the game and made some positive dribbles and some very good passes to the forward players. Jake had replaced Filip and carried on the good work upfront. These two lads are making lots of positive runs in the right areas as we have instructed them, and it is giving the team a good option to find with their passes. Alex came on and made some good forward runs down the wing. I have to give a big mention here to Jack. Pre match I asked him to try and get more involved in the game and impose himself on the opposition a bit more - I was not expecting quite the display we saw though - absolutely superb Jack, a range of passing, running off the ball, and several well timed tackles - really strong all round. Unfortunately for all our efforts March went into the break ahead, we had restricted them early on but just gave away too much space in the last few minutes of the half. Full credit to the March player who found the top corner from distance, some shots are just not going to be saved, no reflection on the Keeper.

Second half started in a similar vein, some neat Pumas passing and running off the ball was occasionally leaving us out of position, and the March midfield were straight onto us to exploit the spaces, unfortunately leaving the Keepers a bit more exposed, and three goals in quick succession followed. A few tactical changes were made and positions swapped around, as Pumas tried to get back into the game. Adam showed some real positive running in Midfield as he and Sav probed the march defence several times, a little bit more work on our short passing and decision making and we will be creating a huge amount of chances. As it is our possession did not come to anything, but we were looking very strong for long periods of the half. Jack again showing us all how to play the midfield role with confidence, carried on where he left off 1st half.

One bright spot for the lads came a little later on. Malik hit what I am already going to call as the pass of the season, from just outside our box he found Jake midway into the March half - great vision and execution to put the ball within a stride of Jake. Jake managed to take it in his stride and completely wrongfooted the defender with his first touch before bending it round the keeper and into the bottom corner for his 2nd in 2 games! A consolation goal in the end but lovely to see us get a little something from the game ad hopefully give his confidence in front of goal a huge boost.

So in the end beaten, but the scoreline did not reflect our periods of dominance. Some very good stuff and so rewarding to see the fruits when the boys listen and play as a team. A few things still to work on with our positioning and tracking runners, but its getting there.

Coaches and Parents Puma of the Week - it could only be Jack - well done young man, lets have that every week!