Horden CW u11s

Last pre season game tonight against Durham United Wolves U11 24/25 up at our new home pitch up wellfield tonight

We had to soak up pressure from Durham in the first half who played the better football but resilient defending kept the score 0-0 at half time we we knew we had more to offer than we showed 1st half.

Second half both teams started lively and Horden grew confidence to play more and a little bit more conscious when to press the ball. Slightly against the run of play we found an opener when Oliver curled the ball into the top corner from outside the box. Durham pushed for an equaliser but Jacob was equal to everything until a penalty was given away which Durham converted. Durham scored a second about 7-8 minutes later when they broke down the wing and played to an unmarked forward in the box, we thought Jacob saved the shot but it looped just inside the post.

Horden pushed to get an equaliser and a couple of chances fell our way but we were just missing the clinical finish or sometimes over playing instead of getting shots away. Last kick of the game was a penalty to Durham who missed the chance to extend their lead after a strong save from Jacob.

A good performance overall against a team two divisions higher and a good test before we start our league campaign on Saturday, thanks to Durham for the game and good luck for the upcoming season 👍

Goal
Oliver ⚽️

MOTM
Thomas 🏆

The game really livened up for us when Thomas come on playing right wing, hold up play was good and always wants to turn his defender and create chances. Unlucky with a couple of efforts but always wants to make something happen.

🔴 ⚫️

Another friendly down Boro this morning against Cleveland Juniors.

A similar slow start saw Cleveland take the lead with a ball through the middle. Once we got going it was a close half, with us having most our chances from distance. A makeshift defence struggled with longer balls through the middle and we weren’t quite connecting our passes in the final third, we went into half time trailing 1-0

Second half was better from our point of view. We saw a few chances fall our way before Cleveland doubled their lead when we failed to deal with the second ball from a tackle won. We had a chance to pull one back when Maxwell failed to see two players in acres of space in the box and opted to shoot himself and in typical fashion the opposition punished us with their next attack to make it 3-0 🤦‍♂️

Maxwell did make a mends soon after, calmly rounding the keeper to get us a goal back, this give us a bit of a boost and the majority of attacks after this were from us. We saw plenty opportunities to get another back, their keeper making one or two saves, but we let ourselves down more often than not with our decision making, some times taking more touches than needed instead of playing in others in better positions.

A game we’ll learn from but a keenly contested game despite the score, a good run out from the boys and a couple of guest players covering some boys in holiday.

Last friendly on Tuesday before our season opener next Saturday.

Goal
Maxwell ⚽️

MOTM
Maxwell and Noah 🏆

Both boys were very lively most of the game, they’re players who like to be on the ball (sometimes too long) but they showed positive attacking play and on another day could have scored a few between them. Well done boys

Ian Sarge take a bow 👏

The work he puts in behind the scenes securing funding is incredible. This helps to grow and support the junior section for years to come

A really poor start cost us in a friendly against Kader this morning down Middlesbrough

The first 10-15 minutes was a write off, I think about 5 of the boys were still in bed and Kader scored 3 very preventable early goals. We pulled a goal back from a corner which Oliver headed accross the keeper which gave us a a bit of belief to get back into the game, it evened out towards the end of the half and we seemed to have woken up. Sam hit the bar from a free kick, unlucky not to go into half time 3-2.

Second half we were a different team, passing combinations better and a lot stronger physically we were finally seeing the team playing to our strengths. Jonah topped last weeks effort with a curling shot into the top corner from outside the box to bring it to 3-2 and game back on. We were now seeing our boys play more comfortably, winning possession and attacking well forcing their keeper into several good saves. Slightly against the run of play Kader scored two similar second half goals with their striker played through the middle to score, but between their goals Oliver got his second after a scramble in the box fell to him to poke in.

Jack had a couple of chances which he was unlucky to see go wide and a really good save from Kaders keeper kept us at bay until Logan set us up for a late comeback after Thomas squared the ball to him to score. Unfortunately we ran out of time but definately turned things round in the second half, just neee to start games with the same attitude and intensity so we aren’t chasing games from the start

Definate game of two halves.

Goals
Oliver ⚽️ ⚽️
Jonah ⚽️
Logan ⚽️

MoTM
Jonah 🏆

Jonah covered everywhere today, really come into his own in the second half, winning tackles and possession in midfield and showing how capable he is physically. Playing combinations with our wingers and forwards and a really well hit goal. Well done Jonah 👏

🔴 ⚫️

Happy birthday to Sam the Man, 10 today 🙌

You wouldn’t think by the way he plays he is the baby of the team!!

Hope you have a great day Sam 🎂

After a hectic summer of not being able to get everyone together to give awards from last season we presented trophies to winners after todays game

Parents Most Improved Player - Theo

Theo is an energetic and technical footballer, last season he was a real positive for us in his first season. Always gives 100% and shows some incredible dribbling and scored some great goals.

Parents Player of the Season - Oliver

Unfortunately last season was Oliver’s last season in goal but he gave some really solid performances. In a season where we struggled as a team he really got a chance to show what he was capable of between the sticks, making save after save in every game. He’s now got his sights on winning awards as a winger

Coaches Most Improved Player - Logan

Logan is mr versatile for us, so much so that I don’t think I’ve found a settled position for him yet. When his heads in the game he’s another good technical footballer who played every position on the pitch for us last season. Showing good promise as a full back/right winger

Coaches Player and Players Player - Sam

Sam the man 😎 our very own Vinny Jones. He’s as strong as an ox and really relishes physical challenges in games, another player who got to show his strengths in defending against some really top teams. He’s learned loads to his game, becoming more comfortable on the ball and even gets amongst the goals now with some really good finishing. The boys know how influential a positive Sam is to the team and the vote from them was almost unanimous when I asked them about this award.

Very well done to every kid who pulled on the Horden Shirt last season, far from a great season results wise but in terms of progression I can see a lot of improvement in the whole team.We have seen some players come and go over the season and we wish them well in the future and we have a really good core of players who work hard for each other, are good friends outside of football and after a little influx of players from Hartlepool for next season we are looking forward to new challenges ahead.

Well done boys 👏

🔴 ⚫️

A brilliant second half performance saw us overturn a 2-0 half time scoreline to win 3-2 with a late stunner from Jonah

Playing Birtley Eagles, a team we know play good possession based football and that we would have to defend well. Unfortunately Birtley scored two goals, both coming from errors from us and we went into half time in a close game 2-0 down

Speaking to the boys I let them know it was down to us why we were behind and to remain calm on the ball and play quick passes. Birtley settled into the second half comfortable again in possession and we chased the ball for the beginning of the half. Once we got into it and started threatening ourselves a bit of belief got into the kids. Our first goal come from a corner, a bit of a scramble and Oliver poked home. Our second goal came from Jake playing a long ball up to Logan who controlled well, played square to Oliver who passed into Theo’s path for an easy finish, great football 👏

Dying moments of the game we found ourselves defending again more than we would have liked but our defenders played well to catch them offside a few times. After an attack from us a clearance landed and Jonah’s feet, sat up and bang, half volley straight into the net!! Great celebrations from the team and a really well deserved winning goal 🙌

Goals
Oliver ⚽️
Theo ⚽️
Jonah ⚽️

MoTM
Oscar 🏆

Oscar did a lot of defending today, really good covering right back and swept up a lot when they were attacking. Countless tackles won and didn’t let a mistake in the first half affect his game. Well done Oscar 👏

Friendly against Silksworth Youth today at Wellfield

Some really good phases of play and end to end and a decent run out for the boys. Lost 4-3 but had ourselves to blame for a couple of the goals conceded.

Couple of our goals coming from very good passing football which is encouraging to see the boys playing with more confidence each week

Goals
Jonah ⚽️
Jack ⚽️
Theo ⚽️

MOTM
Theo 🏆

High energy game from Theo, used him in a couple of positions and always a threat, wants to run at defenders and creates chances for himself and others. Well done Theo 👏

🔴 ⚫️

Something a bit different for training tonight but the boys loved it down the beach ⚽️

Couple of hill sprints 😥
small sided games 🆚
a dip in the sea 🏊‍♂️
lads v dads game (dads won again) 💪
a second dip in the sea 🏊‍♀️

Glad to welcome Oscar to the team too after he’s helped out in a couple of friendlies and fit right in with the boys aswell

🔴 ⚫️

We played a friendly this morning in warm conditions against Washington Utd

Starting brightly we were very attack minded and went a goal up early on after Jack slotted home from a corner. Washy levelled things up quite quickly but we settled again and looked a lot more threatening for the rest of the half and adjusting to the new 9 a side format.

Our second goal come from a washy corner, defended well and Harrison played a great pass up the line to Thomas in loads of space who passed accross the onrushing keeper for Oliver to score. Thomas turned from provider to scorer after another pass this time from Sam saw Thomas have space and time to dribble into the box and score with neat finish.

Wasshington pulled another goal back when a corner wasn’t dealt with and their player snuck the ball in the near post 3-2 at half time and a really good pace to our play and our wide players Oliver and Thomas in particular a threat

Second half Washington started to pass the ball better and created chances for them to level, but we were quick in our counter attacks getting up the pitch well in numbers. No goals for a bit despite efforts from Theo, a free kick from Noah hitting the bar, but Noah found the back of the net with a beautiful strike from a deep corner, lifting into the top of the net for a great goal.

Washington pushed for goals to get them back in the game and pulled one back when a shot from outside the box looped over Jacob in goal. Agonisingly the same player hit a shot which was a great effort into the top corner to pull things level at 4-4, a great strike and it was the last kick of the game.

We finished with penalties with us scoring the more but it was a great run out against a very talented side and really great to see us so positive and attacking well this morning, and another where we weren’t offside once the full game.

Goals
Jack ⚽️
Oliver ⚽️
Thomas ⚽️
Noah ⚽️

MOTM
Thomas and Oliver 🏆

Both our wingers caused Washington problems this morning. Direct and attacking the defenders and creating chances. Both got a goal each and had very good games.

Well done boys 👏 🔴 ⚫️

Euro 2024 Predictor Results 🥁

Winner
76 points Chris Lakey

Close but no cigar
71 points Allison Kelly
70 points Neil Castelow

Thanks everyone for taking part and helping out our team 👏

😬 🤞

Next seasons away kit kindly modelled by Jonah

Thank you very much to WE ARE Ibstock - at the heart of building for helping with sponsorship🤝

A defeat at the hands of Hilda Park this morning saw the end to a difficult 2023/2024 season for this team. A goal for Maxwell and MOTM for Theo

A really difficult season for us having lost the equivalent of a full team of players throughout this year for various reasons, we have struggled in a league which was above our capabilities as a result but the boys have been amazing in both their attitudes and effort, on many occasions playing with a bare 7 or even just 6 players against the best teams in the region. I really wondered would we have a team to take forward into next season but always remained positive

Now stronger in both numbers and as a team we look forward to next season having recruited some great kids recently who have helped us through the spring cup campaign and have really settled into the team nicely and I'm really encouraged to work with this group over summer ready for moving up to 9 a side for 2024/2025.

Firstly I have to give a huge amount of credit to our kids. Having played out a really difficult season in the Premier division and competing as pretty much a new team in spring cup, the core of our team have been committed, keen to learn and they understand that although things haven't gone their way they've come out of the season as better footballers and they have done it with a truly great attitude and some great performances along the way. I would also like to thank the parents, their support and commitment to the kids has been unquestionable, and the newer signings have been excellent for us so have been welcome additions

Last but not least a shoutout to our sponsors over the past season. We really appreciate your generosity and support of the kids. As well as this who help with our fundraising efforts with football cards etc

Branchwalkers Northeast Landscapes
186 Property Solutions
Canny Comps Ltd
igomove

Onto next season!! 🔴⚫

Predictor update

1st place up now (including last nights results)

1st Paul Vinnicombe - 18 points
2nd George Jenner - 16 points

There's a load of people on 13 and 14 points and some like myself lagging behind but a couple of corrects scores can see the leaders change and of course the bonus points for the group winners and finalists etc

Will update after the second round of group games are completed.

Second to last games of the season and 7 v 7 for to boys tonight against our neighbours Easington CW U10 Boys - 2023/24 and it was a cracking game.

We weathered a bit of a storm early in the game which leveled out after the first 10 mins or so. We grabbed the first goal after a good strike from the edge of the box from Jonah who hit it well. Easington forced a cracking save from Oliver who tipped a shot destined for the top corner off the bar but it wasn't long before Easington pulled level after their striker took a great touch to set up a strike he rifled into the side netting. Easington scored again with pretty much a carbon copy of their first, another clean hit smashed into the side net.

After a couple of chances for both teams including a great free kick from Sam well saved, maxwell tripping when through on goal and then again when a pass sat perfect for him to strike 😦 we kept pushing to get back into the game and some excellent play saw logan play a tidy combitatition with jonah and maxwell and maxwell finished at the tightest of angles to bring it 2-2 at the break.

Easington started the second half on the front foot. Capitalising in a a mistake at the back to take the lead again. The second half followed the same relentless pace as the first, end to end attacking and good defending and goalkeeping from both sides. Sam made an outstanding double block on the line, their forward rounded oliver and looked certain to score before Sam slid in to block his effort on the line and then again from the rebound, absolutely the moment of the game. Horden pushing for an equaliser saw Easington break late in the game, ball fell to their player who sat the ball up and hit a perfect shot past Oliver to put the game to bed.

Really entertaining game played at a frantic pace at times. Both teams looking to attack and some strong defending on show and a real advert for kids football in East Durham

Goals
Jonah ⚽
Maxwell ⚽

MOTM
Sam 🏆

Another really strong game from Sam who's confidence seems to grow each game. Some great tackling, showed tremendous determination for his double block on the line and he's really becoming a lot more confident to dribble and even get some shots on goal. Keep it up Sam 💪

Match post sponsor Canny Comps Ltd

Another Sunday game today and another good performance. And finally something went our way for once 🙌

We faced Birtley Eagles, a team we have never faced so didn't know what to expect, but from the off we saw they were a very good team in possesion who do the simply things very well. In a first half with limited chances we found ourselves chasing Birtley a but and letting them play too much for our liking.

Birtley took the lead early in the second half after one of their many quick passing moves fell to a player in space to strike. We didn't let our heads drop and started creating chances for ourselves. Jonah hit a clean volley from a corner which went through the keepers legs and it was 50/50 if the ball crossed the line but we never seem to get these decisions. Jack had an effort saved by the keeper and his rebound blocked and Oliver started forcing saves from the birtley keeper from a well hit free kick and another where he tried to lob him but he just got a touch to take it wide.

Finally we got the rub of the green!! A late corner found Oliver at the back post for a header to pull us level. Another late chance could have seen us steal the game after Thomas and Oliver combined but Thomas effort was just wide. Game finished 1-1 and again our effort and determination was second to none. Birtley played the better football but we had the more clear chances.

Goal
Oliver ⚽

MOTM
Harrison 🏆

Harrison recently joined us and has really become a strong member of the team. Especially in defence. He won alot of his battles this morning. Tackling was excellent all game and he's always wanting to set up attacks with his passing. He has a great attitude to football so well done Harrison 👏

Match post sponsor Canny Comps Ltd

Another step in the right direction this morning for the boys against Durham Utd Wolves

Starting the game well defensively and threatening a few times we opened the score after Harrison played a great ball up the line to Thomas who played in Maxwell for a thunderous strike for a very well worked goal. We pushed for a second but durham equalised after a counter attack saw Oliver make a good save from a 1 on 1 but it was a durham player on hand to score a tap in.

At half time I was happy with the performance and wanted more of the same. Maxwell was very lively and dragged us up the pitch numerous times with some really good skill and determination. Jonah was busy in midfield pressing and our defence were doing a really good job limiting durham attacks. Sam with 3 or 4 perfect slide tackles and Harrison being our ball playing defender.

Second half Horden took the lead after a corner, maxwell hit a shot which Thomas tried to head in but it was a durham defender who took the last touch for an own goal. Durham equalised again from a quick counter to make things level and the game really opened up at this point with both teams trying for a winner. Durham were awarded a penalty but Oliver made a good save to his right to keep the game level. A couple of chances came from both teams with the goalkeepers keeping it ties until the last couple of minutes when Durham broke again and sealed the win for them.

Thought today could have been a positive result for the kids but the performance was really good from us. Every player played their part in a good game but will be slightly gutted not to get a result but we are seeing the kids really gelling as a team now these past couple of games and we look to continue this over the summer

Goals
Maxwell ⚽
OG ⚽

MOTM
Jonah and Maxwell 🏆

Tough to decide this morning as all the boys played their part. Defending from Harrison and Sam was really good with some excellent tackles, rhys and jonah did a great job in midfield and Maxwell, Thomas and Jack were always positive looking to create chances. Oliver made a couple of good saves, handling was good and a big penalty save.

I let the boys decide and we had a tie, maxwell was a handful for Durham today, really determined play and a constant threat and Jonah was all action in midfield. Won a lot of 50/50s and broke up play all game and was positive in his passing.

Well done boys and another game tomorrow

Match post sponsor Canny Comps Ltd

Hope everyone enjoys the Euros. Thanks to everyone who entered our Predictor to raise funds for the team

Finally....... It's coming home 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

EURO 2024 PREDICTOR

£5 PER TEAM WITH 50% SPLIT BETWEEN WINNER AND THE TEAM

I will have these sheets at training tomorrow to share out and can email pdf if anyone wants to share with family, friends, work colleagues

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-mtYWYg2QXtsO3GszkEtzBDg4rpMINtA/view?usp=drivesdk

Last Entries Friday 12 noon.

Let me know if you want a few sheets to hand out.

Much improved performance in today's game compared to yesterday's

Although we conceded the majority of possession to Seaburn who were the more comfortable team on the ball we matched them with our resilience and effort.

We lost Jonah early when he took a whack on the knee and Seaburn opened the scoring converting a softly awarded free kick after a deflection from our defender

We defended well the remainder of the half and carved a few half chances ourselves on the counter.

Half time I asked the boys to be more firm in their challenges, try to play higher up the pitch and hopefully gain some momentum in our play.

Early in the second half Sam saw the Seaburn sweeper keeper off his line and launched a rocket over his head and into the net (he did tell me he was going to do this at half time so it was no fluke). We hoped the goal would give us a lift but the chances just wouldnt sit right for us and Seaburn scored 2 goals, one a deflection and the other a fortunate tap in after Oliver had superbly tipped a shot onto the bar.

Oliver grabbed him self a goal scoring a great free kick from the half way line, a Seaburn parent remarked that it wasn't 'proper football' but for me if a kid has confidence to score a top bins from halfway I encourage that 👏

We couldn't find another goal so lost 3-2 but definitely a huge improvement on yesterday.

Goals
Sam ⚽
Oliver ⚽

MOTM
Sam and Thomas 🏆

Few standout players this morning. Harrison and Sam were really tested defensively often dealing with 4 or 5 attackers but between them their tackling and strength was excellent. I edged it for Sam after his great goal

Thomas ran his legs off all game. Playing out wide and upfront his pressure caused Seaburn some problems. He forces errors and made them play back into their box on numerous occasions. Total selfless running and hard work for his team mates

Well done boys

Match post sponsor Canny Comps Ltd

Very flat performance this morning from the boys against Birtley

Struggled to play out from the back which cost us a few goals today. We need some of the boys to understand their positions and roles on the pitch more as we progress to 9 a side shortly. The boys know they are capable of a lot more than they showed this morning

We have a chance to make up for it tomorrow with a game on the grass at newbottole

Hosted Easington u9s in a friendly tonight rather than training

Good game overall from both teams. Horden winning by a couple of goals in a lively game on a tight pitch. Good workout for the boys after a week off and a double game weekend coming up, some of the newer boys finding their feet in the team

Well done the 7 boys who played all mins tonight and credit to Easington who have some talented footballers 👏

Beaten semi finalists by the eventual winners today for the boys in the East Cleveland Cup down in Redcar

Some great football played and better team in most if not all of our games

Despite the kids being disappointed in not making the final it was great to see them playing with confidence and was a good opportunity for the boys to bond with newer members of our team

Well done lads 👏

⚽️ Tomorrows Game ⚽️
We face Teesside Juniors in another spring cup game in the morning. Couple of new additions to the squad to settle in and hopefully a good game of football before we head to Redcar for a tournament on Sunday

🆚 Teesside Juniors
⏰ 9.25 kick off (meet 9.05)
🏟️ Silksworth Ski Slopes

Haway the Mini Marras 🔴 ⚫️

New Kit ❤️ 🖤

Thanks to DCD Teamwear who are our new suppliers for Horden CW Junior Academy and igomove who won a sponsorship raffle to be our back of shirt sponsor

Halfpenny Accountancy will be our match/training jacket sponsor when we get these over the summer Ready for our first 9v9 season

With no league game scheduled we’ve planned a 9 a side friendly with Boro Rangers Oranges tomorrow morning in preparation for next season.

We’ll be on the grass down at horden welfare so if you’re at a loose end then pop along.

We have always had really good games with these and the football is always of a good standard for the age group ⚽️

🆚 Boro Rangers Oranges
🏟️ Horden Welfare Park
⏰ 10am Kick Off

🔴 ⚫️ Haway the Marras ⚫️ 🔴

That warm this morning up at silksworth there was no snow left on the ski slopes

Tough conditions and no subs saw us graft for 50 minutes. Playing some terrific football at times. Tired legs towards the end saw Boldon capitalise and take the win but not for a brave effort from the boys.

Boldon took then lead when a shot from distance found its way between Oliver’s legs, we equalised not long after with probably the best passing move of the match, from defence to attack, passes through nearly every player and a simple finish from Maxwell. Boldon took the lead with a great strike from distance into the top corner and another before half time saw us trail 3-1 at half time.

We got our breath back at half time and got ourselves back into the game, our attacking play improving and we got another goal back when Logan showed great feet and composure to take on a defender, sat the keeper down and put the ball in the net. We pressured to level things, Logan put a shot wide, Maxwell unfortunately looped an effort and Theo with an opportunity not taken. Boldon got us on the counter to score a fourth and put the game to bed late on

Massive effort from all the boys this morning, fresh legs being the difference in a close game, Boldon making changes every 10-15 minutes definately gave them the upper hand but a couple of really good footballers on their team had great games.

Goals
Maxwell ⚽️

MOTM
Logan 🏆

Great excuse to bring out this beauty of a photo 🤣

Logan was asked to play every position apart from goalkeeper today so we could rotate the boys around, started in defence where he was strong in his tackles and setting up attacks, then on the wing where his passing and dribbling was brilliant, and upfront where he again showed great dribbling and a cool finish for his goal, could have had another goal had he shot on target but a great game and hopefully more of these performances from Logan 👏

Match post sponsor Canny Comps Ltd

⚽️ Tomorrows Game ⚽️

Boldon Colts are our opponents for tomorrow’s game, after a flat performance against a strong side last week, we look forward to getting back to our passing football against a team I know are comfortable on the ball aswell. Should be a keenly contested game hopefully.

🆚 Boldon Colts
⏰ 9.25 kick off (meet 9.05)
🏟️ Silksworth Ski Slopes

Haway the Mini Marras 🔴 ⚫️