U13 Clarets record best start to a season

Team Sheet: Nat Manders Jones, Callum Cawthorn, Ewan McCracken, Isaac Flemming, Sam Bell, Dan Malcolmson, James Russell, George Cushen, Owen Jacobs. Subs: Matt Holland and Joe Goldsmith

Result: Crowland Juniors 0 – 10 Deeping Clarets.

The Clarets fielding 3 new players this season kicked off their season with an away fixture against Crowland Juniors, played at Snowden Fields on what was a sunny Sunday morning.

After the fair play hand shake had taken place both teams lined up to compete in the first of many games this season. The Clarets in their new kit of Claret Top, Clarets Short, and Claret Socks, the boys proudly displaying their new sponsor’s name on their shirts, ‘Bob Broughton’.

The game began with Crowland kicking off, the Clarets from the off stated their intention towards the game by applying pressure on the ball from the whistle, both teams in the opening moment testing each other.

The Clarets very quickly got into their stride with Dan Malcolmson, James Russell and Sam Bell linking well in midfield. It was in the initial exchanges when on 5 minutes James Russell received a pass from George Cushen that allowed James to test the Crowland keeper. Receiving the pass, James controlled the ball well and continued his run down the right and let loose with a powerful shot and the ball went straight into the bottom corner for the Clarets’ first goal of the game.

The Clarets settled into their stride and started to control the game, passing the ball in all areas of the pitch, the strikers, George Cushen and Owen Jacobs making it difficult for the Crowland defence.

When Crowland did venture into the Clarets half, Callum Cawthorn, Isaac Flemming and Ewan McCracken dealt with any pressure and managed the ball well to help start another Claret attack.

It was in the 17th minute when the ball came out of the Crowland box and was received by George Cushen who quickly passed to Dan Malcolmson. Dan saw the Crowland keeper off his line and scored what can be described as the goal of the game, lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box for the ball to land in the back of the Crowland goal, 0-2 to the Clarets.

Quickly after the restart, Sam Bell received a pass from Dan Malcolmson on the left side, Sam continued his run passing one Crowland player and cutting in towards goal, and Sam let off a shot which beat the Keeper, Clarets 0-3 up on 19mins.

The Clarets continued to play well with the whole team passing the ball around the pitch supporting from the back. It was in the 28th minute The Clarets went 0-4 up as James on the right passed the ball in the box for George Cushen to receive, control and rifle a right footed shot in the back of the net.

It wasn’t long after the restart the Clarets won possession and we saw George Cushen drop deep, to put the ball at the feet of James Russell who without breaking stride continued his run down the right, cutting in to slot the ball out of reach of the Crowland Keeper to reach the back of the net and to score his second goal of the game. On 29 minutes, Clarets were 0-5 up.

The first half goals didn’t stop there; as the first half was coming to a close George Cushen received the ball high up the field, the Clarets Left Back, Ewan McCracken found himself pushing forward receiving the ball he headed towards goal and let loose a bullet of a shot that was headed goal bound, the Crowland keeper could not keep the ball bursting the net, the Clarets now 0-6 up as the first half whistle blew.

Second Half

The Clarets made some changes in the second half, Matt Holland coming on for Isaac Fleming, and Joe Goldsmith for Sam Bell. The boys started the second half and continued as they ended and on 38mins Ewan McCracken fed the ball by James Russell from a cross from the right slotted the ball into the back of the Crowland net, Clarets now strolling and 0-7 up.

The Clarets continued to pepper the Crowland goal and in all credit, the Crowland team kept going and their Goalkeeper made some outstanding saves to keep the ball going into the net more often.

On 50 minutes, Clarets won a corner, on the right, the ball was crossed in by Ewan McCracken and as the Clarets moved towards goal, the ball went in the back of the net off a Crowland player, Own Goal (credited to Ewan McCracken), Clarets strolling at 0-8.
Throughout the game Crowland continued to battle, but not causing the Clarets defence too many concerns, when Joe Goldsmith and Matt Holland were called upon, they dealt with any threat quickly and competently. Joe continued to defend higher up the pitch and receiving the ball from a goal kick began the next attack, it was on the 60th minute if there were any doubts to Ewan’s hat trick he took a shot and the keeper was picking the ball out of the net for the 9th time.

Further changes were made and Sam Bell went back on for Dan Malcolmson and Isaac for Ewan, both boys making an impact straight away and Isaac so close to scoring his first ever goal the Clarets with an impressive bicycle kick, the ball just going over the bar.
Crowland found themselves in the Clarets half and Matt Holland intercepted a pass, and while on the floor passed it towards Callum Cawthorn who then made a penetrating pass through the midfield to release James on the right side. James continued his run to cross the ball into Crowland Box, it was after a scramble in the box that Owen popped and in the 64th minute after a rebound off Isaac, slotted the ball into the net, scoring his first goal and final goal of the game. After an outstanding performance, Clarets won the game 0-10.

Man of the Match: Ewan McCracken