Under 9's 2007 / 2008

Contact Information

Ian Coates: 01242 696692 Manager/Coach
Email: iancoates@ypmania.net

Sarah Wynn: 01242 771456
Email: sarah.wynn@live.uwe.ac.uk

Dave Miller: 01242 701802 Coach
Email: dave-miller@sky.com

Latest Fixtures

We have secured a 4th place finish in the Under 9 League. This is a fantastic effort in our first competative season and the lads should be proud of their efforts. Well done to each and every one of the boys, coaches and parents for all the hard work.


Training at the Folly, 10 am start Sat 10/05/08.

FIXTURE LIST

LEAGUE TABLE

Team Honours

Cheltenham Saracens Tournement Runners-up September 2007
Tredworth Tigers Tournament 3rd place July 2007
Mitcheldean Tournament Semi-finalists July 2007
Cheltenham Town Tournament Semi-finalists July 2007
Southside Tournament Runners-Up June 2007

2007 - 2008 LEAGUE MATCH REPORTS

Saturday 22 March 2008 10:30 & 11.15 FRIENDLY
Cheltenham Saracens U9 - Cirencester Town U9 The Folly

Two competative games played in a great spirit but terrible conditions. The first match was 1-1 with Greg notching a good goal to put us 1-0 up. The lads played uphill into a string wind and driving snow and Cirecenster scored a goal late on in the second half.

The second game was played in even worse weather and Saries raced into a 2-0 lead. Harry direct fom a corner with a superb effort and David with a good finish from the edge of the box. The lads had plenty of chances but the Cirencester keeper was in great form. The second half saw Saries play into a string driving wind with heavy snow flurries. Cirencester rattled in 5 to win 5-2 which did flatter them.

Thanks to Cirencester for both games and a special mention to the superb spirit the games were played in with excellent sportsmanship by all concerned.

Saturday 15/03/08 - St Marks Dragons 5-0 Saracens

A game to forget and a disappointing end to the season against a physical and very good Dragons side. The half time score was 3-0 and despite a better second half effort St Marks were just too good on the day.

However lets not dwell on the result which does nothing to lessen the superb season we have had and a very very good 4th place finish. Well done everyone.


Saturday 08/03/08 - Lakeside Whites 3-0 Saracens

We lined up Ben in goal, Jack and Matt at the back, Sam, Greg and Henry in midfield and Cal up front. Lakeside needed a point to secure the title and tore into the lads from the off. Matty and Jack had to make a number of clearances and Ben was at his best in goal. He pulled off one fantastic save in particular, tipping a shot over the bar. Lakeside continued to dominate as the rain got heavier and soon ran into a two goal lead with Ben helpless with both.

Ian made some changes at half time and told the lads to make some tackles. The lads lined up Matty in goal, Ben and Ricky at the back, Greg, Sam and Harry in midfiled and David up front. Straight away the lads were up for it and harried and hassled the Lakeside players. This was more of an evan contest with Sam, Greg and Harry influencial in midfield, Dave giving the defenders no peace at the back and Ben and Ricky blocking everything Lakeside threw forward. Matty made as good a save as Ben in the first half tipping the ball over the bar and with a bit more luck, Dave, Sam and Greg would have been in on goal. But Lakeside deserved their win and scored a late third with a lob from distance which had all the crowd applauding.

Well done to the lads for a spirited display and to Lakeside for becoming champions.


Saturday 01/03/08 - Cleeve Colts Rangers 0-2 Saracens

We lined up Dom in goal, Liam and Ben at the back, Sam, Henry and Ricky in midfield and Dave upfront. It was an even first half with few chances and with Liam and Ben solid at the back Dom was a vertual spectator. Sam had a half chance and Dave a good run but we were unable to break the deadlock and we went in level at the break.

Jamie replaced Dom between the sticks, and Matty, Jack, Harry and Cal were also introduced at the break. Cleeve put us under pressure early on but Matty and in particular Ben, who ran himself into the ground in an all action display. This proved vital as Dom's great cross was turned in at close range by Sam. 1-0! The second was not far away when a cross shot from Harry hit the post and Cal scored from a couple of yards out. 2-0 and a very good win.

Gotherington Juniors 1-2 Saracens

The lads lined up Ben in goal, Jamie and Matty at the back, Henry, Harry and Liam in midfield and David up front. This was very much like the first half of the first game with few chances at either end. Ben was a spectator as Matty and Jamie kept the Gotherington strikers quiet. As before we turned around at 0-0.

Dom, Ricky, Sam, Jack and Cal were introduced at the break and the game opened up. Sam and Dom both had chances whilst Ben was alert in goal and made two decent stops. Then a ball in from Matty was turned goalwards by Cal and it struck the hand of a Gotherington defender. PENALTY. Dom stepped up and smashed it past the keeper. 1-0! The lads dropped back and almost immediately from a corner they were unable to clear and Gotherington scrambled the ball past Ben. 1-1! But the lads are are made of stern stuff and put Gotherington under pressure and a ball fell to Ricky on the edge of the box and he struck a great right foot shot past the keeper and into the corner of the net. 2-1 and his first Saracens goal. This sparked mass celebrations on the field and amongst the subs. There was time for Ben to tip a shot round the post and then the ref blew. 2-1, 6 points and celebrations. Ian was delighted with the effort of all the lads, well done!

16/02/08 Cirencester Town U9 3-2 Saracens (Cal both goals) & Cirencester Town U9 3-1 Saracens (Sam scored) (FRIENDLIES)

Great display from the lads against two very strong sides, especially as we only had one substitute and had to play 2 matches one after the other. The Cirencester Coach was very impressed with the standard of the side, commitment and spirit in which the game was played and is looking forward to the return on 22/03/08. Well done lads!

09/02/08 Saracens 3-2 Southside Tigers

We lined up Ben in Goal, Jamie and Jack in defence, Dom, Harry and Matty in midfield and Sam up front for the first game of the new League. The lads started well passing the ball around and creating chances and it was no surprise when Matty's low drive put us one up, his first of the season. Ben made a couple of good saves and Jack and Jamie were solid at the back. Chances kept on coming for Saries and Dom, Harry and Sam were all denied by the Tigers overworked keeper and it was no surprise when number two came. A great corner from Jack and a smart finish from Dom. Thwe lads went in 2-0 up at the break.

But the Tigers are a good side and came out in the second half determined to get something out of the game. A Tigers attack was not cleared and Southside pulled one back with a shot past the helpless Ben. Saries got back into their stride and Dom was just off target and a shot by by Jack from the half way line - a la Beckham - was even closer. Again Tigers pressed and they drew level from a corner that was not cleared and Ben had no chance with the shot. 2-2. But Saries are
made of stern stuff and rather than let their heads drop they surged forward and Dom and Sam were just off target. Jamie and Jack were great at the back denying Tigers when they came forward. Greg replaced Harry who had covered every blade of grass and a great passing move between Greg, Dom and Sam put Dom in and he made no mistake. A last minute goal and a 3-2 win!

09/02/08 Saracens 1-3 Leckhampton Rovers Lions

For game two we lined up Dom in goal, Liam and Ben at he back, Henry, Greg and Ricky in midfield and David up front.

Lions are a very strong team but Saries started well and Ben forced a good save from a free kick. Greg and Henry then shot just wide and against the run of play Lions went one up with a strike Dom had no chance with. David then had a shot saved and just could not get on the end of a great Greg cross as we pressed for an equaliser. Liam and Ben repelled the Lions attacks and just before the break a Ben free kick was dropped by the Lions keeper and David made no mistake. 1-1 at half time.

Sam replaced Ben at the back at half time but a Lions shot was tipped round the post by Sam and a penalty was given. Dom reacted superbly to push the well struck shot out. Lions now had the bit between their teeth and Greg cleared a shot off the line and Sam made a superb tackle. The resulting corner was flung in and Ricky was unlucky not to keep it out. 2-1 to the Lions. A third followed from a goal line scramble. 3-1 to the Lions. Again the lads did not give up and Ricky, Henry and Greg were all busy in midfield, Liam and Sam repelling Lions attacks, while David gave the Lions defence no peace. We were unlucky when David chased down the defender and keeper who got into a mix up but David just could not cross the ball into the area. The ref blew for full time and a 3-1 Lions win but a superb effort from the lads who played well against a decent Lions team.

02/02/08 Saracens 1-2 Churchdown Panthers (Cup Quarter Final)

A real game of two halves played on a sticky, muddy pitch. The lads were very slow out the blocks and found themselves two down, a header from a corner than Jamie nearly kept out and a shot after some hesitancy at the back. Gradually though Saries got themselves into the game with Sam, Dom and Harry starting to pass the ball around and Matty and Liam getting to grips with the Churchdown strikers. Dom and Sam had chances to score and just before the break David's shot was parried for a corner.

Ian changed things at half time introducing Ben, Jack, Greg, Henry and Callum and straight away they carved out chance after chance. Sam, Greg and Callum all had chances and an effort from Sam took a deflection and missed the top corner by inches. Saries pushed forward and left themselves open at the back by Ben and Jack kept Jamie a spectator in goal. Half way through the second half Greg picked up the ball outside the Saries box and ran and ran to the edge of the Churchdown area. His shot took a deflection and past the keeper into the net. 2-1 and game on! Saries were camped in the Churchdown box and from a corner a scramble fell to Greg whose shot went inches wide. It was not to be our day and the ref blew for full time and we were out. Heads were down but the second half performance was brilliant.

Good luck to Churchdown in the Semis.


26/01/08 Saracens 4-2 Cleeve Colts Rovers

The penultimate game of the season and the lads were determined to finish the regular season on a high. With Jamie, Ben and Jack solid at the back, Greg, Sam and Dom creating chances and Cal unlucky not to score, it was no surprise when Sam opened the scoring with a shot past the Cleeve keeper and off the post from the edge of the box. The lads were then caught cold with a break from Cleeve who drew level. Sam quickly restored the lead but Cleeve pegged the lads back again to make the half time score 2-2. Whatever Ian said at halftime worked at Dom scored a corker from half way inside the Cleeve half. Not to be outdone, Greg scored a rasper from outside the box. More and more chances were carved out but we could not take them. Jamie, Jack and Ben were great at the back and it was job done! A 4-2 win and a fantastic performance from everyone.

Southside Tigers 0-1 Saracens

The second game and a fresh team with only Jamie continuing between the sticks. Liam and Matty were solid at the back, Henry, Harry and Ricky busy in midfield and David giving the Southside defence no peace and despite some Southside pressure Jamie was largely untroubled. But for a good save from the Southside keeper, Harry could have given Saries a half time lead. Ben replaced Jamie in goal and was called upon to make a smart save early in the first half and it proved crucial as the lads took the lead soon after Harry pouncing on a rebound after a great move involving Matty, David and Henry. Southside threw everything forward but with Matty and Liam immense at the back, Henry, Harry, Ricky and David running themselves into the ground, Southside were unable to force an equaliser and such of the standard of defending from front to back, Ben was largely untroubled.

Two fantastic wins from two games (and David's Dad Dave now has to buy 13 packets of Jaffa Cakes as a win bonus!) and 13 superb performances and the lads can be proud of how well each and everyone of them played. As a result of their heroics we have finished a very good sixth place out of 15. The lads, Ian, coaches and parents can all be proud of this achievement in our first season in the League. Pats on the back all round.

5/01/08 Saracens 3-2 Lakeside Blues

Happy New Year! The first match of 2008 and the Christmas break had not affected the lads and they picked up where they left off against Charlton Rovers. With Dominic, Greg and Sam bossing midfield, Matt and Jack solid in defence and Harry causing problems up front, Saries were on the front foot and creating numerous chances. Harry went close twice and Sam had a goal bound shot deflected wide before Dominic broke the deadlock with a great lob past the stranded Blues keeper. With Matty and Jack in great form Jamie was a virtual spectator and Saracens went in 1-0 up at the break. David and Ben replaced Greg and Harry and the lads kept on pressing and Sam scored two more goals to give them the score line their efforts deserved. David, Sam and Dominic had further efforts to increase the lead and Matty and Jack continued to mark the Blue's forwards out of the game. Although the Blues scored two goals in the final two minutes, the result was never in doubt. Although the win was deserved it could have been by a wider margin. A great start to the day and a confidence builder before the second match.

Saracens 0-2 Lakeside Whites

This was the big one, the League leaders and the lads were determined to put on a better show than the pre season friendly. They certainly did that and in a physical encounter they gave the Whites no time to settle and more than held their own. With Dominic, Greg and Harry battling well in midfield, Matty and Jack solid at the back, Jamie in inspired form in goal and Callum causing problems up front the first goal could have gone either way. A free kick was conceded on the edge of the box and the White's player dispatched it into the top corner giving Jamie no chance. It was hard on the lads but rather than dropping their heads they showed great spirit and but for good saves from the White's keeper and super blocks by their defenders Greg and Harry would have scored. On the stroke of halftime, Matty floated over a great corner and it rolled across the six yard box and we just could not get a touch on the ball that would have put the lads on level terms at half time. Liam, Ben and Ricky were introduced and the lads pushed forward in the second half but could not get the equaliser their efforts and play deserved. This left gaps at the back and Jamie made a number of superb saves. Then from a White's corner, Matty was harshly adjudged to have pushed the Lakeside player and the ref pointed to the spot. But Jamie was determined not to be beaten and he pulled off a great save from the spot. In the final minute Sam appeared to be fouled but the ref waved play on and the White's player ran on to score. This was harsh on the lads and the score line flattered the League leaders, but the White's knew they had been in a game. Despite the score everyone can be proud of their efforts and Ian was delighted with the way the team had performed over the two games.

17/11/07 League Cup 1st Round - Saracens 3-1 Charlton Rovers

After the previous week's disappointment the lads were determined to put things right in the cup. With Jamie ruled out through illness Ben took over between the sticks and had a superb game. The lads were back to their best and went 2-0 up through Sam and Callum. Ben was beaten by a deflected effort near to full time and with Rovers pushing forward Henry notched a deserved third to round off a great team performance.

15/12/07 Charlton Rovers Blues 0-5 Saracens

The last game of 2007 and the lads wanted to round off the year in style and improve their league position and goal difference in the process. With Jamie unavailable Henry took the gloves for the first half and Matty the second and both can be proud of their efforts making some good stops and keeping clean sheets. This was to be a special day for Sam and Saracens turned around three up with Sam claiming the match ball after notching all three. In all honesty it could have been more with David, Greg and Sam (much to his Dad Andy's relief!!) all unlucky to see efforts saved or go just past the post. In the second half Sam carried on where he left off and scored his and the team's fourth and Greg scored a great fifth to round off a great personal display. Ricky and Callum also went close but the Year was rounded off in style with a 5-0 romp. Christmas also came early for four goal Sam who collected his goal bonus cash (although Andy still claims 2 were deflected and therefore own goals - bah humbug!!!!).

10/11/07 Saracens 3-4 Gotherington Jrs

Two games back at the Folly and we should have known that it was not going to go our way when the referee did not turn up. David's Dad Dave stepped into the breach and Saracens quickly went into a two goal lead through Sam and Dominic. Gotherington rallied though and scored three quick goals to turn the match on its head. The lads pushed forward and were caught on the break by Gotherington to lead 4-2. Sam scored at the death but Gotherington ran out 4-3 winners to leave the lads gutted. Still they were not helped by the ref, who had a shocker!!!

Saracens 1-4 Leckhampton Rovers Leopards

The lads couldn’t get going in this one and were soon behind to the Leopards who then cracked in two other goals to lead 3-0. Sam pulled one back but Leopards scored another to win 4-1. A disappointing end to a disappointing day.

3/11/07 Cleeve Colts 0-0 Saracens

After a few weeks off the lads got back to League action and the hard work put in on the training pitch really showed. Straight from the kick off the lads passing carved out numerous chances and only the Cleeve keeper, the woodwork and bad luck stopped them romping to a comfortable win. Sam, Dominic, Harry and Greg all went close, whilst at the back Jamie and his defence were untroubled. Despite the score line this was the best performance of the season.

Sacracens 1-1 Churchdown Panthers

In the second game the lads got off to the worst possible start conceding an early goal. However they got into the swing of things quickly and carried on the performance showed in the first game. David scored his first of the season, a good finish from a tight angle to level things up just before the break. There was only one team looking likely to win it and despite Callum, Henry and David going close Panthers clung on for a point. Another decent performance which saw Ricky make his debut.

Saracens v Leckhampton Rovers Lions
6/10/7
It was a chilly Octobers morning that greeted the boys when we arrived at whaddon Rec. With a good sized pitch with long grass it was going to be an energy sapping morning. Our first game of a double header was against leckhampton Rovers Lions.A well organised team with some tall and strong players in the squad. The match started very lively with leckhampton pushing plenty of men forward when they had the ball. We tried to carry the ball forward but met some strong resistance from rovers defence. Rovers' pressure finally paid with a goal coming from a corner and goal mouth scramble.
The second half saw much of the same with the boys just not quite gelling. In the end we went down 1-0 at the final whistle.


Saracens v Swindon Village Bowmen

The lads were determined to come away from the second game with something. The forwards were working together much more and Callum was unlucky to put a chance wide early on after being put through by Sam. Our pressure paid dividends when, late on in the half Sam turned on the edge of the area and got a shot off that had the keeper wondering what had happened as he picked it out of the back of the net. Bowmen applied more pressure after the goal but there was some very good work at the back by Jamie, Jack and Liam.
The second half started very similar to the first with lots of forward runs that stretched Bowmen, and gave chances to Matt, Harry and Callum that needed some good saves to keep out. Bowmen equalise with a stunning strike that crashed in off the crossbar that jamie had no chance with. Deep into the second half sam was brought down and we had a penalty, which sam tucked away neatly to put us 2-1 up. David was unlucky not to make it 3-1 late on with a good effort and the game finished with 2-1and 3 points well deserved!! well done to all the lads.

Saracens v Charlton Rovers
22/9/7

Our third match of the season took place at Swindon Village against Charlton Rovers.
The match kicked off and straight away you could see that Rovers were up for the game. The boys scrapped hard to win the ball against some tall and quick players. We struggled to get passes together and went down 1-0 late in the first half.
The second half was much of the same with some great tackling and running by all. Rovers' goalie was outstanding saving a great free kick taken by Sam that would have left most keepers floundering. The forwards tried everything to get the equaliser back as we knew we could play better than we were. But the goal just wouldn't come and we ended the game losing 1-0.

Saracens v St Marks Junior Saints and Dragons
15/9/7

Hooray it's here! Our first league match!!!
And what a challenge to begin with against our rivals of many a year , St Marks (Dragons and Saints).
Our first match saw us taking on St Marks Junior Saints. It was a good start for both teams with plenty of competitive football being played. Our hard work paid off when after 5 minutes Jack curled a superb ball in from a corner, that David Beckham would be proud of, that went straight in the back of the net to put us 1-0 up.
Good passing moves between Henry,Callum and David paid dividends with a great goal from Henry with his left foot ! there was plenty of work to do at the back with Liam and Ben doing a great job getting stuck in. Jack, Henry and David were also working hard in midfield closing down the opposition.
The 2nd half started badly as we conceded a scrappy goal to go 2-1. We soaked up 5 minutes of strong pressure from St Marks but our defence held well with Jamie commanding the goal . The star player of the match was Henry, great tackling and energy was topped off with a second well taken goal late on in the half to give us a full-time result of 3-1.
A great game won by a combination of great tackling, teamwork and running their socks off!! Well done all.

Our second match of the day was aginst St Marks Junior Dragons. Early in the first half the game was closely fought with plenty of midfield action. We went 1-0 down to a well taken goal in the top right hand corner that Jamie had no chance with.
The second half was again closely fought with Greg, Matt and Jack with plenty to do at the back Jamie was outstanding in goal and time after time kept us in the game with an excellent display of goalkeeping. Our front 3 of Dom, Sam and Harry were working their socks off up and down the pitch as well,and Harrys' work rate paid dividends as he charged down their goalies' kick and the ball ended up in the net to bring the scores level at 1-1. This really motivated the lads and they started piling on the pressure and some more great link up play by the forwards led to a goal by Sam. More of the same pressure carried on and paid off with a great goal by Dom after a goal mouth scramble which he finished off by nutmegging the keeper for a full time result of 3-1 again!
Another great result and the boys were rightly proud of themselves after a great start to the season with six points on the board and lying third in the league on goal difference.

Arsenal Stadium Tour

David, Sam, Liam, Greg, Cal and Henry all set out accompanied by Dave (David's Dad), Andy (Sam's Dad) and Aide (Liam's Dad) and were soon on the tube passing the Wembley Arch where Spurs would soon be lifting the Carling Cup (sorry Liam!). Liam and Cal were particularly brave sporting their Chelsea and Man U shirts! We were soon inside the magnificent stadium and were whisked up to the Directors' lounge and sitting in the Chairman's seats overlooking the pitch. Then down to the tunnel and the bench where Arsene Wenger conducts affairs. Liam found himself sat behind the subs bench and was reluctant to leave his seat when he found out David Beckham was positioned there only a couple of weeks before! Then the lads were off to the home dressing room and were sat on the pegs, home to world greats Adebayor, Gallas, Fabregas, Walcott and Eduardo (get well soon!). Visits to the press conference room and museum followed before heading back via McDonalds where Cal and David defied their small statures by eating their own weight in food. Dave would like to thank Andy and Aide for their help and the six lads for excellent behaviour, but having seen Cal's pictures we will be having a word with Matt!!!!