Saturday December 3rd

Monsters 3 – 0 Hailsham (Dan 2, Inigo),                 Monsters 1 – 1 Hailsham (William)

Mud everywhere, and some sickness afoot, meant the Monsters were depleted. So Dan stepped in to join 2 Olivers (‘Solly’ in goal, and ‘Bolly’ in defence), plus Charlie, Inigo and William. The new formation saw all the boys play their part. The star of the first half was Solly who made brave and vital saves. DJ and Ini linked well and Dan’s first goal gave a well deserved half time lead.

In the second half DJ showed his class with dribbling and intelligent passing. His second goal provided breathing room, but without another Solly save it could have been close. Then, (finally) Inigo scored his first ever goal, and William twice came close. 3-0 was a fair result.

The Monsters were sad to see Dan go to the Spitfires for the second match, but Joaquim came in to replace him, and Charlie went in goal, making it an all Oliver back line. This was a close and fiercely contested match. Ini might have put the Monsters ahead but was reluctant to use his left foot. Then the ball was given away too easily , and when it was thumped back in Charlie tried to stop it with feet not hands, and it was 1-0 to Hailsham.

In the second half Hailsham pressed and pressed. Olly B tackled everything that moved, and Joaquim worked tirelessly. Another Bolly clearance was flicked on by Joaquim and William broke clear from the half way line. He took the ball all the way to the edge of the box before thumping it home. His celebration was part Cantona, part Flintoff, all William! And now the boys had a draw to fight for. Under severe pressure everyone made blocks and tackles. Even so the ball finally fell to a Hailsham forward 6 yards out…..he smashed it, but Charlie got his body behind it for a brilliant save. He even made the coach feel guilty for denying him time to go and buy a snack at half-time

So, an unbeaten morning, great progress.

Saturday November 12th

Paddock Wood 4 – 0 Monsters,          Tenterden 2 – 1 Monsters (William)

A few squad changes today and a new formation. Oliver S in goal with Toby and Charlie at the back, William and Oliver B in midfield, supporting Inigo up front. And the boys played very well against bigger and more experienced opposition.

Against Paddock Wood it was 1-0 at half time, and pretty even, as everyone battled hard. Unfortunately an early second half goal saw heads drop and two more goals followed, one a penalty after William had removed both legs from under the Paddock Wood striker. Overall though it was clear there were signs of progress.

The second game was even tighter, with Tenterden ahead 1-0 at half time. This was despite great defending from Toby and Charley, fierce tackling from William and Oliver, and a number of breakaways by Ini. The second half saw relentless pressure from the Monsters, and it was rewarded when William thumped home a deserved equaliser. The Monsters threw everything forward seeking the win, and were tragically caught on the break right at the end.

There was much to be proud of, and plenty to build on in the coming weeks and months.

Saturday October 22nd

Rusthall 4 – 0 Monsters,   Crowborough 4 – 1 Monsters (William, pen)

Another sunny autumn day, as the Monsters travelled to Rusthall. Charles started in goal, with William and Charley defending, Xander and Ini in midfield, and Harrison up front.  Unfortunately the first half went awry. Charles almost stopped the first, had no chance with the second, and then Xander added a Rusthall third. Not Xander’s fault, as he fought hard despite a heavy cold. He almost pulled a goal back before half time, and in the second half William also came close, as the Monsters fought to the end against a much more experienced side.

Next came Crowborough. Playing uphill we gave goals away a little too generously, but again the second half saw a spirited fight. Ini and Charley attacked bravely, and won a penalty which William thumped home. Other goals nearly followed as William tackled everything that moved. His visit to the sin-bin only served to make him try harder when he came back. It finished 4-1, but was closer than the score suggests, and the Monsters will only improve with experience.

Saturday October 1st

Monsters 0 – 5 Wadhurst Gunners         Monsters 1- 0 Wadhurst Spurs     (William)

Glorious sunshine, and the Monsters looked great in their new kit. Charles kept goal valiantly, William defended well in the first half, helped by Luke, with Inigo and Xander attacking hard and making chances for Harrison. They were unlucky to go a goal behind, and then doubly unlucky when Xander’s amazing left foot volley from long range hit the goalkeeper in the face for an accidental save.

William had a Tevez moment at half time, so Tom came on at the back. Goals leaked as the boys tired in the sun. The midfield especially never gave up, but the deficit was too much to make up.

In game two the Monsters saw Oliver S come on in goal, and Harrison helped out at the back. A reignited William gave the Monsters the lead, and a second goal looked likely in a series of scrambles, but somehow it remained 1-0 at half time. Xander unselfishly played deep in the second half to protect the lead, Oliver was excellent in goal, and everyone tackled hard, and the boys thoroughly deserved their first ever win. A great day!

Saturday September 17th

Monsters 0-4 Tenterden, Monsters 1 -1 Paddock Wood  (Xander)

The Monsters started their under 7 careers today in a monsoon that was even worse than the rain they played in at the Langton Fiesta 4 months ago.  In their first game they started well, and Inigo very nearly gave them the lead. William cleared bravely off the line, Xander tackled hard, but two goals crept in before half time. More followed in the second half, and it all felt a bit soggy and disheartening.

Game two looked like it might go the same way as Paddock Wood took an early lead after we’d taken shelter from the storm. Heads could easily have dropped but Charlie, now on pitch with William in goal, defended stoutly, Inigo battled and tackled as hard as he could, Harrison dribbled well, and Xander banged in a deserved equaliser – the first ever goal for the Monsters – After that, William dealt with the attacks that came his way, and up the other end it was one goalmouth scramble after another, as the winning goal so nearly crept in.

Well done to everyone. Plenty to work on, but plenty to work with too.

Sunday June 5th 2011 Langton Green Fiesta

Mark the date. On this day a group of small boys, and one slightly larger one started their football careers.

Charlie, Jules, Xander, Daniel, William, Inigo, and Harrison and Max.

And in the rain and the wind they were magnificent. Against much bigger boys they never gave up, never stopped smiling. They scared some teams, and they even gained their first draw. They are still waiting for their first goal, having hit both posts, and missed a penalty.

Highlights of the day were brave goalkeeping by William and then Charley. On the pitch Jules and Xander kept tackling far bigger opponents with great courage. Inigo and Harrison dribbled with skill, Daniel passed with a wisdom usually found in older boys, and Max carried the team on his shoulders.

The parents cheered like crazy people, the boys never stopped running, and a team was born. Wait till next September’s exciting episode!