The 11th Grade - A Lesson for us all

The 11th Grade have done it hard this season, a new team with players coming from all over the place, including three new players to the club who have never played club football before. They had a 5 - 1 loss in their first game, a 6 - 0 loss in their second and an 11 - 0 hammering in the 3rd game. But never once did their heads go down, not once did Mike, (the coach), fail to pick out the positive things, not once did they all stop working hard at training or giving their all in games. Not once.

Two weeks ago I got to see them play, 3 - 1 down at half time they pulled their socks up, dug deep and kept the Medbury scoreless in the second and were unlucky not to score a couple or three themselves.

Last week they were 3 - 3 with Halswell right up until the last 5 minutes or so when a lucky, (or unlucky depending on your point of view), goal saw them go down 3 - 4. Mike was purring after this game, ringing the prises of the team to anybody and everybody, (well, mainly me but you get the picture).

Then came this weeks game and Coastal Spirit came a knocking, and were promptly sent home with their tail between their legs.

I got there about 5 minutes after kick off to see Kareem score a gaol and hear that they were already 2 nil up, (or it could have been three, not sure, the old memory plays up now and again). The 11th Grade had hit their straps, they had the bit between their teeth and they were not going to let Coastal Spirit off the hook, no way.

They played some great football, using the width of the pitch exceptionally well and to great effect. Their passing was awesome, the movement on and off the ball was superb, the work rate through the roof. The goals just coming, and coming, you could not ask for anymore. The whole team was great.

Coastal Spirit did have a moment or two, the goal I saw them score was a cracker, their striker, (their main attacking force, well their only attacking force in truth), got behind the United defense and streaked towards goal, he struck the ball hard and into the far corner of the net. A great strikers goal. And very well acknowledge by the United supporters. Their other highlight was their No7, the smallest player on the pitch she popped up every where, an excellent turn of speed, some great skills and a terrier at tackling, a pity she did not get the support from the rest of the team she deserved, by far their best player.

And talking of great goals, Kareem scored a sweet goal from a good 10 yards outside the box and Jack scored an awesome goal, running towards goal he rounded the defender like he was not there and calmly slammed the ball past the keeper. Jack got a hattrick, or was that four, (I am sure that Jack will let me know), and Kareem scored four, that I know for sure as he took great delight in telling me, several times, after the game.

Jack G was the Support/Effect player of the day and Ryan was the Player of the Day, but in my view they were all hero's, they all put in a massive effect. All the hard work had paid off in droves, and their smiles showed it, Mike was still grinning like a Cheshire Cat when he got to the Masters game in the afternoon, and I am quiet sure he is still grinning and will be for a good while yet.

The 11th Grade have showed us a great lesson, keep your heads up, work hard, never give up, believe in yourselves and you will get what you deserve.

A great, great, effect all round, well done to everybody involved with the team.