04/11/2007 - Morwenstow v Merton

Very good conditions this morning, no wind, no rain and no sun!

After an hours travelling arrived at Merton to find 3 players short, down to 8, bit of a job for nine-a-side. Soon after Josh and Damon turned up 1 minute late, which seemed like a life time to coaches.

The game was started by us, and unbelievably within 30 seconds a goal had been scored! BY MERTON !! A lapse of concentration led to a mistake which gave them a well taken and well deserved goal.

Following this, the Merton goal was under constant pressure from the greens, only some brilliant defending by the goalkeeper kept Merton in the lead..

Eventually continued pressure from Morwenstow paid off and we were awarded with an own goal.

Second half -much the same until Connor took the lead with a glancing header from a corner. After this, Merton’s enthusiasm waned and a further 3 goals were scored (2 by Connor and 1 by Melv). Final result Morwenstow 5 Merton 1 .

The whole team showed great strength and determination in coming back so strongly after going a goal down.

We lost the following friendly 3-2.

21/10/2007 - Morwenstow v SAS Saints

Another early start and a long trip to Chivenor on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.

First half and the teams seemed evenly matched without much goalmouth action. Half time soon came around and with confidence growing our play improved in the second half with a goal from Ben following a goal mouth scramble. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of SAS as they lost a bit of shape and discipline, and conceded another goal finished by Aiden.

Overall the teams’ performance was excellent as we worked hard to breakdown a well organised SAS side.

14/10/2007 - Morwenstow v Holsworthy

This week was a league game against Holsworthy, one of our rivals from the previous year, with whom we had had some good battles.

Today was no exception with both teams denying the other any space or time on the ball.

The deadlock was broken by an excellent team goal from Holsworthy, with 2 passes down the left wing a decent cross and well finished side foot shot.

With the clock ticking quickly, we had a throw in the Holsworthy half which was taken quickly to Calvin Parnell who scored a very good individual goal by beating several defenders and coolly slotting it past the keeper. This was virtually the last kick of the game!!

07/10/2007 - Morwenstow v Bradworthy

Sunday 7th October at Bradworthy. Out main local derby. Last seasons league winners. This seasons table toppers, played 3 won 3.

With only 9 players available it made team selection easy.

With Connor Cann back from holiday and Damon Petit unavailable, the team was virtually the same.

First half ended scoreless with our lads having more of the play.

Second half kicked off and within 30 seconds+ we had got a shot on target.

Shortly after, Connor had a shot, Ben chased it down, the goalkeeper took his eye off the ball and it was 1-0. I will say, this was the only mistake made by a very confident keeper.

The team were buzzing when Connor ran down the left wing, beating a couple of players and smashing the ball into the top corner.

30/09/2007 - Morwenstow v Appledore

A week of sleepless nights, wondering how I could give the lads more confidence in their approach to the game.

Be calm, possibly rearrange the team and see what happens, being calm was a major factor in the performance that followed.

It was another home match performance, where the whole team played exceptionally well, with all players doing their best.

Goalkeeper Aaron Kendall had very little to do, but doing what he had to do right. The defence of Josh Sampson, George Lumley and Lewis Westlake were solid and stable. Midfield trio, Matt Jones, Calvin Parnell and Aiden Gill (who probably played his best game ever) worked hard, passing the ball around well. Up front, Ben Pengilly played with confidence, linking up with the midfielders and his strike partner, Jacob O’Leary in the first half, and Damon Petit in the second half, we also had Jamie Ham on the bench raring to get on.

The game was decided by a first half penalty which was converted by Ben Pen.

The friendly game that followed resulted in a win 7-2, with goals from Damon (2), Ben (2), Matt , Calvin and Aiden.

Thanks to Lewis for going in goal and giving Aaron a run outfield.

Big thanks to Jessie whose words of wisdom worked wonders and for running around in complete agony!!

Thanks to Jenks who refed the second part of the friendly.

23/09/2007 - Morwenstow v West Buckland School

This Sunday was our first away trip of the season, an hour’s drive to West Buckland School (east of Barnstaple).

We arrived in good time with plenty of time to warm up and prepare. Possibly too long.

Started with the same line up as last week and played okay for the first 5 mins or so, but slowly the whole team started to ease off. Then West Buckland scored from a corner, which was disappointing, as we had worked on this is training.

Carried on 2nd half with changes up front to no avail with 2 more goals being conceded. One being a fine individual goal but he should have been tackled about 4 times before he got his shot away.

Next goal was from yet another corner. But never mind as a manager I realised I had made some mistakes in training and team positions.

The boys enjoying some post match
refreshments in the school.

We then played a friendly against the weaker half of their squad, including half of their 1st team players, which was a completely different story, which we romped home victorious 5-0. I have probably learnt a big lesson today and hopefully can rebuild the boy’s confidence before we face Appledore at home next week.

16/09/2007 - Morwenstow v SAS Saints

Oh well, here we go, the start of another season of standing on wet cold pitches, watching our siblings chase a ball around without much clue on what was supposed to happen, apart from get the ball in the back of the net at the other end (hopefully!)

But how wrong was I, on a nice, warm, sunny Sunday morning, out marched the Under 11’s playing in their new format; 9-a-side on a ¾ sized pitch.

What happened next was a pleasure to watch, with our lads passing the ball around, moving into space and then receiving it again.

Our defence was rock solid with George Lumley, Ben Pengilly and Josh Sampson not letting anyone pass which meant goalie, Calvin Parnell having very little to do.

The midfield worked tirelessly with Connor Cann (captain), Matt Jones and Lewis Westlake keeping the visitors busy with their constant moving.

Up front, Aiden Gill and Aaron Kendall (with help from midfield) created numerous chances to score until Aaron finished well on the back post.

Part 2 saw some changes with Ben going in goal and Calvin (Melv) coming out field and the subs of Damon Petit and Jamie Ham coming on up front.

Goal number 2 was a rocket from the boot of Matt Jones, wide out on the edge of the area and whizzed passed the keeper into the top corner.

The goal we conceded was from bizarre defending, from a free kick (which will be worked on in training), although the goal was well finished, with a header just under the bar.

The 2-1 score line doesn’t really flatter us, but we should have score more!!

After this match, a friendly was played in which we won 4-0, with Connor scoring a hat trick, (2 from free kicks) and another by Aaron.

(Thanks to Gilly for the report)

01/09/2007 - Under 11's Fixtures

02/08/2007 - Under 11's - 2007/08

Following last season’s success (runners-up in both league and cup) in the Kingsley Youth League, they will be moving up from mini-soccer to play 9-a-side in the North Devon Youth League next season. This will be on a ¾ size pitch with ¾ size goals, and should help their transition to playing full 11-a-side football the following season.

02/08/2007 - 2007-08 General Juniors Update

Unfortunately, it is rare for Morwenstow’s youth teams to emulate the success of the senior teams. Quite simply there aren’t enough kids in the parish, at any particular age group, to sustain a challenge to our larger neighbours, primarily Bude and Holsworthy. Nevertheless, our excellent facilities, committed coaching staff and renowned community spirit, mean that we attract many children from neighbouring villages. Our philosophy is to provide a safe, healthy and friendly environment within which the children can play football and develop their skills. Winning is nice, and we do occasionally, but that is very much secondary to the kids enjoying themselves. We are proud to be an FA Charter Standard Club and fully endorse the FA’s Child Protection and Equality policies. Anyone wanting to find out more should phone the Youth Section Co-ordinator, Dave Salisbury, on 01288 331212, or contact him by e-mail on daveforce9{at}aol.com.