Droitwich unbeaten for Second Worcestershire Tournament

Droitwich Spa under 13s entered their last tournament of 2014 looking to build on their previous tournament in November in which they went unbeaten.

This December tournament showed how much the group has grown as a team and individually and become match streetwise.

Today tournament saw Droitwich paired with Bromsgrove A and B and Kings Heath Pickwick.

Droitwich first match saw the team play Bromsgrove B and come away with a 2-1 success. Droitwich first goal came about from George Hutchocks who scored at the back stick after a well worked Penalty Corner routine.

John Phillips predatory instincts meant he coolly slotted the ball home after being put through by Fernando Prendilville guile.

What was the difference in this game was Droitwich application and work rate, as they took a higher defensive line allowing the midfielders to harass and use their pace to it teams on the break and get numbers up in attack Bromsgrove pulled a goal back after some good approach play.

This game showed Spa slick passing and movement back up by their workrate.

Spa second game they entertained Kings Heath Pickwick and drew 1-1. Kings had a player who was marked out of the game by Sam Radford who did not allow them to pass.

Droitwich hit the front from John Phillips skill and shot was slotted the ball across the Keeper. Droitwich kept trying to extend their advantage but Kings Heath equalised. Kings kept pushing for the equaliser but were kept out by Matthew Whiteside whose smothering saves snuffed out any threat.

This game proved that when the players were tiring they still worked for each other and trusted each others skill level.

Droitwich kept up their attacking threat in their final game against Bromsgrove A which they won 3-1. Droitwich opened up the scoring once more from a breakaway goal which was supplied by strike partner Fernando Prendiville early on.

Droitwich doubled their advantage after excellent interplay led to Fernando to score his first of the day with a neatly slotted effort. Inbetween times, Issie Trickett whose defensive work was excellent an d Matthew Whiteside who made saves on in particular stood out as he was going one way the ball the other checked and stopped the ball with his kicker to keep the ‘grove out. But Bromsgrove skillfull players kept attacking and had little luck in front of goal.

Sam Radford got a deserved goal after Droitwich pressurised Bromsgrove and he put the ball away after Bromsgrove could not clear their lines.

This match was an excellent example of Spa team work; despite Bromsgrove A having the more skillfull players but they did not play as a team and the home side were able to hit Bromsgrove on the break.

This was an excellent team effort with attack midfielder and defence all played well, have a good Christmas!

This meant that in the last two tournaments, Droitwich have played 6 matches winning 5 and drawing one, scoring 11 goals and conceding 4 goals.

The next tournament is in 2015, and it looks promising for this age group.