Under 12 Select

Lancing Rangers Under 12 Select Report.
Date: 6th September 2009
Versus: Rustington Otters
Squad: George (GK), Tony, Alex, Ethan, Josh, Ben, Max (defence) Jake, Shaun, Callum, Ben M, Thomas (midfield) Robbie, Jordan, (strikers)

1st half
The first match of the season and the boys were up against Rustington Otters. Rangers made a convincing start but Rustington managed to gain the lead after only a few short minutes. With rangers heads held high they made defiant attempts to win the ball and equalise. Great defending by Tony, Ethan and Alex ensured that the ball was available for the midfielders Ben and Callum. After a few scrappy shots on target the goal came thanks to new boy Jordan. George as always made some great saves, Captain Shaun made some cracking runs and there was some good recovery work by Jake. A great through ball for Ben, who placed it in the back of the net; 2-1Rangers. Play went back and forth in this very tense match and a further 3 goals were scored, 2 by Rustington and another for Rangers, by Jake (on the 3rd attempt)! 3-3 at half time

2nd Half
Just like the first half, Rustington scored early, giving them a 4-3 lead. A twenty yard free kick from Shaun just missed the near post. Then a corner ball for Rustington was pushed out by George and kicked out and cleared by Jake. Taken down the pitch by Josh who passes it to Thomas, then to Robbie and a shot by Ben is deflected by the goalie. Another shot make by Jake again, is finally in the back of the net care of Jordan (4-4). With Robbie getting the final goal for Lancing Rangers, a 5-4 win was a great start for the boys and a fantastic debut for our three new players, Jordan, Max and Robbie.

MOM: Jordan.

Final score 5-4

Lancing Rangers Under 12 Select Report.
Date: 20th September 2009
Versus: High down Saints
Squad: George (GK), Tony, Alex, Ethan, Josh, Ben, Max (defence) Jake, Shaun, Callum, Ben M, Thomas (midfield) Robbie, Jordan, (strikers)

1st half
The match against High down was very much in two halves. The first half saw some of the team half heartedly trying to play football. When they had the ball they were just kicking it away rather than applying their skills and techniques practised week after week during training. They came off the pitch at half time 2-1 up courtesy of a cracking goal scored by Ben and a header from Robbie. But coach Steve was not impressed and felt they were lucky to be ahead. He gave one of his infamous stern half time talks and the team went back on the pitch keen to do better.

2nd Half
The Rangers put High down under pressure from the off. There was a good early strike from Shaun and great defending by Tony and his team of defence (Max, Alex, Ethan and Callum). A throw in by Jake to Josh was taken up the pitch and our third goal scored courtesy of Jake. Minutes later a corner ball found its way to Jordan and the Rangers were 4-1 up. Lancing seemed to dominate the half and we could all see the improvement. Another chance for us, which Robbie took but Jordan, finished off, giving Rangers 5-1 lead. Manager Pete decided to ensure everyone had a good game today, so effectively substituted the players fairly. The last 5 minutes saw another 2 goals scored by Jordan, making his total 4 just in this game!

Final score 7-2

MOM: Max

Lancing Rangers Under 12 Select Report.
Date:11th October 2009
Versus: Middleton Diamonds
Squad: George (GK), Tony, Callum, Ethan, James, Ben, Max,Thomas (defence) Jake, Shaun, Alex, Ben M, (midfield) Robbie, Jordan, (strikers)

1st half
It would seem that this seasons matches are played in two halves and today’s, was certainly no exception. During the first half the boys were playing up hill and against the wind and they struggled. They played well but Middleton were always one step ahead. Within minutes Rangers were a goal down and a little despondent. The whole team seemed unable to cope with the game and were put under immense pressure. Despite great defending by James, Tony, Alex, Ben spike, Callum and Max, another goal was scored, making the half time score 2-0. The half time talk was a positive one, which lifted the boys’ spirits a little.

2nd Half
They stepped out for the second half a different team. The pressure was now placed in Middleton’s defence and there were shots on and off target made by Ethan, Ben, Jordan and Robbie. A great sequence of passes started with Thomas passing it wide to Jake, who in turn knocked it back into mid-field to Shaun who played it out to Ethan, forward to Jordan and a great shot went wide. Shaun finally got the Rangers their first goal and it was only then that the boys began to believe in themselves. There were a number of corner balls taken valiantly by Ethan and a number of shots made until finally another great goal from Jake equalling the game at 2-2 with approximately 20 minutes to go. Play was still dominant in Middleton’s defence and the goal keeper made a couple of good saves before Jordan, our new little striker got the winning goal, finishing the tense game 3-2 to the Rangers giving them the well deserved 3 points and ensuring they, for now remain at the top of the table!

MOM: Shaun

Lancing Rangers Under 12 Select Report.
Date: 25th October 2009
Versus: Chichester Colts
Squad: George (GK), Tony, Callum, Ethan, James, Josh, Thomas (defence) Jake, Shaun, Ben M, Max (midfield) Alex, Jordan, (strikers)

1st Half
Today’s cup match draw was against Chichester Colts, who the boys had a previous away victory over. Almost within seconds due to lack of concentration, they were 1-0 down, and not playing their usual football but panicking with the ball, which contributed to simple errors. There were some good runs on the wing made by Ben and a shot by Alex was saved. Corner balls taken by Ethan, were then snatched by Chichester’s defence and taken out of the danger zones, and down to our defence. A corner for Chichester was headed out well by Tony, up to Callum who passed to Max and then to Jordan who was unfortunately off side.

2nd Half
The second half started slow until the ball found Jake in Chichester’s defence. He made a run down the wing to the penalty area and crossed it through to Alex and Jordan. The ball then came out again to Jake who took a shot and scored. With renewed confidence, the whole team seemed to play better. There were some good football by Thomas and Josh and some great defending by the determined James. Chichester was awarded a penalty for a handball by Ben and a great save was made by George, which kept the score at 1-1. Minutes later a free kick, 25 yards from the goal, was awarded to the Rangers which was taken by Shaun, but the ball went wide. In the last few minutes of the match, the Rangers seemed determined to get a winning goal, which they did courtesy of Ben making the final score 2-1.

MOM: George