GTFC U14 Youth started off the league season with the long trip to Bird’s Barn to take on Kibworth Kestrels. The teams met in February when an injury time equaliser from Fin secured a 2-2 draw, so a close game was expected. GTFC travelled with a squad of 14; Dan, Sean and Max were all self-isolating, meaning that the CDM positions went to Harrison and Freddie, with Harry coming in at Left Back. Flynn made his debut on the right side of midfield, whilst fellow debutants Ryan and Rylee took positions on the bench alongside Fin, who was late (naughty Trev).

Kibworth kicked off down the hill and were soon on the attack. The Centre Forward Snarey and midfielder Willcocks looked particularly strong and a bit of confusion between Ted and Jack saw them win a corner. However, the defence stayed reasonably strong and Freddie and Harrison provided a very good shield for them, limiting Kibworth to long range shots, the best one from Willcocks, which Ted caught comfortably.

At the other end, Lewis had started brightly on the left wing and GTFC grew into the game, with Dylan’s passing range starting to cause Kibworth problems. The introduction of Fin after 20 minutes put more pressure on the Kestrels defence and the pace of Keerthan and Fin saw a couple of opportunities created but both went wide. A long range shot from Dylan also went wide, but on 31 minutes a ball from Dylan but Fin away and beat he the keeper from the right to give GTFC the lead. Three minutes later, Keerthan doubled the lead, his pace taking him away from the Kibworth defence to make it 2-0, Dylan again with the assist. It was apparent that the fitness work throughout the summer was paying dividends.

Half Time, 2-0 to GTFC.

GTFC kicked off the second half shooting down the hill, looking for the third goal that would seal the game. Kibworth looked to be chasing the game, with three players lining up in attack and again they started quite well, without forcing Ted into a save, as Jack, Zach and Harry stood firm at the back. Rylee came on at half time as the right sided CDM and made his physical presence felt as GTFC again started to dominate the midfield, with the combative Harrison and Dylan winning plenty of possession.

Dylan’s shooting ability was now testing the goal with a thunderous shot hitting the crossbar before three goals were scored in a five minute spell, Keerthan scoring in the 46th and 48th minutes to seal a hat trick, before Lewis set up Dylan for his first in the 50th minute.

The win was sealed with three late goals, Fin scoring in the 64th minute, Dylan adding his second on 66 minutes after Rylee won the ball in midfield and Fin completing his hat trick in the 67th minute, after Lewis’ shot from the left was partially saved by the shell shocked keeper.

Full Time, an 8-0 victory to GTFC, and a record win in the six years that the team has been together.

This was an almost perfect performance from the team, with Ted and his solid defence recording a clean sheet (Ted’s first in the league), all the debutants getting game time, commanding performances from the midfield and the attackers causing no end of problems for Kibworth with their pace. Sergeant Major Andy’s physical work during the summer has produced a team that won’t give up on any lost causes and will put any defence under pressure. From the coaches (and parents’) perspective, it was a brilliant game to watch. Well done all!

Our next match is away to Caterpillar, who beat us 5-1 last season in what was probably our worst performance of the season. The addition of four ex GTFC players to their squad has added an extra spice to the game and, after this result, the boys are all up for the challenge.