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End of Season Report Card
THEY THINK ITS ALL
OVER ... IT IS NOW!!
This morning saw the
BLUES play their last ever ESSDA Soccer 7's match - a cracking comeback to win 3-2 against Loanhead Whites - in what has been a very good and most enjoyable 2007/08 season.
As a wee reminder, the results from the
first half of the season were:-
GAMES PLAYED 12: WON 5; LOST 6; DRAWN 1
GOALS: FOR 43 AGAINST 43
At the time,
BLUES were an average Pele side (Blackburn/West Ham in Premiership standings) with the potential to become a top end team (Liverpool/Everton/Villa). As a result, we started them back training (very) soon after
Xmas and crammed as many 'friendly' fixtures in as possible. Training, I know was tough and the fixtures were 'full on' but the benefits for the
second half of the season are clear to see:-
GAMES PLAYED 13: WON 8; LOST 2: DRAWN 3
GOALS: FOR 54 AGAINST 26
Quite simply
BLUES were fantastic! They have always had skill, but during the second half of the season their fitness levels were superb and from somewhere they managed to introduce a 'never say die' attitude - a real team bond - into their game. Who could forget the last minute winner over Spartans (6-5); the last minute equaliser against a very good Tranent side (2-2) or the injury time strike against Hutchie Vale Colts to a shout of "not from there Harry!!" to earn a share of the points
(4-4). The football at times was awesome - great passing, great movement plus loads of 'dig' - with games against Edina (4-0), Leith Blacks (8-1) and Currie (5-0)
particularly strong performances. WELL DONE - MIKEY, CAMPBELL, SAM, HARRY, MURRAY, TOM, SHAUN, FINLAY, ALEXANDER.
Looking back, it seems like only yesterday (4years ago!!) that we set up the Spots & Dots, training at Myreside on Thursday evenings through the summer. Back then we wanted to let the lads play football in a safe and friendly environment and as a result we joined ESSDA 7's as AC OXGANGS. Doug Reilly and the ACO Committee have been very supportive throughout this time (as they are for all ACO age groups) so it's a BIG THANKS to DOUG and THE COMMITTEE for giving
BLUES the opportunity to
play organised football.
I still remember the boys first ever game at Under 8 in a 7-7 thriller away to Hutchie Vale - yes, even then they were entertainment value! However, as the curtain
comes down on BLUES Soccer 7's adventure, so a new one starts with 11's and whilst there are debates 'for and against' this transition at Under 12, the fact
BLUES peer group are making the switch, forces my hand. I would however like to wish 2
BLUES stalwarts - ALEXANDER and MIKEY - all the best as they continue
their Soccer
development at Under 13. GUYS YOU WILL BE MISSED!
None of this would have been possible without YOUR fantastic support. Special thanks goes to
BLUES coaches, BESTY, DAVE E, MARTIN and in particular ANDY for their help at training and on matchdays. However as PARENTS, you have ensured the guys turned up for matches on time (mostly!!), were at training sharp (usually!!), had the right playing kit on (sometimes!!) and ALWAYS gave great encouragement to all the boys from the touchline through 'thick and thin'. MANY THANKS.
Personally, it's been a 'blast' and I am now looking forward to the challenges of 11 a-side football and watching the players develop even further both individually and
as a new team. It won't be long 'til 08/09 pre-season training starts (mid/late July) and all my
emails and texts start over again (oh no I hear you say!!) so enjoy the summer break!
Once again THANKS for all your support.
Peter
Philp
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SFA
Qualified Coach :
Qualified 1st Aider
