Hereford FCs U18s opening their 2015/16 pre season campaign with a
thumping 7-0 victory away at Tuffley Rovers FC. The game was moved to a
local council pitch with the home side experiencing problems with their pitch and the surface was far from perfect
for slick passing football.
Here's a report written by manager Steve Brotherwood
Today was all about getting minutes into the boys legs and the result
was irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. The boys have worked hard
over the past two weeks during training and myself and Jonny Evans have
been pleasantly surprised with how fit the
boys have looked since day one and it was nice to finish week two with a
game.
U16 GK Max Harris made his full debut in goal and fellow U16 Dan Pugh
also made his debut at Left Back. Jay Richmond and Ethan Clarke
continued the solid partnership at centre back that they created with
the U16s last year and Lewis Clarke, another of last
years U16s began at Right Back.
Second years Lewis Fletcher, Robbie Trumper and Carlos Moreira made up
our midfield trio with Sam Oxley and Matt MacDonald the wide players of
our front three that was spearheaded by Tom Gameson.
We dominated from the first whistle and were ahead as early as the 8th
minute when - a quick interchange between MacDonald and Moreira put the
ball on a plate for Tom Gameson who slotted home from inside the 6 yard.
Four minutes later MacDonald doubled the
advantage before the lively Oxley made it three on 18 minutes.
Gameson made it four on 35 minutes before some handbags and a scuffle in
the centre circle resulted in Moreira being withdrew with concussion
and the Tuffley number 10 rightly receiving his marching orders.
We rung the changes at half time and introduced Harvey Harris, Sam
Muirhead, Callum Maddy and U16 Tom Nunn. Second year Goalkeeper Ben Pugh
played the last half an hour replacing the never worked Max Harris.
MacDonald added his second and our 5th on the game 23 mins into the
second half before a quick fire double from Sam Oxley completed a well
deserved hat trick to finish the game with seven goals to none in our
favour.
The most pleasing thing about today was that we learnt a lot about the
boys characters. Tuffley were aggressive, at times too aggressive, and
we're determined that our boys were going to leave Gloucestershire with
more than a few bumps and bruises. The boys stuck
together and dug deep at times when things become difficult under
extreme provocation from many of the home players and that will help
them as the season goes on.
We have set ourselves tough challenges for the season ahead and where we
want to be as a team come May 2016. We face difficult opening games in
the MYFL against last seasons winners Gloucester City and runners up
Worcester City, as well as a tough tie away
at Dudley Sports in the FA Youth Cup. They are realistic but
challenging and as a unit of staff and players we feel we can achieve
them.
Individually the boys all have different targets and aspirations for the
season ahead but their all share one common goal. For many of the
second years, their target is to be in the first team managers thoughts
at some point during the season but to do that
they need to be at their best for a consistent period of time. For many
of the first years, their targets are to establish themselves in the
team and become a regular in the starting eleven.
The common goal that they all share is to do their best for Hereford FC
and the badge. The boys proudly wore the new Hereford FC kit for the
first time in today's game and they now have a club to be part of and to
represent.