STEVE FARR WESTWOOD WANDERERS DEVELOPMENT

STEVES MAY NEWS

Weekend Report 16th / 17th

Sorry the web page has not been updated lately as I have been busy sorting out other things.

On Saturday we were entered into the Whiteknights tournament in Woodley , We met up about 13.30 all the boys looked smart in the new kit and rain coats ( which were needed later in the day ) , we signed in then made our way to the pitch our first game was against Caversham who we played during the season at the dome but this time we held our own in an even game , Our second game was against Eldon Celtic which gave us a pleasing result with two good goals being scored by us , We then came up against South Reading and we came out of this one with another good result,. Our fourth game was against Whithknights B team we took our foot of the pedal a little in this one I think it had something too do with the hour gap between games but we never lost , our last game was against Woodley Saints Tigers , we didn't do as well as we would of hoped in this one but for our first tournament I would like to think we held our own and can improve on the next one

The main thing was seeing the smiles on the faces of the boys and the parents when the medals were given out , It makes it all worthwhile even in the rain !!!!

The team for the tournament were Ben ( GK ) Henry J , Mackenzie , Henry P , Sam D , Sam H , Archie & Austyn

Well done boys you made me a happy Manager with your effort keep it up

STEVES APRIL NEWS

WEEKEND REPORT 11TH / 12TH APRIL

Training was cancelled on Saturday as over half the team were away for Easter .

Sunday was business as usual at the dome where we had a game against South Reading Vixens , Like most games at the dome we always seem to get off to a good start and then after half time when we are in a good position we seem to take the foot of the gas and struggle to hold on to what we have , Its something to work on for next season . Robert was in goal for the day and is starting to turn into a good keeper (even though his dad thinks he is a defender ) we can work on both !!! , The only thing that puzzles me is all the talking they do on the training pitch and before games yet can't carry it into the game itself so something else to work on , We had an assortment of players scoring today and I could not keep count of how many certain players scored . Thanks to Lauren Bullock and Matthew for making guest appearances this week as we were down to the bare bones in players . And well done to Austyn for getting the dome player of the week , He played in a slightly different position this week just behind Lauren up front and seemed a lot more comfortable with more time on the ball so well done keep it up.

The team this week was Robert ( GK ) , Mackenzie , Henry P , Austyn , Max , Emerson, Lauren & Matthew.

WEEKEND REPORT 4TH / 5TH APRIL

Well we had good a good training session on Saturday, we had our usual warm up routine then split the boys up into three teams which is easier said then done because they all want to be with their mates, but once that was done we got done to doing a couple of close control sessions , then trough the gate which the boys always enjoy .

We then practised legal throws and control of the ball which needs a bit more fine tuning !!! .

we then had two teams for a game of mini ball which involved throw and catch rather than feet but it gets the boys used to position and movement off the ball , at the end we had our usual 30 minute game I can't remember who one , but its the taking part not the winning when its just for fun.

Well done to Archie for getting this weeks training player of the week award, I was pleased to see him pay attention and play the team game this week as sometimes he goes off into a different world but this week he was on planet Westwood.

On Sunday we played against Eldon Celtic at the dome , I thought we had a good game although the score showed a different story we had more chances we just couldn't find a way through a solid defence , they only had three shots on our goal which unavoidably went in , we still battled on until the final whistle which is always a sign of a good team . Well done to Henry P for dome man of the match , he just never stops for the whole 30 minutes he is a real team player .

The team this week was Jack ( GK ) Sam, Mackenzie, Austyn, Henry j, Henry P, Emerson, Archie & Robert ,

STEVES MARCH NEWS

WEEKEND REPORT 14th / 15th MARCH

We only had training this week , It was another nice morning the boys were all raring to go after the game at the dome the week before in which we had a good result , We started with a gentle warm up jog accept for Austyn who has to race around at 100 mph no matter what he is doing,

As usual we then had a couple of skill games some of which are new to me and the boys they all seem to enjoy the new version of through the gate once they got the hang of it , we then had our 15 min each way game which went a bit one sided so I wont let that happen again ( sorry green team )

well done to Jack for getting the training player of the week award again , He just wants to give 100 % no matter what position he plays, also as he is one of the youngest players he shows the older ones who's boss with the orders in the game at the end , I think he is a future John Terry so well done keep it up.

WEEKEND REPORT 21st/22nd MARCH

Only training again this week but I threw a surprise on the boys by arranging a friendly game against a Purley Jubilee under 8 team that has only recently started up more on that later, I went a little lighter on the boys in training as I didn't want to wear them out for the game , Also its a welcome to Sam Harlowe who has decided to give us a try, Lucky for him he knows most of the boys from school so it helped him settle in pretty quick .

We had a game today with the mini football which the boys are getting used to now only problem today was no matter how many times the red team tried to score it always hit a bobble and bounced over the arch, better luck next time.

As I said earlier we had a game against Purley as we don't have a game at the dome until the 5th of April and we started off very well with Austyn scoring early on and it was mostly one way traffic in the first half , I don't know what Purley's manager said to them at half time but to their credit the played very well in the second half , I think my boys also thought the game was already won so took their foot of the gas a little bit ( I wont let that happen again ) you have been warned , but we just managed to get a win.

Thanks to Dave and his assistant for giving us a game also to Simon for being the ref, He just wanted to use his whistle I think as he has had it in storage since September waiting until he could try it out ,

I could not give out the training award this week as all the boys were fantastic today and it wasn't fair to pick one out as they all deserved a big pat on the back , Don't forget weekend off next weekend as I am taking my wife out for a romantic day ( not told her its to see England at Wembley yet ) see you in a couple of weeks

WEEKEND REPORT 7TH / 8TH MAR

Well we were lucky with the weather again so that we could have another training session on Saturday morning , it was a new experience for the boys today what with the new warm up session and a couple of new drills,

The boys seemed to enjoy it hopefully there will be a few more to come , Well done this week to Henry P for getting training player of the week it is great to see the improvement in him week after week and is always giving 100 % , A quick mention to Thomas for getting the dome man of the match award for last week Simon forgot to mention it in his report last week so as a punishment he can do 20 star jumps in front of all the boys on Saturday.

Hope to see you all next sat 10.30 @ Cotswold weather permitting , Don't forget no game at dome this week next game is 29th march @11.00 but I will check to see if its on because of the half marathon.

WESTWOOD COLTS v SOUTH READING VIXENS

Another good team performance.

Thanks to Sam and Robert for volunteering to do a half each in goal. Both made some good saves and cleared their lines well with big kicks. For the older spectators, Robert gave us a Gary Sprake moment to remember with fondness.

Vixens took an early lead, but the boys quickly re-grouped and with Archie leading the line well, we started scoring goals. In fact I had to check to see what the score was at half time.

In the second half Henry P, Archie and Mackenzie linked up well with some good passing and Tom and Henry J were solid at the back. The boys had clearly been watching the earlier Caversham and Eldon game closely, as they had even devised their own short corner routine.

Archie scored the best goal of the game, following Mack's run and cross down the right wing. He timed his run into the box to perfection and volleyed home from close range.

Sam did an excellent marking job on the Vixens best player and but for some excellent goalkeeping from the opposition we could have scored more goals.

Everybody's attitude was spot on, long may that continue

Henry P was man of the match.

Goals, Henry P (3), Archie and Mack 2 each.

STEVES FEBRUARY NEWS

WEEKEND REPORT 28TH FEB / 1ST MARCH

Training as usual on Saturday all the boys were as keen as ever even though one or two arrived late !!! , Alfie's dad is going to have to do star jumps if it happens again as he admitted it was his fault not Alfie's.

Like most week I had set out my training schedule but got carried away in other skills that we never got through them all , But all the boys seemed to enjoy what we managed to get done so that's the main thing ,

The game this week was hard going for the red team and I don't think myself going on there team really helped , The funny thing in training is that everybody wants to have a go in goal now .

Well done to Jack for getting the player of the week award , For one of the younger players he is never scared to have a go and deserves the award .

As most of you are aware I am on a course for the next three weeks on Sundays so I have handed control of the dome team over to Simon , The good thing is he has to do the report as well

As is traditional against Kennet Valley we conceded a goal in the first 30 seconds!

After that the defence, Tom, Robert and Max, held firm and Mackenzie only had to make one save of note in the first half. Henry P dominated middle and put in an excellent all round performance.

We equalized via our patented Route one method; long kick by Mackenzie, good control by Austyn and an excellent finish to make it 1-1.

At half time, Robert took over between the posts. In the second half the KV goal led a charmed life as the boys followed their instructions to get in lots of shots. Henry P, Austyn and Archie all going close. In the end Mackenzie made it 2-1 with a goal from all of six inches, following up on a shot that had been pushed onto the post.

KV equalised following a mass scramble at a corner with a minute to go.

This was our best performance to date, with the team holding their positions well and there were several instances of deliberate passing!.

The only person who has a 'mare was the Manager who totally lost the plot when it came to the substitions. Apologies all round.

Final score 2-2.

Team for dome was Robert , Henry p , Mackenzie , Thomas , Austyn , Max , Archie , Sam & Emerson

Weekend report Feb 21/22

Well its nice to finally get a couple of training sessions in a row , it was a lovely morning so nice I even showed off my legs !!!

We tried some new games in training on Saturday which all the boys seemed to enjoy playing , we also trained on the mistakes we made in the dome last Sunday and all the boys seem to understand what we are trying to do now.

After the skills we had our usual 6 or so aside game which is also close , I also join in and the boys find it funny when they give me a little kick here and there ( just remember the star jump punishment !!!)

Well done this week to Alfie Warren for getting the training player of the week award I am really pleased for him because he has only been with us a couple of months and listens to what he has to do and gets on with it with no questions ( other boys take note ).

In our game at the dome this week we played Eldon Celtic 2 , it was a very good first half with Austyn and Mackenzie getting on the score sheet , all the boys gave 100 % and worked for each other then after half time Eldon came back at us and made it 3 -3 before the dynamic duo of Austyn and Mackenzie got another 4 goals between them.

Well done to Robert who was fantastic in goal this week and his long kick up field set Austin up for one of his goals, we ended up winning the game 7-4 so well done to all the boys and lets try and keep it going.

Mackenzie was man of the match for us this week he managed four goals and even had a spell on the subs bench so well done to him .

This weeks team was Austin , Archie , Emerson, Henry J , Henry P, Mackenzie, Robert ( capt) , Sam & Thomas .

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Weekend report FEB 14/15

It was good to finally have a training session on Saturday as the weather was against us the last couple of weeks , the boys worked hard and we tried to work on the errors we made at the dome last week, we also had a couple of new boys for the day Sam & Tom who did well considering it was their first time, especially Tom who went in goal for the game at the end.

Well done also to Archie who got player of the week in training. He gave his all this week, hopefully it was because I had to have a little word with him last week !!!

On Sunday we played Eldon Celtic 1 at the dome and we went down 3-1 but the score line didn't reflect the game as we made too many errors in the first half and when we came out for the second half we looked like a

completely different team

Our goal was scored from Austyn from long range which was pleasing to see also as he was feeling sick the day before but was determined to play on Sunday . I think he must like playing for the manager & the team.

Well done to both Henry Paxford and Emerson for getting man of the match awards. They both went for every ball throughout the game so it was hard to separate them so I gave a medal each. Also thanks to Mackenzie for going in goal for the game and for future games and as a reward I have made him captain so he can give the orders out to his men in front of him. I know it is hard for him because he likes to be involved in everything on the pitch.

The team this week was Mackenzie , Henry j , Henry p ,Thomas , Robert , Archie , Austyn & Emerson

Our next game is against Eldon Celtic 2 on the 22nd. Kick off is 11.00am so a lay in for the parents. Training sat @10.30 at Cotswold.

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Well yet again the weather was against us on Saturday we could not train it was a bit to cold for the boys and it showed in our game on Sunday at the dome , We looked very rusty on Sunday when we played Caversham and we lost the game 4 -0 . The boys had some good spells but in the end the other team looked very organised , Sam went in goal in the first half and did very well and had no chance for the goals .

I just wish the boys would use there mouths as much in the game as they do when messing about before it !!!!

In the second half Max went in goal and considering it was the first time he had played in the dome it was very pleasing to see he had very few nerves and did what was asked of him, after the game we had a little chat with the boys and have decided that no matter what the weather training will be on Saturday ( sorry parents ) . Just to get back up to the level we had before the bad weather stopped play.

Even though we lost the game a couple of players really stood out and it was good to see Henry Jalland get the man of the match medal following on from his training trophy the other week it is good to see the improvement.

We have another game next Sunday at 10.45 against Eldon Celtic so if any body wants to cheer us on come on down.

The team for Sundays game was Sam, Henry J, Henry P, Max, Mackenzie, Emerson, Thomas & Archie.

Some more birthdays this month Emerson on the 11th & Henry Paxford on the 13th ,so don't forget the cake for me and Simon at training on Saturday.

STEVES JANUARY NEWS

Weekend report from Jan 24th/25th

We just had a training session this week as no games at the dome until 8th Feb. , Another good session by the boys on Saturday the weather was freezing but all the boys got on with the skills well but it started to take its toll during the game so we ended it early much to the parents relief !!! .

All the boys are starting to show commitment and passion and all round team play which is what we want to see so well done.

Also well done to Henry Jalland for getting the player of the week award.

Training was cancelled on sat 31st as I was away also on the Sunday because of the cold weather so see you all on 7th Feb. @ Cotswold 10.30 sharp

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Weekend report from JAN 18th/19th

After another good training session on Saturday morning the boys are getting better each week ,

After the warm up we had a go at shooting practice. Ben Lewis was in goal and took a shot straight to his face which resulted in losing a tooth . His mum wasn't there to see it but he couldn't wait to tell her when she picked him up, also for the tooth fairy to visit him that night.

Well done to Sam Dunsmore on picking up the training player of the week he has been getting better and better as each week passes.

On Sunday we had another game at the dome where we played South Reading Vixens. The boys were happy to have Westwood shirts this week even if they did look like dresses on them , they will grow into them. We got off to a flying start and were 4 – 0 up at half time thanks to goals from Austyn and Archie. We had a bit of a change round at half time and south reading came back into it but Austyn and Archie had a couple more goals and we ran out 7 -4 winners. A big well done to all the boys. It was a good team effort with everybody doing the job I asked of them.

Myself and Simon could not pick just one man of the match so Austyn and Archie received a medal each , also well done to Mackenzie on his goalkeeping in the first half apparently he was practising in his lounge all week in preparation !!! Look in the reading chronicle this week as the team had there photo taken.

Sundays team was Austyn, Archie, Mackenzie, Samuel, Matthew, Thomas, Robert and Henry J.

The next game will be on sun 8th of Feb kick off is 11.00 so please be there at 10.45.

One final thing HAPPY BIRTHDAYS this month to Ben Atkins , Archie Coles and Max Dykes. Hope you have good days and bring me in a piece of cake .

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Welcome back to all the players and parents to what will hopefully be an exciting year for the team , New for 2009 is the chance to play Sunday mornings at the Madejski stadium dome in a non competitive league except the boys don't see it that way ( good for them ) also training is still on Saturday mornings @ the Cotswold park starting at 10.30 sharp . New rule for 2009 is that if parents are late in bringing the kids they will have to run around the pitch as a punishment !!!

As you know we are looking for shirt sponsors for the boys also we are going to try and get jackets if you can help with this please could you contact me via email use the link via the web site

The training player of the week trophy is still up for grabs on Saturdays with all the boys giving good performances each week it is hard for myself and Simon to chose a player which is what we want to see each week

We will this year try and do some fund raising events e.g. discos etc to try and raise funds for the team so if you have any ideas email me and we will see what we can sort out.

On Sunday the 11th Jan we had our first game at the dome and the boys that played very well in a close game they just needed to use their voices a bit more on the pitch rather than before the game when I am trying to give out instructions but we will work on that it was hard to chose a man of the match but in the end we chose Robert as he went in goal in the first half and then was all over the pitch in the second half trying to win every ball ( not bad for a player that didn't want to play at the start of the season ! ) but all the boys gave me 100 % which is all I ask so well done to you all

Sorry if the texts were confusing while trying to sort out for the game on the 11th but I am new to all this so I wasn't sure myself but it should sort itself out now , if you are unavailable please could you let me know asap so I can contact players for the Sunday game as we have 15 players and only 9 places so I need to change it around each week to make it fair on each player

Thanks to the boys for helping me out at training as this is the first time I have tried anything like this

Keep an eye on the web site each week for match reports from our dome games

You can view the fixtures by going on www.the fa.com/fulltime then go on South Chiltern Minor League U7 or click on the link above.

thanks

Steve