Brill United 5 - Crendon Corinthians 3 (H/T 4-0)

In front of our biggest crowd of the season, the U12’s positively raced out of the blocks against Crendon. This is what we talked about before the game and it was brilliant to see it come to fruition. Within a couple of minutes Gabe pounced after some miscommunication between their defender and keeper, skipping in to smash in our first goal. Shortly afterwards Gabe was through again on the right and hit a powerful shot to the near post that their keeper couldn’t stop. 2-0. After some great work in midfield by Jacob and Freddie, Gabe was put through once again, this time choosing to shoot from a bit further out, the ball sailing over the keeper and in to the back of the net. 3-0 and some excellent football being played by the whole team. On fire were the words used on the whatsapp group at the time, and they could not have been more apt. Soon after, Sid managed to get around the defender and poked the ball past the onrushing keeper to make it 4-0 before the travelling support had even finished their coffee. The first half ended 4-0 to Brill, which was no more than they deserved after an imposing 30 minutes and some fine football.

In the second half we took our foot off the gas somewhat and conceded an early goal to make it 4-1. Not to be deterred, the black and whites very soon afterwards raced down the field in a flowing move, Gabe playing a cross field ball to Harry in space down left who made no mistake with a fine finish. 5-1 to Brill.

More chances came and went for us but we couldn’t quite manage another goal, Ben unlucky not to notch his fifth goal of the season. Crendon were sharp in their pressing and added two quick fire goals of their own to make 5-3 to Brill. Henry pulled off a couple of great saves late on in the game to keep our two goal margin and that’s the way it finished. A good game played in good spirits, and some true resilience showed in the second half by the whole team, in particular our defenders. Well done all. Man of the match went to Jacob.

Brill 7 Marlow United Lions 1 (H/T 1-1)

Brill dominated possession in the first half but Marlow defended deep and well with tackles, blocks and saves galore on Brill efforts on goal. Despite our promptings from midfield, we could never quite put it together enough to score. Meanwhile Marlow occasionally posed a threat with breakaways, testing our relatively high back line with some good movement and through balls. This was how they managed to score part way in to the first half, when their striker was put through and was able to place the ball into the net beyond the advancing Henry.

Undeterred, Brill kept the pressure on and equalised towards the end of the half. Towards the end of the first half Ted was pushed off the ball just outside the box and and Gabe converted the free kick inside the left hand post. 1-1 at half time.

The second half was all Brill and their passing game came together. Soon after the restart, Harry scored a great individual goal by dribbling past Marlow defenders and beating the keeper. Shortly after, Gabe ran into the box near the byline from the right and was pulled back by his marker. A penalty was given and Gabe gave the keeper little chance with a powerful well placed kick.

Next, Gabe was put through in the inside right channel and blasted a shot that despite getting a hand to it, their keeper couldn’t stop flying into the net. Gabe’s hat-trick was complete with the score now at 4-1.

Marlow were struggling to find any rhythm and next came a delightful goal with a move from back to front. Arlo, under pressure, glanced up, saw Harry down the left wing and passed the ball to feet. Harry cut inside his marker and found Freddie in the middle, who turned and passed a super ball for Gabe to run onto from the right. Gabe skipped a challenge, ran to the byline, and found Ben unmarked in the centre who calmly side-footed the ball into the net. A great flowing move.

Ben then scored another two, each time with passes from Gabe, who was now torturing the left hand side of the Marlow defence, enabling Ben to get his hat-trick.

Everyone contributed and played their part, but star of the show and MOTM was Gabe with his hat-trick of goals and 3 assists.

You couldn’t have foreseen a 7-1 win at half-time. Despite the energy-sapping wet, long grass and some robust defending from Marlow, Brill’s football was a joy to watch. Well done boys.