Under 12's lose to St Clements

The U12's lost 3-0 to Rochdale St Clements in a closer game than the score indicates.



On the full size pitch for the first time and playing against a really strong wind we were under pressure from the start. St Clements kept us in our half but the team stood firm to hold out against a wave of attacks for the first 15 minutes.

Callum did a solid job at right back and Sean & George had their hands full with a really impressive,big  quick centre forward. St Clements continued to spray the ball wide to their dangerman on the right wing who looked a great player. Ethan certainly had a hard task on his hands but stuck to his task, often without help from midfield. Aidan was on great formin  net & their strikers must have wonmdered if they'd ever score against him.



We dwelled on the ball too longin midfield, not letting our passes go quick enough but when we did let Jamie go he created some great counter attacks and should have scored a few against the run of play, but it just didn't happen. Right on the stroke of half time they scored with a shot from outside the area that took a bad divet but realistically it was what they deserved.



Disappointingly the lads were looking around at half time asking what went wrong, the fact is we struggled to train this summer with only 5 lads turning up every week & every friendly had to be cancelled due to short numbers, so we were paying the price for lack of match practise.



We started well in the second half but just could not find the net. For fifteen minutes we had them under pressure with Jamie, Alex Fletch & Josh all going close. Kyle, Morgan & Callum had plenty of space down the left but corner after corner the chances were coming & going. Keiran & osh came on and showed some nice touches but we couldn't get a clear shot at goal.



Against the run of play they scored on the break, 2-0 with 15 minutes left. We played with 4 up front but could just not get a goal, 5 minutes left all over, 3.0 a good cross and for the first time we stood and watched as 1 player beat 4 of ours to score.



This is not going to get easier lads, the attitude was not 100% in training last week & we are not going to turn after 3 months off & win without really working hard. The score line was flattering to St Clements & I'm convinced if we'd scored early on in the second half it would have been different.



Lets get back to putting in some effort in training and back ro your usual high standards. Train as you are going to play as next week against 3D's is going to be another tough one. Lets show them the real Celtic.