Central United 1 v 1 Brixington Blues

We were by far the better team yesterday and created enough chances to win the game comfortably but unfortunately we didn't get that little bit of luck we deserved, especially as we played much better than last week when we won by 3 goals. I think that it was just one of those days!!!

We started brightly this time dominating play and going close on a few occasions but a long Brixington free kick over the top caught us out and with their first chance on goal we found ourselves a behind.  It was all one way traffic after their goal with so many near misses but the score remained 0-1 at the break.  

It was a similar story in the second half until Francis blasted an excellent shot on the turn into the top corner.  At this point I thought there was only going to be one winner but unfortunately the second goal just didn't come and time ran out.  

So.....unlucky lads for not getting our third win in a row but well done for earning us a valuable point against a team that were in Division 1 last season and another bonus is that we still remain undefeated this season!.

Man of the Match goes to Francis, not just for his superb goal but for being at the heart of a lot of our attacking play and for working his socks off - well done Francis!

If anyones missing a Central jacket then I have it so remember to ask for me it next time I see you.  

There is no training on Monday i'm afraid, as I start my level 1 coaching course and also there's a meeting at Isca School for those going on the Bude trip in October.  

Snack bar

I'm pleased to say that we don't need to man the changing rooms at all this season as the club have put money aside to cover this job but we do still have to run the snack bar a couple of times, the first date being 25th October when we are home to Colyton Redsocks. 

I'm looking for a couple of volunteers to help Anne with this, so please let me know if you can help.

Many thanks.

Central United v Brixington Blues

Saturday's game is against Brixington Blues at KGV.  Please be there 10am for the usual 10.30am KO. 

Players resting this week are Noah, Ted and Zac B

By the way we have an appointed referee for this game.

Sidmouth Raiders 2-5 Central United

Well done on another win that takes us joint top of the league.  We did make quite hard work of it for a while but then I did make a lot of changes that I think prevented us from settling into any sort of rhythm.  Having said that we scored more goals today than in both games put together against Sidmouth last season and it could have quite easily have been more. 

Another positive is that a couple of things we have worked on in training came to fruition in the game.  Marcus scored a brilliant glancing header from a perfect corner by George (I think this is our first ever........headed goal from a corner I mean, not first perfect corner George!). I did promise a small reward to the first person to score this way, so I will hand this out on Monday - good work Marcus, I didn't expect it to happen so soon!  We also scored from an excellent ball in across the face of goal by Pacey for George to cooly slot home past the keeper; again this was good to see.  

Other goals came from Marcus, George with one of his spectacular long range free-kicks, which is becoming bit of a trademark and Pacey who instinctivley hammered home a shot from outside the box after Marcus' forced a good save by their keeper.  

Man of the Match this week goes to Asher for his improved defensive play and also his calm, intelligent distribution down down the left wing - well done Asher! 

See you Monday chaps!

Saturday's game

We are away to Sidmouth Raiders on Saturday but it's a slightly later KO at 11am, as they have another team playing on the pitch first.  Can we therefore meet at the below address at 10.30am.  Please let me know if your son can't make it.   

Newton Poppleford Playing Fields, Back Lane, Newton Poppleford, EX10 0BX

Players resting this week are Joseph, Matt and Zak Milling.

Lympstone Rangers 0-6 Central United

Another win, lots of goals and none conceded with all 15 of you playing a good part, so well done lads.

Andrew got us off the mark with an excellent left foot strike into the the far corner of the net following some quick thinking from Asher to start the move from a short corner.  Matt and Marcus both scored 2 brilliant individual goals and were unlucky not to both grab a hat-trick.  Euan also got on the scoresheet by pouncing on a loose ball in the box and hammering it home with a powerful left foot shot.

I've put a new team photo on the blog which includes everyone this time!

http://centralunitedfc.blogspot.co.uk

Be prepared for some fitness training on Monday.  We're also going to be working on crossing and finishing.  Hope to see you there!

Exeter City Day

The club have arranged another Exeter City Day but this time they have separated the age groups - under 12's are on Tuesday 10th February (they might have improved a bit by then!) for the match against Cambridge Utd.  Tickets are £15 each which includes match ticket in Flybe stand, match day programme, pizza, drink and the boys take part in a half time penalty shoot out. 

There's no need to respond now, just thought I would give you advanced notice. 

Friendly on Saturday

I have arranged a friendly against Lympstone Rangers on Saturday at their ground, 10am for 10.30am KO.  Can you let me know asap if your son can't make it please.

The address is:
Cliff Field
Burgmann's Hill
Lympstone
Exmouth
EX8 5HP

Most of you have been there before, as we played there last season, but for those who haven't you will see a big gate just off the road into a field where you can park and the pitch is across a little bridge. 

I meant to take a group picture at training on Monday to update the blog but I forgot, so can someone give me a nudge on Saturday if I forget again!

Rota

There is a new page on the blog called Fixtures/Rota that shows the rest games up until end of the year.  You will see that some players miss 2 and others 3 games but this will be taken into account when I work out 2015 fixtures to make sure it's fair.

West Exe 1 - 4 Central United

Well done everyone on a great victory yesterday.  It was yet another slow start, though, seeing us go a goal behind early on but it was pleasing to see a bit of team spirit to turn the game around and run out comfortable winners in the end against a physical West Exe side.  Matt and Marcus' goals were all top drawer and were both unlucky not to get more.  

West Exe beat us twice last season and narrowly missed out on promotion, which made yesterdays win all the more impressive and everyone played their part - all bar 2 players were substituted at some point in the game, which shows the strength of the squad we have now.  

There were so many excellent performances but there could only really be one Man of the Match and that's Marcus for his superb hat-trick - well done Marcus!

Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at training when we will be practicing corners (defending and attacking) and scoring from crosses.  The club have kindly provided a brand new Nike football for each of you which I will be handing out.  Please make sure you bring it to training each week.   

First match

We have our first match of the season on Saturday against West Exe at Barton Fields.  It's the usual 10.30 KO so can you be there for 10am please.  I've been told this season they are playing on the first pitch as you enter the gates from the Cowick Street end.  If your son is unable to make it please let me know.

Asher, Andrew and Pacey are the players being rested for this game.  I've not had time to finish the rota but will do over the weekend and will email it to you all.

West Exe 3-4 Central United

Great performance last night chaps, some of the passing and link up play was as good as I've seen for a team of your age group - the extra midfielder definitely makes a big difference to our game.  With the new additions of Marcus (2 great goals by the way!), Ted and Noah who were all excellent, we're looking in good shape for what should be a very exciting season ahead for us if you keep playing like that!

Offside

I only found out last week that we are playing offside this season hence the quick 5 minute crash course on Saturday.  Below is a link to a video that might help make the rules a bit clearer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01-uArNpdw

We will be needing a linesman/women for each game, no experience needed! If anyone would like to help out with this please let me know.