CCFC -Under 10 Youth

November 14th Castle Cary Youth v Merriott Hawks - Cup 2^nd Round
Saturday saw the Cary Youth Under 10s play a second round cup match against Merriott Hawks. Having beaten the Hawks twice last season, the team were confident of progressing further in this year’s cup competition.
Cary kicked off and within the first minute took the lead through a goal by Little Jack. This lead was doubled within 2 minutes when Big Jack also scored. Cary dominated play and by the time we were half way through the first half, the team were 4 - 0, Big Jack completing a well deserved hat trick. We moved players around but still Cary dominated and by half time were 6 - 0 up, with two further goals, one from Alfie and another from Cormac.
The second half continued with a similar dominance. However, the team lost some of its good passing movement from the first half as, suddenly, everyone became a little greedy and wanted to score. This lead to many wayward, wild efforts not really troubling the Merriott keeper. However, when the boys settled down and began passing again, the goals once again began to flow and Cary ran out 9 - 0 winners. Big Jack scored another two to end the game with 5 goals and Alfie got his second.
It was another good team performance and over the last three matches, the boys have scored 22 goals and only conceded two. We are back to league action on Saturday (14 November) when we take on Somerton at our playing field. Kick off at 11.00am.

24^th October 2009 Castle Cary Youth v Ash Rovers
The Under 10’s Youth side travelled to Ash Rovers on Saturday with a bare minimum of 7 players. Ash were the side which pushed Cary all the way to the end last season, as Cary won the Under 9s Division 3 title.
Heavy rain over night had left the pitch heavy but still in good condition. Cary started well and took an early lead when Big Jack finished a great run down the right wing with an even better shot, beating the Ash keeper at his near post. This early goal gave the team a real confidence boost and the Cary team dominated the first half, playing some really good passing football and defending extremely well when required to. Cary really piled the pressure on the Ash goal and Little Jack scored Cary’s second goal (his first from a header!!) following a great cross from Cormac. By half time, Cary lead 4 - 0 and Little Jack had completed his hat-trick; a second headed goal and his third, a great volley following a cross from Big Jack.
The second half saw Cary continue to outclass the Ash side for the majority of the 25 mins. Little Jack scored his fourth when he nipped in and lifted the ball over the out coming keeper and Big Jack scored his second, direct from a corner. Ash did manage to get a consolation goal but the Cary team deserved their 6 - 1.
Mention must go to harry who took a hard knock in the first half but refused to come off and played in quite a bit of pain in the second half. Luke and Ned were both excellent in their defensive roles, while Keiran in goal made the saves he had to but had a quiet game.
The boys now have a week’s break before their next match which is the second round of the cup against Merriott Hawks on the 7^th November. This was a great team performance, with some really good football played. Well done lads, keep it up!!

17^th October Castle Cary Youth v Bruton 17^th October

Following last weekend’s disappointing performance at Stoke Youth, the Under 10s Youth side were keen to get back to winning ways this Saturday when they had a local derby against Bruton.

The team welcomed back Big Jack, who had no school this weekend, and were able to field a full squad. The Youth started the game really well, putting the Bruton defence under a lot of pressure early on. Bruton made a few attacks during this time but Ned and Mac in the Cary defence dealt with these without too much difficulty. However, it was Bruton who took the lead, against the run of play, and the Youth found themselves 1 - 0 down after 12 minutes.

This was the wake up call the team needed and began to play the type of football they are capable of. Little Jack got the equaliser for Cary Youth and two further goals from Big Jack and a second from Little Jack, saw the Youth lead 3 - 1 at the half time interval.

The second half was nearly one way traffic. Although Bruton did manage the occasional attack on the Cary goal, Luke, who had replaced Ned at half time and Mac, who had an outstanding game, dealt with these threats well and Keiran, in the Cary goal, did not have that much to do! Cary dominated this half and scored a further four goals: a third from Little Jack to complete his hat trick, a second from Big Jack and one a piece for Alfie and Cormac. Desperate defending by Bruton was the only thing which stopped the score line going into double figures. Cary came out 7 - 1 winners at the final whistle.

I would like to say a big well done to all the team for this performance. They picked themselves up really well after last week’s defeat and showed that they have the ability to be real contenders for the Division 2 title. Mention must go to Harry for his tenacity in this game. He never gave up on any ball and shrugged off many a challenge. The team now need to go and build upon this next week, when we have another tough match away to Ash Rovers. We go to this match with a bare team of just seven players. We need to get another 3 points from this match to keep up with Perry Street, the league leaders.

10 October 2009 Castle Cary Youth Under 10s v Stoke Youth

Saturday saw the Cary Youth Under 10s play their second league match against Stoke Youth. We had two close games against Stoke at the end of last season so we knew this was going to be a tough game.

Cary started the game well, with Little Jack hitting the outside of the post within the first minute. Cary continued to press hard during the first half and were rewarded with the opening goal following an excellent run and finish by captain Cormac. Stoke created a couple of chances but Keiran made one great save and another was cleared from the line. On the balance of the half, Cary deserved their one nil lead.

The second half started with Stoke leaving one man up front and putting the rest of the team in defence. This made it very difficult for Cary to create many goal scoring opportunities but the team did manage to score their second, when Cormac finished again. So with a little under twenty minutes to play, the Youth were in a strong position to record their second league win of the season.

The remainder of the match, however, can be summed up quite simply as appalling. Cary defended poorly, failing to clear balls, pick up men, etc and at the final whistle had managed to lose the game 4 - 2. Granted, Stoke were awarded a very dubious goal, when there was no way the whole of the ball could have crossed the line but, nevertheless, it was a poor performance.

Never mind. The team will, I am sure, pick themselves up on Saturday when we have a local derby at home to Bruton (10am KO)

3^rd October
Castle Cary Youth Under 10s v Ilminster Town

The Castle Cary Under 10 Youth team’s league campaign began this Saturday with a home match against Ilminster Town. Having watched this side beat the Cary Rangers in the cup last weekend, the team knew it was going to be a tight match.

Cary won the toss and decided to kick with the wind in the first half. During the opening 10 minutes, the Cary side had greater possession and created a couple of good chances but failed to hit the back of the net. Ilminster defended well and during a rare attack into the Cary half, a mistake in the Cary defence lead to Ilminster taking the lead at the second attempt, following a good initial save from Keiran.

Five minutes later, and following further Cary pressure, another mistake by Cary led to them finding themselves 2 - 0 down, totally against the run of play. However, the boys kept playing their passing game and putting pressure on the Ilminster defence. The team pulled a well deserved goal back when Mac, playing at left back, picked up a loose ball, carried it into the Ilminster half and took a very well hit long range shot. Although, it was heading goalward, a slight deflection help see the ball past the Ilminster keeper, into the bottom corner of the net.

This goal gave the Cary team further confidence and after narrowly missing from a couple of earlier headers, another well taken corner by Alfie saw Cormac meet it with his chest at the far post for the Cary equaliser. The score remained at 2 - 2 when the half time whistle blew.

The second half saw Cary start strongly once again. Strong play by Big Jack and Cormac in midfield saw Cary dominate possession and their efforts were rewarded when a good run by Little Jack saw him beat a defender and slot the ball into the net. 3 - 2 to Cary. This lead was increased to 4 - 2 soon after. Little Jack was fouled just outside of the Ilminster box and a free kick was awarded. Big Jack took a ‘Beckham like’ free kick which hit the post right in the top corner and glanced into the net.

Cary now seemed to have the game under control and continued to pressure the Ilminster defence. However, with 6 or 7 minutes remaining, Ilminster scored a third goal which set the game up for a nerve racking few final minutes. However, the Cary team held on and were, in my opinion, deserved 4 - 3 winners.

So, a good start to our league campaign. 3 points on the board. We have another tough match next week when we travel away to Stoke Youth, and we don’t have Big Jack for this game! Well done to all the players for this victory.

19^th September
Castle Cary Youth Under 10s v Lyde (A)

Castle Cary Youth Under 10s played their last grading match on Saturday morning against Lyde Locomotives. Both teams went into this match knowing that whoever won would be runners up in their grading group and go into Division 1 (although a draw would be good enough for Lyde to claim the spot on goal difference).

Both teams started well and played a lot of good football. Cary had the bare minimum number of players so some positional changes were required, mainly Cormac coming out of central midfield into the left back role. The opening 10 minutes were equally shared before a well constructed attack by Lyde resulted in them taking the lead. Cary Youth continued to battle well in midfield and defend strongly and got a well deserved equaliser when Little Jack picked up a through pass, turned and ran at goal holding off three Lyde defenders before finishing with a good shot into the corner of the net.

This equaliser helped the Cary team raise their game further and Cary took a deserved half time lead when Little Jack scored his second goal of the game.

The second half was a great game of football to watch, with both teams creating chances. Keiran, in the Cary goal made three good saves to keep the score at 2 - 1, while at the other end, Little Jack was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick when his shot hit the left-hand post. With three minutes to go, Cary looked to be on their way to playing Division 1 football. Then a quick break from Lyde saw them with a man over in their attack and their striker finished well to bring the scores level and soon after the final whistle blew. Overall, a draw was probably a fair result but that didn’t take away the disappointment the boys felt and having victory snatched from them so late on.

Mention must go to Cormac for another great performance and to Ned, who had an excellent game at right-back. Next week, sees both Cary Under 10s teams play at home in cup matches, before the league campaign begins on 3^rd October.

Well done to the whole Cary Youth squad. They have played some very exciting football during the grading matches, with a great team spirit. In my opinion, they have a good chance for challenging for the Division 2 title this year.

16^th September
Castle Cary Youth Under 10s v Wincanton

Wednesday evening saw Castle Cary Youth play their penultimate grading match against local rivals Wincanton. Having gained six points from their first three matches, the team knew that a win tonight and on Saturday would see them into Division 1 for the coming season.

The Cary squad was back up to full strength and began the game very strongly. The Cary midfield of Alfie, Cormac and Big Jack soon began to dominate and Cary took an early lead when Big Jack put an excellent cross from the right into the box and Little Jack, in two touches, brought the ball under control and placed it past the keeper. The lead was soon doubled when Big Jack took a great corner from the right which went straight into the goal, with a little help from the Wincanton keeper. 2 - 0 up and barely 10 minutes played.

As the half progressed, Wincanton began to bring themselves more into the game and pulled a goal back after a good run and finish from their star player, Brennan. However, almost immediately, a corner from the left delivered by Alfie, was well finished at the back post by Mac. This was the last score before half time and Cary went of deservedly leading 3 - 1 at half time.

Two substitutions were made at half time and a little reorganisation took place. The second half was similar to the latter stages of the first, with both sides sharing a good amount of passion of the ball. Wincanton pulled a gaol back to make it 3 - 2 before Harry scored his first ever goal for Cary Youth. A good ball forward from Cormac was well collected by Harry, who drove forward and finished expertly.

With 10 minutes or so to go, Wincanton scored their third goal and this set up for a tight and nervous last few minutes. Both sides had chances to score but were not taken. Then, with a minute, remaining, Cary nerves were eased when Alfie scored with a good effort from outside the box. The final whistle blew soon after and Cary came off the field 5 - 3 winners.

Well done to all the lads for another great team performance, with a special mention to Luke for his excellent first half performance just.

Next match: Lyde (A) Saturday 19^th September 10.30am KO

9th September
Castle Cary Youth Under 10s v Parcroft Silverbacks

Wednesday evening saw Castle Cary Youth play their second grading match of the new season against a new side in the league this year, Parcroft Silverbacks. After their great performance on Saturday in beating Merriott Sharks, the team were confident of another fine performance.

Straight from kick-off, Castle Cary piled on the pressure and opened the scoring within 35 seconds of the start of the match. An early corner was delivered brilliantly into the box by Alfie and was met with a thumping header by Cormac. One nil to Cary. Over the next seven minutes Cary dominated the game and, by the time the game was 8 minutes old, the team were 4 - 0 up, with Big Jack helping himself to a quick hat-trick.

With the game already won, the coach made a few positional changes and substitutions. Despite more constant pressure on the Parcroft goal, the score, somehow, remained 4 - 0 at half time.

The second half began like the first half did, with a quick goal. This set the tone for the half and an impressive Cary side scored regularly, including some great long range goals from Big Jack, Little Jack and Alfie. At the final whistle, Cary Youth came out 13 - 0 winners, with Big Jack bagging 8 goals, Little Jack and Alfie two apiece and Cormac getting the other one.

A very impressive team performance but one we must not get carried away with because Saturday’s game, against a strong Ilchester Larks side, will be a very different proposition to the Parcroft match. Well done to the whole team.

Saturday’s kick-off, at home, is at 11.00am

Next match: Wednesday 16^th September v Wincanton (H) 6.00pm KO

5th September
Match report for Castle Cary Youth Under 10s v Merriott Sharks 5th September

Castle Cary Youth Under 10s began their season with a grading game against Merriott Sharks on Saturday 5^th September. Although the team were confident, we knew it was going to be a hard game against a side who had finished runners up of Division 2 last season.

Cary started brightly, playing some good passing football and soon began to dominate the midfield play. Cormac, Alfie and Big Jack gelled well in this area and Cary made many attacks down both wings. Merriott made few inroads into the Cary half of the pitch, although on one rare attack, Keiran made an excellent save with his feet.

Despite putting the Merriott goal under a lot of pressure, Cary found it hard to score past an inform goalkeeper. However, their consistent pressure paid off when a shot from Big Jack managed to squirm under the Merriott keeper’s body and Cary took a deserved lead into half time.

The second half began with Merriott pushing forward harder and forced a number of corners within the first five minutes of the half. However, the Cary defence dealt with these without too much bother and soon began to gain the upper hand once again. With about 10 minutes of the match remaining, Cary scored the second goal which was required to ease the pressure. A good run by Big Jack into the box was well finished by Little Jack.

Cary continued to push for a third goal and thought that they had got it when Little Jack scored what looked like a good goal. However, it was disallowed for hand ball. At the final whistle, Cary emerged deserved 2 - 0 victors.

Special mention must go to Luke who played exceptionally well at right-back. The team move onto their next match against Parcroft Silverbacks on Wednesday with much confidence for the forthcoming season.

Well done lads and thanks to all the parents for their support.

By the Ed - I was at this game and would like to say well done to both teams for an entertaining game . I also thought Cary played some very good football and was very pleased by the support for both sides. I also thought the ref had a good game !!