Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Col 6 vs 6 Totteridge FC - u13's

Another exciting match, this time against top the the table Aylesbury at their patch.

13 players available (so fairly easy for me to manage the subs ??). A clash of kits, so they had to wear bibs, something we'll have to do in the reverse fixture.

Before kick off, the ref was very thorough, checking all the studs on their boots, telling the players how he was going to ref the game. Was very professional.

Captains meet in the middle to flip the coin. The teams have to change ends (presumably they wanted to have us face the sun). We were to kick off. I'd asked Noah to try something new at the beginning. Not to pass straight back to Chaise (the norm), but to try take them on from the off. Give them something to think about. Needless to say, it didn't work and they went on to score within the first minute.

However their lead didn't last long and three minutes later we were back even thanks to Logan's first goal.

We seemed to have plenty of opportunities going forward, however two quick goals by them on the 10th and 11th minute put us 3-1 down. Three minutes later, again, Logan clawed a goal back. That glimmer of hope only lasted one minute before they restored their two goal lead. Logan completed his hat-trick before half time on 28 minutes, and we went in 4-3 down at half time, still very much in the game.

After a quick break, we're back on the pitch before our opposition, now playing away from the sun. Full of optimism, we know we've got to take the game to them. However, a 38th and a 40th minute goal from the opposition put them 6-3 up. Now we have to change our game plan. Chaise and Miguel are tasked with holding the defence on their own as we push an extra man into midfield, before later playing 2-4-4 to get something out of the game. Aylesbury's attack was good for most parts, so was a risk that had to be taken.

Logan, not satisfied with just a hat-trick, added a forth goal on 56 minutes to start the comeback of comebacks. An hour into the game and Rory weaves through the penalty box, being fouled in the process. Up steps Noah to blast the penalty in. Now, at 6-5, we're really going for it. Calls of two goals needed to win the game can be heard from players, and the coach ??. Two minutes later, Rory sees in our 6th, and final, goal to bring the scores equal at 6-6.

Not finished there, both teams desperately wanted the win. Rory took a freekick on the edge of the box that, unfortunately, went straight to the keeper. Then, it seemed to be all Aylesbury as the final couple of minutes were played out in our box.

The ref blew his whistle on 70 minutes. I was quite surprised there were no injury time, as throughout the game there were lots of laces being tied, and we even had a player, John, lose a tooth that needed to be dealt with, but to be honest, I was happy for the game to end there and take a point.

All in all, it was an excellent game, and very proud of the resilience shown.