Whitburn & Cleadon Madrid Under 9’s

We couldn’t be more proud of the boys this season. They have shown amazing resilience throughout a lot of changes, they have worked hard and every single one of them has developed.
They are looking forward to the new season and having fun in the meantime with training sessions and socials.
Our end of season presentation at The New Crown gave the boys a chance to celebrate their win in the last match of the season. Their work rate, effort and support of each other is second to none.
Sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us this season - parents, grandparents, siblings and friends have maintained a constant belief in this fantastic group of boys.
Onwards and upwards lads.
Special congratulations to parents’ player of the season ARLO RUTHERFORD, player’s player of the season ALEX LOW and coach’s player of the season HARRISON MIZEN.
Well played boys, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what you can do next season!! ❤️

Well done Leo!! POTW this week was chosen by our young and very talented helper Jacob.
Leo, your progression and persistence is spot on, keep working hard - you show fantastic strength and determination - great stuff!! 🎉⚽️🎉⚽️

Whitburn & Cleadon Madrid 1
Chester Le Street Waldridge Park Juniors 2

Alex ⚽️
Arlo 🅰️

POTM Arlo - energetic in midfield, always trying to set attacks away after winning the ball. Well played Arlo
OPOTM Harry - brilliant today, full of running, always alert to dangers and made the right tackles at the right times, a rock in defence. Nice one Harry!

Whitburn just didn't turn up today, after some great performances in recent weeks they were a bit flat today and never really got into their stride. Had some early chances gone in they it may have been a different story but Waldridge Park deserved their win on a lovely sunny morning at Ford Hub.

Whitburn started brightly and almost took the lead, a corner from Jamie was cleared to Leo who fired a shot onto the crossbar. It was really unlucky but unfortunately the Madrid boys missed the fact that the ball was away on the counter-attack and Waldridge Park took the lead. Whitburn soon equalised with a lovely goal. Harrison took a quick kick in to Jamie in space who crossed in for Arlo to then find Alex unmarked at the back post and he squeezed the ball home from a tight angle for 1-1. As quickly as the Madrid boys got themselves into the game, they went behind again to another breakaway goal and though we didn't know it at the time, the winning and final goal.

Madrid went close with Alex again at the back post and some nice Harrison corners causing problems, with Alex volleying over from one, but no more goals and Whitburn went into the break 1-2 behind.

To be fair to the boys, they were much improved in the second half and had one really great opportunity that was sent over the bar, but Waldridge still had the better of the play, shooting wide when clean through a couple of times and forcing Rowan into three good saves. Leo made two blocks when they seemed certain to score but it was Harry who was superb throughout, reading the attacks and making perfectly timed tackles and blocks, then setting away attacks. He really had a great match today, a real bright spot in a disappointing morning for Whitburn.

We look to bounce back in our last match of the season next week against Washington. 🟡⚫️

Today’s OPOTM was so well deserved and went to Harry who was absolutely outstanding today. He saved us so many times with great challenges in defence but also moving play up the pitch with fantastic footwork, skill and determination. Brilliant play Harry!! 🎉⚽️🎉

Well done to Arlo, today’s POTM against an energetic Waldridge side!!
He was solid in the centre, creating some lovely play forward but also tracking back multiple times to help in defence when we were under pressure. Great play Arlo 🎉⚽️🎉⚽️

Well done to Joseph, this week’s POTW!!! It was hard work in the humidity and heat and the rain/sun - the weather didn’t know what it wanted to do. Joseph worked hard throughout the games and mini match. Looking forward to seeing your skills on Saturday Joseph - well done!!! ⚽️🎉💪🏻

Whitburn & Cleadon Madrid 5
Hetton Juniors Sampdoria 1

Alfie ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️
Leo ⚽️🅰️
Harrison 🅰️
Jamie 🅰️
Alex 🅰️

POTM Alfie - What a performance!! Four goals and created the other, some wonderful clinical finishing but also a tremendous work rate and great strength in an all round awesome effort. Well done Alfie!

OPOTM Leo - With every game Leo gets better and better and today he was superb. Such strength to shield the ball or win the tackle but also creativity, a perfect through ball for Alfie's second goal and then a lovely goal to top off a great morning. Nice one Leo!

Whitburn were comfortable winners today on a very windy morning with challenging conditions to play football. An inspired first half by Hetton's goalkeeper kept the score down but the Madrid boys really got into gear in the second half, played some lovely passing football and got the goals they deserved. Another all round great team performance too, whilst Alfie grabbed the headlines with the goals, the foundation was set up with great defending by Harry and Joseph, another tenacious midfield day for Arlo and the assists shared around Jamie, Leo, Harrison and Alex. And a tricky day for a goalkeeper with the gusty wind, well done Rowan.

The story of the first half was almost constant attacking by Whitburn, denied by some brilliant goalkeeping by Hetton. The goalie had a superb half, with shots supercharged by the wind, he had a very busy half and kept out all but one shots, really very well played goalie. Alex and Arlo saw both shots saved in quick succession, then another from Alfie, a long range shot from Harrison hit the post, he tipped over a fierce shot from Alfie and another block for Harrison. Just one goal, created by Harrison and one powerful shot too many saw Alfie get a deserved goal but only a narrow lead at half time. Quick mention for Harry, he made a superb tackle to win the ball on a rare Hetton attack, these moments are critical in the overall context of the match.

Half time 1-0

The second half began and kicking into the wind seemed to suit Whitburn better, playing the ball on the ground and playing some lovely football. The second goal was a beauty, Leo won the ball with great strength and then sprinted away, looked up and picked out Alfie with a perfect through ball, Alfie running onto it and delicately placed the ball into the corner and past the advancing keeper. A lovely composed finish, indeed all Alfie's goals were different finishes and really showed his technique and footballing brain. The third goal came from Jamie, driving forward and shooting, then pouncing on the rebound to cross for Alfie to tap in. Number four saw Alfie the creator this time, strong and quick down the right wing with Whitburn queuing up to score from the cross. It didn't quite run for Arlo but Leo was on hand to fire home a great goal and a well deserved reward for a super all-round performance. The fifth goal came from Alex, winning the ball and sending Alfie through with another ideal through ball for him to fire home powerfully into the corner. Four really well created goals and the game was won. Hetton scored a consolation goal to spoil Rowan's clean sheet.

Final score 5-1

The Madrid boys played some lovely football today but they also battled really hard, never let Hetton settle, their work rate meant they won almost every battle across the pitch, enabling the creativity up the other end to secure a fine win. A great match, looking forward to Waldridge Park next Saturday. 🟡⚫️

Alfie has been awarded POTM this week - an outstanding effort and some brilliant finishes brought Alfie 4 goals - absolutely outstanding and well deserved!! Well done Alfie 🎉⚽️