Report

Another beautiful sunny morning, another great display from the Wasps.  With Edward unavailable, Beaulieu had 8 players for this last SPL game of the season. The Wasps lined up with Maisy in goal, Ben and Tom in defence, Charlie, Max and Zach in midfield and Caden up front.   William was on the bench.

Farnham attacked directly from the kick off and quickly got the ball to the edge of the penalty area but Tom confidently cleared it up the pitch (the first of many such clearances) and it was Beaulieu who were to apply most of the early pressure.  On just 4 minutes, good work from the midfield led to a Beaulieu corner which Max delivered perfectly and Zach was able to put away a sweet half-volley. 1-0 Beaulieu.  Beaulieu were to continue to have the majority of the ball and forced a number of corners.  Beaulieu’s midfield three were working well and put together some good passing moves interlinking with Caden nicely but Farnham managed to get players behind the ball and their keeper was again proving to be difficult to beat. Max in particular was having a great game winning most of his battles and showing some nice pieces of skill as well. Farnham did pose a threat and Maisy had to react quickly to block a good effort from a Farnham forward but Ben and Tom were both in excellent form and kept Farnham’s opportunities to a minimum. On ten mins, Will came on for Caden who had worked really hard.  William quickly looked to pick up where Caden had left off but Farnham were having their best spell of the match and put the Beaulieu defence under pressure for five minutes.  However, Beaulieu weathered this storm and started to create more chances with Will looking dangerous as he flashed a shot across the goal from the right touchline. Charlie, Max and Zach also saw efforts blocked or go just wide.  On 17 mins, Max came off and Will switched to the right and Caden back up front.  On 18 minutes, Will intercepted a pass from a Farnham player, set off on a run down the left and crossed to Charlie who had made a great run into space and he finished confidently. 2-0.   Beaulieu really had the bit between their teeth now and with virtually the last kick of the half, Caden hit a dipping long range effort that beat the keeper and went in off the underside of the bar. 3-0.

The teamtalk was one of my most inspiring: “Have a drink, have an orange and carry on!!”  It clearly worked as just 5 mins in, excellent work from Caden saw him feed the ball to Ben (who had swapped roles with Charlie at half-time) who laid it through to Zach to finish well giving the keeper no chance. 4-0. This was the cue for Zach to have a rest with Max coming back on the right and Will switching to the left.  Beaulieu were now so full of confidence that they were shooting from range. On 8 minutes, Ben won the ball in midfield and ran at the defence letting off a powerful shot that the keeper couldn’t hold and as two defenders tried to clear the ball off the line, William pounced and smashed it into the net. 5-0. Full credit to Farnham they kept going and were very unlucky not to pull a goal back with a great forward run from their number 3 but Tom was able to clear the ball away for a corner that was dealt with by the Beaulieu defence. For the last 8 minutes, William moved into defence and Charlie was given a well-earned rest with Zach back on the left. Beaulieu managed to force some more corners and from one of these, the ball ended up on the edge of the box where Will fired in a low shot, the keeper did well to block it but Caden pounced and scored. Final score 6-0.

A great display today with everyone really on top of their games.  Max was awarded the (only) player of the match award (where are my other trophies?) for a really good display of dogged battling and skilful play – well done Max. But you have all done well and this was a terrific way to end the season (and it’s still only March).  We may not have done enough to finish first or second but I am so proud of how these players have performed this season and I know the parents and other supporters are too.