U11's Warriors

24th April 2009
Pinhoe Warriors 4 v 1 Brixington Utd
Goals: Dylan Thorne, Oliver Rowe, William Dechan

The match was played with the biggest crowd of the season supporting (27 in total) and began with an excellent shot by Dylan Thorne in the first minute of the game which was well saved by the Brixington keeper. Pinhoe kept up the early pressure and further shots from Dylan, Toby Goodwin and Seb Richards all required saves. Brixington then settled and responded well and took the lead from a corner. They then dominated play for a little while with four further corners in quick succession which were effectively dealt with by Louis Holeman and Paul Cranston in goal. Pinhoe then pressed forward again and Dylan Thorne got the equalizer just before half time.

The second half began with Pinhoe showing some excellent passing play which led to Dylan's second goal, initially saved by the keeper but sent home by Dylan as it rebounded to him. Paul Cranston was forced to make a good save at the other end but then Oliver Rowe showed his ability to run through the opposition's defence. His first shot was saved well by the keeper but a few minutes later he broke free again and this time made sure that his finishing was accurate and made the score 3 - 1. Soon after this William Dechan, who had come on as substitute, showed that he too could make a run from just past the halfway line and his well taken goal put Pinhoe 4 - 1 up. Pinhoe continued to dominate the end of the match with a good save preventing Mitch Pearce making it 5 -1 and a shot from William Dechan that went just wide in the dying minutes of the game.

Player of Match: N/K

3rd April 2009
Twyford Spartans 5 v 4 Pinhoe Warriors
Goals: Dylan Thorne, Mitch Pearce (2), Bayley Smeath

In their match against Twyford, Pinhoe started strongly forcing the Twyford keeper into an early reflex save from Dylan Thorne's well hit shot, turning the ball onto the crossbar. Dylan followed this up with a lovely left footed shot on the turn just hitting the post. The continuous pressure told and Pinhoe broke the deadlock soon after through Dylan's cool finish from Mitch Pearce's cut back. Twyford started getting into the game with both keepers being tested by long range efforts but Pinhoe were still dominating possession with Toby Goodwin pulling the strings in midfield. Pinhoe then doubled their lead from a fine side footed strike outside the area by Bayley Smeath. Paul Cranston then pulled off a fine save from a long range effort to ensure the score stayed at 2-0. Twyford however pulled one back with a through ball leaving their striker one on one with Paul and although he made a good save with the first attempt Twyford's striker made no mistake with the rebound. Growing in confidence Twyford then equalized through a well struck shot outside the area that Paul Cranston could only parry into the net. Twyford continued to put on pressure in search of another goal before half time but to their credit Pinhoe regrouped quickly and took the lead again with a stunning individual goal by Mitch Pearce with a lovely left footed strike into the corner leaving Twyford's keeper no chance. Paul Cranston produced another strong save after some confusion in the blues area. From the resultant corner though Twyford equalized again as the ball evaded everyone and somehow ended up in the Pinhoe net. Half time: Twyford 3 - 3 Pinhoe.

In the second half Pinhoe again started stronger with some good pressure exerted in and around the Twyford area. However against the run of play Twyford produced a nice move which ended in their striker flicking the ball over Paul Cranston to go ahead for the first time in the match. Twyford continued to pressure and Paul was forced into making yet another good save turning the ball around the post that looked destined for the bottom corner. Pinhoe continued to look unconvincing in defending corners as there were some more nervy moments as the ball went close to the blues goal again. Pinhoe however showed more great character and pulled it back after some misjudgement from the Twyford defence allowed Seb Richards to pull the ball back for Mitch Pearce to slot home his second of the game. Twyford responded well though and had a number of efforts just missing the goal, but Pinhoe's defence were standing strong with Louis Holeman, Callum McMartin and Oliver Rowe all performing well at the back for Pinhoe. Twyford came inches again soon after with a shot deflecting off Toby Goodwin and Paul Cranston, helplessly wrongfooted, could only watch as the ball just went the wrong side of the post. Paul Cranston then produced the best save of the game tipping over a well struck effort onto the bar. The pressure eventually told still and Twyford went ahead again with a well-placed shot on the turn finding the bottom corner. Twyford, looking to seal it kept the pressure on with a shot skimming the crossbar. William Dechan replaced Seb Richards as Pinhoe sought for that elusive equalizer, however a rare defensive error allowed Twyford another attempt but Paul Cranston proved equal to it producing another good save to keep Pinhoe in the game. Pinhoe rallied with Bailey Smeath putting in some tenacious tackles in midfield but they were struggling to break down the Twyford defence, which had become very solid in the second half. As the game wore on Twyford began dominating possession and creating space in midfield and a goal was looking increasingly unlikely for Pinhoe. Dylan Thorne renewed hope though with another fine effort which the Twyford keeper did well to tip around the post. Encouraged by this Pinhoe drove forward and Toby Goodwin saw his shot just too high over the bar. The momentum was with Pinhoe now but Twyford stood firm and in the end it just wasn't meant to be as the referee drew the game to a close. It was a valiant effort by Pinhoe who will be encouraged by their performance today which could easily have gone the other way another day. Final score: Twyford 5 - 4 Pinhoe.

21st March 2009
St Martins 5 v 1 Pinhoe Warriors
Goals: Seb Richards

Both teams started competitively. There was an early free kick to Pinhoe which was saved and St Martins hit the post from a corner. Pinhoe tackled well and closed players down effectively as St Martins began to put on pressure. Their defence stayed strong for 25minutes but then a free kick taken just outside the area hit Luke Crawford's head, providing an undeserved own goal. St Martins took advantage of Pinhoe's lapse in concentration which followed and scored again a minute later. The play continued end to end until half time but although Pinhoe pressed forward they rarely shot at goal.

This was rectified at the beginning of the second half when Dylan Thorne hit the post and then sent a header just wide of the goal. But then St Martins made a quick break and as Paul Cranston came out of area to make the save the forward passed the ball to a team mate who knocked it into the back of the net easily. Pinhoe responded well but Toby Goodwin's shot from midfield was on target but lacked pace so was comfortably saved and Seb shot just wide. The excitement continued as a St Martin shot skimmed the crossbar and moments later they scored a 4th goal. The home team continued to put Pinhoe's defence under pressure but Paul Cranston saved a free kick and then just got his finger tips to a high shot and put it just over the crossbar. Pinhoe continued with determination and Seb Richards hit the crossbar at the other end and the rebound went in off a St Martin's player. Pinhoe's celebration of a consolation goal was short-lived as a misunderstanding between keeper and defenders led to another own goal for St Martins. Overall an exciting match with a score line which did not really reflect the effort and commitment the Warriors showed.

Player of Match: N/K

14th March 2009
Pinhoe Warriors 2 v 6 Brixington Blues
Goals: Toby Goodwin, Dylan Thorne

Early pressure from Brixington put them into an early lead and Pinhoe's defence were stretched so that the away team were soon 2-0 up. An uncharacteristic error from Paul Cranston gave them an easy 3rd goal and as Brixington continued to press forward again, Pinhoe's defence was found wanting and it was soon 4-0. Suddenly Pinhoe came to life and showed that they could play football too. A well taken free kick by Louis Holeman went to Bayley Smeath whose excellent pass enabled Toby Goodwin to knock in a goal to make it 4 -1. With their confidence up, the Warriors pressed forward again and some excellent passing play enabled centre forward Dylan Thorne to score a second goal. A corner at the other end provided a further opportunity for the visitors to show why they head the League as they made it 5 - 1.

The second half started with a 6th goal from Brixington but from then on Pinhoe settled and played well. Bayley Smeath hit a shot just wide, Paul Cranston made a good save from a corner and although Brixington continued to put on pressure, the Pinhoe defence stayed solid and focused. There were occasional breaks by Pinhoe - a notable solo run from Toby Goodwin who just failed to finish well - and some good saves from Paul Cranston prevented Brixington scoring any more goals.

Brixington were certainly the stronger team but in the early part of the game the Warriors were a little too in awe of their opponents' reputation. In the second half, their determination and commitment suggested that the difference between the two teams was perhaps more one of confidence than ability.

Player of Match: N/K

21st February 2009
Pinhoe Warriors 2 v 0 Crediton Saints
Goals: Seb Richards, Bayley Smeath

The teams seemed evenly matched in the early stages of the game but gradually Pinhoe began to put some good passes together and came close to taking the lead as Dylan Thorne's shot skimmed over the crossbar. There followed goal-mouth action at both ends. Bayley Smeath had a shot saved from a free kick and Pinhoe then had to defend a free kick to ensure the score stayed level. Gradually Pinhoe gained confidence and both Seb Richards and Toby Goodwin had strong attempts on goal. Crediton defended well too though and at half time it was still 0-0.

Pinhoe got off to a strong start in the second half and a shot from Seb Richards hit the side netting. They continued to press forward and Seb had another shot saved by the Crediton keeper. His third attempt, however, was successful and gave Pinhoe a well-deserved lead. Crediton had no time to recover as Pinhoe pressed forward again immediately and Bayley Smeath made it 2-0. The excitement continued and the Crediton captain's defensive header over the crossbar prevented a third goal and Toby Goodwin's shot went just wide. There was a moment's respite for the Saints when their striker broke free and forced Paul Cranston to take decisive action 1 on 1 and make a clearance just inside his area. The resulting corner was dealt with efficiently by Louis Holeman. Crediton made some good attempts at goal towards the end of the game but Pinhoe continued to defend confidently. A brilliant solo run from Oliver Rowe caused some late match excitement but his final shot was not powerful enough to cause a problem for the visiting goalkeeper. Toby Goodwin shot just wide in the final moments of the match but although no further goals were forthcoming, the good team effort meant they could celebrate a deserved victory.

Player of Match: Louis Holeman

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