U12's Warriors

20th February 2010
Pinhoe Warriors 1 v 2 Brixington Blues
Goals: Cory Holman

The match began with Pinhoe putting on pressure with good shots from Toby Goodwin and Mitch Pearce. However, a corner to Brixington was converted to give them a 1 - 0 lead midway through the first half. Good defensive play by Harvey Lavis and a confident save by Paul Cranston kept Pinhoe in contention but it never felt comfortable and there was relief in the Pinhoe camp when an opportunity at an open goal was sent wide. Pinhoe had their moments too though as Luke Crawford sent a shot which flew just wide of the near post, Bayley Smeath was unlucky on three occasions due to some good goal keeping and Toby Goodwin's effort went just wide too.

In the second half Bayley Smeath had yet another shot saved but the Warriors kept the pressure going and Cory Holman made no mistake when he had the chance to equalize. The game remained evenly poised with both teams having opportunities to go ahead. Cory Holman made a good run from the half way line but couldn't quite finish with the necessary power and his cross to Craig which was knocked on to Bayley was just wide again. A shot from Luke Crawford went just over the bar and at the other end Paul Cranston saved a well-taken free kick from just outside the area. The Pinhoe back four had remained strong and it was an uncharacteristic error that gave Honiton the chance to shoot. Although Paul Cranston jumped and got his finger tips to it, he couldn't keep it from flying to the back of the net. Pinhoe tried to get back and a shot from Mitch Pearce was saved and the final result was, once again not in their favour.

13th February 2010
Pinhoe Warriors 2 v 4 Honiton
Goals: Dan Hunt, Cory Holman

The first half was easily the Warriors' best performance of the season. The ball rarely entered their half and they passed confidently, communicated well and had most of the possession. Goals, however, remained elusive and although Luke Crawford's excellent strike from 25 yards out, was on target, the Honiton goal-keeper did well to punch it away. Credit should be given to Honiton for defending well against a barrage of shots and corners and it was late in the first half when Pinhoe eventually managed to break through with a goal from Dan Hunt following a goal-mouth scramble.

Pinhoe began the second half with the same positive and determined attitude. Craig Chudley had a shot which was just wide soon after kick off and a few minutes later Cory Holman's excellent shot beat the goal keeper, soaring into the top right corner, giving Pinhoe a two goal advantage. Whether the boys relaxed a little, or whether Honiton were shaken into action is difficult to ascertain, but suddenly the visitors began to perform. Their first serious attack was converted instantly into a goal and a minute later they scored again. The Warriors were shell-shocked and Honiton took advantage scoring two more goals to make the final score 2 - 4.

6th February 2010
Alphington 2 v 2 Pinhoe Warriors
Goals: William Deacon, Josh Chalmers

Although this away fixture was played at home, Alphington settled more quickly and took an early lead. Bayley Smeath then had a strong shot saved but a corner to Alphington led to an unfortunate own goal. Two goals down so early in the match, could have caused the Warriors to let their heads drop, but instead they battled hard and dominated the first half. Cory Holman's shot went just over the post but it was Will Deacon who eventually got the goal they so deserved. Oliver Rowe almost brought the scores level when he hit the near post a moment later.

The second half saw both teams miss chances but Pinhoe put together some good passes and defended doggedly. Mid way through the half Oliver Rowe chipped the ball over the heads of the Alphington defence, their goalkeeper couldn't quite hold it, and substitute, Josh Chalmers, tapped it neatly into the back of the net. The score remained level at the end of time with the Warriors aware that they had put on a determined and gritty performance.

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