The Under 7 team is for players who, from 1st September, will be in Year 2 at school. The team is managed by Bob Craft, assisted by coaches Matt Flint and Jon Haines. The new season is first opportunity for players to play against other local teams, the matches taking place on Sunday Mornings. Training is open to all abilities and new players are always welcome. Contact Bob on - 07905 285032
U7's Notice Board - News
AFC Lightening see match report below.
Next Match
Downley V Wendover Juniors 21st March KO 10.30 on the common
Bobs and Mats Teams to play. Bob willl be on an FA coaching course all weekend so Mat and John will be in charge at training, and checking availability for the match on Sunday.
Training
Training is every Saturday morning (during term time) on Downley common next to the cricket square. Sessions will start at 9:15 and end by 11:00. Training during the school holidays: Training will take place 1st Saturday of either the half term or end of term holidays and will resume on the 1st Saturday after school has reopened.
Passing and recieving Practice
now that the dynamos under 7's are getting to grips with ball control the focus for 2010 will be pasing and movement. Many adult players and even professionals have poor passing technique David Beckam has become one of the greatest passers of the ball through natural ability and practice.
foot position standing foot next to the ball pointing in the direction of the pass. Kicking foot turned out for a side foot pass
body alignment body twisted so that the shoulder on the standing foot side is pointing in the direction of the pass
receiving players receiving the ball should be moving on the balls of their feet ready to move in line with the pass
players should also be calling for the ball when receiving and looking to get eye contact between the passer and receiver. Sounds like a lot to learn but teams and players that can control the ball pass and move into space become better teams, better players and play better football.
short pass
Skills practice
The first building block of all football skills is ball control. This half term the under sevens will be concentrating on ball control and passing. Any under 7 who wants to improve thier game should practice these control drills as much as possible. Excellent passing and Shooting will only follow once ball control is mastered.
At the start of every session in the warm up we will continue the key control practice
- Foot tapping (knocking the ball back and forth with the inside of each foot)
- Drag backs (rolling the ball back towards you with the studs and stopping the ball with the laces part of the boot)
- Dribbling (moving the ball with the inside and outside of both feet taking as many small controlled touches all possible moving in all directions start of slowly )
- Turns The animations bellow show some of the turns we are practicing.
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Example: The outside cut turn
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Example: The Cruyff turn  |
Important Note to Parents:
The U7's training is not a drop and run, we ask that parents or guardians remain on the field for the session. You can pop to the Pavilion where you will find beverages, bacon rolls and other refreshements on sale. You can also find a selection of the club merchandise available to look at and purchase (see the "Club Shop" page for further information).
We also ask that your children are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions, it can be windy and cold on the pitch in winter, hat, gloves and tracksuits are a must.
If any parents / guardians are interested in helping out during training sessions or match days, please come and see one of the coaches (we will not hold you to helping every week but any assistance will be greatly received).
All players must wear shin guards for their own safety!
Match Fixtures
Due to league regulations we are unable to publish actual scores for this age group. (TBC = to be confirmed)
| Date | Venue | Apposing Team | Fixture | KO | |||
| Sunday 20th September 2009 |
Downley Common | Prestwood Colts & Loudwater FC | League | Played | |||
| Sunday 11th October 2009 |
Widmer End Rec |
Widmer End
|
League | Played | |||
| Sunday 18th October 2009 |
Downley Common | AFC Lightning | League | Played | |||
| Sunday 15th November 2009 |
Wendover C of E | Wendover Juniors | League | Played | |||
| Sunday 22nd November 2009 |
Downley Common | Penn & Tylers Green | League | Played | |||
| Sunday 6th December 2009 |
Hughenden | Hughenden FC |
League | canceled | |||
| 2010 Fixtures | |||||||
| Sunday 31st January | Widmer end | Widmer End | League | canceled | |||
| Sunday 14th February | Downley Common | Loudwater | League | canceled | |||
| Sunday 7th March | TBC | AFC Lightening | League | played | |||
| Sunday 21st March | Downley Common | Wendover Juniors | League | 10.30 | |||
| Sunday 28th March | TPC | Penn and Tylers Green | League | tbc | |||
| Sunday 11th April | Downley Common | Widmer End | League | 10.30 |
Latest Match Reports
Downley Dynamos V Prestwood Colts September 20th 2009
Downleys first fixture of the season was played on Downley common on a glorious late summer morning. All the players on both sides played extremely well especially taking into account the big occasion of their first competitive matches and large crowd.
Matts Downley team won both their matches with Charlie Flint scoring 3 goals and Ben Burton making four outstanding saves. Team coach Matt Flint did concede that both their matches could have gone either way but was very please with the way the whole team performed.
Team Coach Jon Haines team lost their first game after a tentative start all credit to Prestwood who put away there chances well, it was a game that was much closer than the score suggested. The second match saw Downley loosing again at half time even though the team did have chances to score including a great run by Mark Picking taking the ball the entire length of the pitch and just missing out in the penalty area. The second half saw a great fight back from Downley who kept Prestwood penned in their own half, capped by two great strikes by Jude Haines to level the match.
Downley Dynamos U7's v Prestwood
Thanks to all the players and coaches from Prestwood Colts
Downley Dynamos v Widmer End 11th October 2009
Downley visited Widmer end for their first ever away games.The Downley teams took early leads in both of the first games with Jude Haines continuing where he left off against Prestwood with a hat trick before half time,and Tom Davies confidently converting the under 7’s first ever penalty. On the other pitch dynamos were also up at half time with some great play from the whole team particularly Jack O Brien Ben and Kian. Both of the first two matches ended with Downley wins.
Unfortunately for Widmer End the second two matches went the same way. All the coaches where extremely proud of the way the Downley teams played with every player making a contribution. There was another first in the second matches, Adam Baker deserved his first competitive goal for a great performance. It was very difficult to pick exceptional performances as all the players did so well however Conner , Jack Ellis and Kian, showed fantastic commitment skill and enthusiasm. We also look to have a promising goal keeper developing in Adam Cuthbert who showed real promise. the results again 2 wins for Downley. Well done to all the players on both sides.
Downley Dynamos v A.F.C Lightening 18th October 2009
After the previous Sunday when Downley had scored over 30 goals in 4 mini league matches AFC Lightening arrived on Downley Common with an impressive record of 8 mini League Matches and 8 wins. It was clear from their early prompt arrival and well organized warm up that the AFC lightening where going to be no push over.This week it was Bob and Johns Teams turn to take to the field.
Bobs teams first half was edged by A.F.C Lightening who kept Downley penned in, with several corners .Downley defended superbly with real determination and half time came with AFC Lightening unable to make the most of their chances. The second half saw the same pattern but in reverse with Downley missing chance after chance to score whilst playing and passing the ball fantastically The Match ended in a goalless draw with both teams having played a standard of football of which they should be proud.
Johns team - played fantastically well in their first match and inflicted the first ever loss on an AFC Lightening team. Jude again scored 2 goals and played well however in a fantastic team performance Johns men of the match where Josh Daniel Smith and Theo who played and defended exceptionally well. Again all the players on both sides played great football, and all the parents and coaches should be very proud of all the players.
So What a couple of games to start the day AFC Lightening teams had both played well but found themselves have lost and drawn their first ever games.
The second of Bobs teams matches started well for Downley with some great passing moves, with Charlie ,Tom Craft and Nathan all over the pitch. Downley pushed forward trying to make there good work produce a goal. They found an A.F.C Lightening team determined not to concede At half time the scores were level. The second half saw some incredibly mature footballing performances and a great goal against the run of play from A.F.C Lightening. The Downley team showed amazing determination to score met by equal determination from AFC Lightening to defend with a great display by there goal keeper. However hard they tried Downley could not score even the last kick of the game was a great shot from Tom Craft met by an unbelievable save. Well done AFC Lightening a great win. well done Downley an absolutely great performance every single player could have been man of the match but over the two games Conner Thurston Proved a rock in defense, in two matches where Downley at times threw caution to the wind in two great attacking performances.
Johns second match was again very close with great passing particularly by Jed who has shown great dribbling ability and in this match started to add passing to his game not to mention another goal to add to the one he scored in the first game. The team again defended fantastically with Daniel Smith showing great determination in defense Downley couldn’t avoid conceding two goals however in another very close match in which every played was a credit to themselves.
In Summery Sunday really was a day when football was the winner all the players were winners and the coaches would like to thank the players for making them feel that our efforts are starting to show and the talent of all the kids is starting to come out. well done. everyone involved on both sides!
Wendover Juniors v Downley Dynamos Sunday 15th November 2009
Johns team - After a very wet start to the weekend Downley were pleased to be playing a match which we feared may have been canceled. By half time in Johns team we were starting to wish the game had been called off. Wendover Juniors centre forward had bagged a hat trick. The team were performing well below the standard of play in other matches but great credit to Wendover who had completely dominated the first 10 minutes. At half time as manager and referee Bob was starting to worry about reporting a score into double figures. John was getting the team re motivated and re organized. A change in personal saw Tom Craft arrive on the pitch to hear the referee whisper in his ear don't stop running and score a goal for your old man. Within five minutes he had put two in the back of the net with the assistance of Jude, it looked like a come back could be on the cards as the team showed what they were really capable of particularly Daniel Smith who was Johns man of the match making some great tackles in defense. Unfortunately for Downley Wendover doubled there lead again with two late goals to inflict the under 7s worst defeat so far. Not great, as far as the result, but brilliant in the way the team bounced back after being outplayed in the first half.
The second match was overall a much more even affair with a first half long range shot from Wendover separating the teams. Again Daniel stood out for his tackling and Jude was desperately unlucky to hear the ref blow for an injury just as he was through on goal . Alex Ferguson would have burst a blood vessel if the referee in his match had clapped one of the teams, But a great stop from Frankie with four attackers clear through had everyone applauding. Another loss but against a good team and only one goal in it.
Mats team - Mats team faired better in there first game an infringement in the box had the referee blowing for a penalty kick. Adam Cuthbert faced the ball and saw the opportunity to be a dynamos hero which he literally took with both hands making a great save. Jack O Brian also deserves a mention for a goal and competitive performance. The team shaded it by a single goal, good result against a good team.
The next match saw an unusual scene not often witnessed with a Downley player taking a Wendover corner for them. The match was very close and could easily have gone either way. Wendover were to be the victors by a single goal. Mats star players were penalty hero Adam Cuthbert Kian for another solid performance out on the pitch.
Downley Dynamos v Penn & Tylers Green 22nd November 2009
Bobs team - 1st Match - Bobs team started brightly with some great passing moves between Nathan and Tom C as always Conner and Daniel S where solid in defence within 3 minutes Tom had scored with Nathan’s help. Penn and Tylers were determined that they would be no push overs and came back with great shot from outside the box. More pressure from the Downley mid field with Jack E, Tom D winning the ball and passing up the field for another Downley Goal scored by Nathan.
By half time the rain had started and a quick change round saw Alfie and Josh subbed on and Jack and Daniel leave the pitch after good performances. Both teams played well in the second half with Freddie doing well in the Downley Goal and Penn and Tylers pushing to level the match. Downley were the victors in a close thought battle that could have easily ended in a draw. By the end of the match the rain was verging on torrential.
2nd Match - The second game very nearly didn't get started as the rain was falling heavily but after a quick check with the Penn and Tylers coaches and some of the parents it was agreed to carry on and hope the rain would leave off. The match began with both teams playing well despite the weather with both teams having chances to score. Freddie who was frozen to the bone in the first match and Josh volunteered to go in goal he was beaten by a solid shot from Penn and Tylers green. the last 5 minutes saw Downley unable to beat a very good goal keeper who made 3 outstanding saved. Unfortunately the close game had to be abandoned at half team as the players ran out off steam in terrible conditions. Two very close matches in the worst conditions we have seen, we have agreed to have a friendly re match on a date to be confirmed.
(Picture Caption - Pass it to me!!!)
Mats Team - First match - Mats team started brightly passing and moving the ball well with Kian getting into good positions but not quite getting the ball in the net it took some really good stops from the Penn goal keeper to keep the game even. Its not just the goal scorers that count Charlie and Kian both netted well. Both goals were set up by passes from Adam B who is improving week by week and made his best performance so far and showed its not just the goal scorers that count .We usually would pick our man of the match from the Downley team however on this occasion the award must go to the Penn and Tylers Green goal keeper who was outstanding and deserves much of credit for the Penn win.
Second match - Swimming trucks would have been a better bet at the start of the second game as the heavens drenched the players. Downley were still more than interested in coming back after the disappointment of the first game. All the players played fantastically well in terrible and were unlucky to go a goal down, not dispirited by the goal or the weather the team pushed on and leveled the game after dominating possession and forcing 6 or 7 corners. As with Bobs team the match was abandoned at half time with scores level. Again a match in which the Penn goalkeeper was outstanding.
(Above) Mat's team warming up in the wet
Downley v AFC Lightening 7th March
At last the first match of 2010 and a good one in prospect against a club who had provided stiff opposition on our last meeting. Two players couldn't make the match we missed Frankie due to illness and on a happy note Theo who's Mum Jo had a baby boy Jonah on Sunday Morning. Congratulations to the Youens Family.
Bob team
match 1
This game has very evenly contested with both teams having chances to score. Downley edged the possession but could not force a goal with Lightening defending fantastically. When Lightening did attack Freddie Nicholls played the ball back out of defense beautifully and earned the man of the match for great play. Jack Ellis was also playing in defense for the first time and stayed in position for the whole match a great effort for the team. Ben Burton made a great save in the second half pushing the ball around the post, a chip of the old block. In the end neither team could score which was a fair result, both teams put in a great effort and some good football was played by both sides.
Match 2
After a great display in the first match the second game started with Downley under constant pressure unable to clear there lines for a good 5 minutes. Lightening couldn't make the most of the pressure and when Downley did clear Nathan Donovan had a shot which the goalie almost kept out, but crept over the line. Downley now had the upper hand and Tom Craft managed to get one on one in the penalty area and from our angle looked to be pushed of the ball, the ref waved the appeals away, and at half time Downley were just ahead. In the second half Lightening produced a great goal which looped over Harry's head. Harry had no chance and had a fine game in goal. Downley pushed forward and peppered the goal mainly from distance, Lightening continued to defend well. Eventually Tom had a shot which the goal keeper saved and then fumbled for an own goal. Another great match which Downley just about deserved to win bad luck Lightening. Well done everyone.
Coach's MOTM : Freddie Nicholls
JOHNS TEAM .
Johns team Match 1
Considering this was Downley's first game for many weeks they could have been excused for starting off slowly but this definitely wasn't the case. Quite the opposite in fact, as they had their opponents on the back foot right from the kick off!
Downley were playing some wonderful football with Charlie proving a real handful and ably assisted by the impressive Jude & Jed up front. Their pressure was finally rewarded after 5 mins when Charlie went past 2 opponents and blasted the ball past the keeper to put Downley 1-0 up.
Further chances came with Josh in the middle of the pitch running his socks off to assist the front players and Jude causing problems with his mazy runs.
AFC had a couple of breakaway chances but Daniel & Mark were rock solid at the back and very little got past them and when it did, Jack dealt with everything comfortably in goal.
Half Time
The second half saw a change with Jude replacing Jack in goal. AFC started really well and put a lot more pressure on the team but despite a lot of possession the Downley defence were comfortably still on top. Downley were also breaking well with Charlie & Jed again causing the opposition lots of problems and Jack & Josh holding the midfield together well with some great tackling.
After 17 mins Downley's fine performance was rewarded further when they broke away and Charlie scored his second goal from an acute angle after rounding the keeper. By now the passing and link up play between all the players was very impressive and a joy to watch.
Coach's MOTM : Charlie Flint
Johns Team Match 2
Downley again started very strongly and had their opponents on the back foot from the off. The link up play between Charlie, Josh, Jude & Jed was again a joy to watch and they were rewarded after 4 mins with a goal... Josh won the ball and laid it off to Charlie who then played in Jed who hit his shot first time past the keeper. It was a fantastic goal enjoyed by all.
Jude was having a great game and causing the opposition many problems with his running, dribbling and passing. He also took a couple of cracking corners which deserved a goal in itself! AFC also had their chances but again some fantastic tackling by Mark, Daniel & Charlie meant that Jack didn't have too much to do in goal.
Downley also had a shout for a penalty at the end of the half when Charlie was brought down but the Referee was having none of it. A whip round for some Specsavers vouchers me thinks! J
Half Time
The second half saw Jack come out of goal and was initially replaced by Charlie and then later by Mark.
This was a lot more even a half with both teams having their chances. Josh had a good effort from distance which drew a fine save from their keeper. At the other end Mark & Daniel again didn't put a foot wrong and dealt with everything admirably that came their way. Charlie was again very influential all over the pitch with the opposition finding it hard to get the ball off of him and Jude & Jed were having good games with some great forward runs and link up play. Josh & Jack again broke up play with some great tackling to frustrate their opponents.
Coach's MOTM : Mark Pickering
Both games produced a great performance from Downley against a strong AFC Lightning team who have had some very impressive results this season. Considering this was Downley's first game for quite some time the standard of football they produced was very impressive.
Every player played superbly and it was a real team effort.
Charlie, Jed & Jude ran their socks off and gave the AFC defence a real tough game with their great dribbling and passing.
Josh & Jack were very solid in midfield and won so many tackles to thwart the opposition.
Daniel & Mark really didn't put a foot wrong in defence with some excellently timed tackles and great clearances.
The 3 keepers used were very solid and assured and never looked like conceding a goal.
Well done Downley!
Team Pictures
The under 7s - (Under 6s - 08/09 season)
