Well the first year of the B teams venture into 11 a-side has come to an end and how ever you want to look at it be it, be it a good or bad one, it was definitely a learning curve.  Cup games against very strong sides, official referees, off side, big pitches and big goals only some of the things to get used to at 11 a-side football.  All that said the team finished the season with some wins and losses and at times some great performances.

The team had a number of changes moving from soccer 7’s to 11a-side and it meant losing a number of well established B team players to the A team and the merging of the remaining B & C teams.  That said the team coped well and with some new players they played some good football in the first few games.  The team grew in confidence and put together a few good and convincing wins.  The team finished mid table at the end of the season and the management team are confident that that can be improved upon next season. 

Two players are leaving at the end of the season and they are Lewis Twine and Aiden Golledge.  Lewis has been at Headstone Manor for 6 years and has decided to try his hands at other things and we all wish him the best in whatever he takes up next.  Aiden has only been with us one season but has made many friends in that year and again we wish him the best.

There were a number of tournaments entered this year and as ever the team seem to do well at these.  Going out as far as reading andMilton Keynes, out of 6 tournaments the team made two quarter finals, a semi final and were runners up in two plate finals.  Both finals were lost by a 1-0 score line. Not a bad achievement over all.

Although losing two players the B team will be strengthened next season by the return to the B team from the A’s of defender Luke Heslin and another defender who has moved from the A team Ben Brown.  Both are strong additions to the team and we are sure they will make a difference in the goals against column.

Awards for the season were as follows.

Managers Player - Liam Rawson

Players Player – Ethan James

Most Improved – Matthew Cranny

Most Dedicated Person – Roy Twine

And finally an end of season note from the manager Aaqil

The transition from 7 a-side to 11 a-side has been a tough one but ultimately successful.  The B team lost players at the end of last season, all of them starters and integrating a handful of new players and bringing on some of last seasons fringe players, has been a roller coaster of a task but one that has created a new team spirit amongst the boys.

The first season has seen the boys develop their positional sense and a mixture of wins and losses has ensured the season is one we can all be satisfied with.

Next season we should be in a position to build on this step into the world of 11 a-side football.  I expect if we can keep the nucleus and add a few extra players that next season will be when this team flourishes and kicks on.

All in all a year of work in progress and one the boys can be proud of.