Lets get caught up a bit, shall we? So this is my second week at Holloway Secondary School. I am coaching in the school with a fellow gapper, Rupen. Basically we take over P.E. sessions that are either an hour or two hours long and coach football. The fortunate children we coach (both girls and boys) range in ages and skill level. But, seeing as how we are a sports college (not college like in the U.S.), we get a lot of top talent. Many of these kids are on the books for great clubs like Charlton, Millwall, Arsenal, and Chelsea. There a couple at Tottenham as well.
Yesterday I had a great session with the Year 11 boys. They responded really well to our training and were switched on the entire time. But what really made it was the match at the end, it was great. I think it ended 5-2, it was so back and forth, great banter, and some cracking goals were scored (complete with cracking celebrations).
I also coached my first real match yesterday, it was a friendly between our Year 8 and 9 boys. My mate Rupen had the Year 9s and I had the Year 8s. My group turned out to be half way decent, in terms of behavior. They are a fun group to be around, with out a doubt. But anyways, back to the match.
It was pouring down with rain, much like it had been all friggen day. I sent them out and they held their own, that is for sure. I thought we had the better of the play and chances overall. In the first half we created some chances with a few decent balls into the area. Our wing play was excellent! Especially Tosin (a cocky little bugger), our left winger. He is a bit of a premadonna, never tracks back. You know the type. We went down 1-0 and replied with an equalizer that I missed because two of my lads were about to have a punch up on the sideline. I wasn’t pleased, but at least we were level! Second half, we went down again 2-1, really unfortunately. I have this little Italian kid in goal and even though he’s only 3 foot, he made some truly unbelievable saves. That little kid covered that full sized goal better than most of the keepers I have ever played with. Deep into the second half, we turned it up and put them under a lot of pressure. Shots were flying in left and right, we had them pinned back. I made a few changes, trying to shake up the pack a bit. I sent on Carl, who had impressed up top in the first half with a few good passes, and took off our captain Rashane. The pressure contined, we had a shot cleared off the line and then we bagged it. It was a dipping shot into the far top corner, on the half volley, by who? Carl. All 5 of my subs rushed the pitch to mug him after it went in, what a result!
Back in the changing room, I told the lads they were shit. Haha. They got a kick out of that. I was pleased with them though and I let them know it.
On the way out I got, “Three cheers for the gaffer!”
The beginning of what I hope is an illustrious management career, haha.
