Really positive start to the new season for the lads in sweltering conditions against an organised Charvil side. The boys took some time to get used to the conditions and increased numbers on the pitch and showed in a scrappy opening half. Charvil causing problems to our defence with our high line, Haydn and Alfie marshalled their line brilliantly to sit deeper and avoid being sprung. Hats off to the back four and Eliot though, they dealt with it great and the trust already in Eliot from the defence was clear for all to see, passing back to him regularly to clear the lines!
After the first water break, the boys came out with new energy and with Archie coming on up front alongside Harrison and Ollie P slotting in to central midfield, we started to take control. Archie in particular knitting the play together and working so hard off the ball along with Ollie P getting around the pitch and pushing the team forward and Frankie protecting the back 4. Some nice play started to develop and pushing Charvil further back but they soaked up the pressure until half time and a well deserved break for all the players!
The second half started in the same vein, Rudy & Zouma on the wings starting to find some joy against their opposite defender, Rudy really making some inroads and getting the ball in to the box. Zouma, as always with his ability to run at the defender and get in to the box and a few chances to open the scoring but some good defending kept him out. We unfortunately lost Ollie B to an injury during this period on his return to the side, but the boys would not let off and after one of Zouma's attempts that ended in a corner, a quite brilliant corner from Oskar was met superbly by Harrison to glance in to the far corner! A goal that would never look out of place in the Premier League!
The lads kept pushing but the heat started to tell and Charvil almost got through but Haydn and Alex combining to clear off the line and away from goal but one more break away by Charvil that was eventually bundled home to get them level, there wasn't enough time to push for a winner and eventually the game ended all square.
A really positive start for the boys and something to definitely build on for the season! Well done to Kaden, Savain, Eliot & Frankie on their full debuts, really strong performance from all in difficult conditions.

Magic Moment: Harrison's fantastic header to give us the lead
MOTM: Archie - Quite brilliant work rate when he came on, made a real nuisance of himself against the defenders and could have got a couple of goals to go with the performance on another dayhh