Age Group Manager - Mark Alcock
Assistant Manager - Ben Joyce
Belper Town Juniors Under 8 Black Sox 2008/2009
Squad - Billy Alcock, Charlie Joyce, Max Martin, Josh Barnes, Robbie Armstead, Edward Clark, Tom Barker, Oliver Turner, Kailhas Gurung - Markham, Oli Hill.
Belper Town Juniors Under 8's would like to thank Buildbase, our sponsors for all their support.
Black Sox were looking to continue their unbeaten record with this week’s game against Riverside Blues. Managers Mark Alcock and Ben Joyce named the side with Oliver Turner in goal with Max Martin and today’s Captain Charlie Joyce in defence. The midfield was Robbie Armstead, Ted Clark and Josh Barnes with Billy Alcock starting up front. Substitutes for the day were Oli Hill, Kailhas Gurung-Markham and Tom Barker.
A strong wind helped Black Sox build some early pressure with some shots from Billy Alcock and Ted Clark going close. Max Martin and Charlie Joyce started strongly in defence dealing with some Riverside attacks and protecting Oliver Turner in goals. Black Sox continued to threaten Riverside’s goal and looked likely to open the scoring first. Riverside won a throw in well in to Black Sox half and helped by some slack marking got behind Black Sox, but Oliver Turner superbly saved a strong shot. The Black Sox midfield was working very hard - Josh and Robbie kept driving forwards with Ted Clark doing some excellent work breaking up Riverside’s possession and linking up with Billy Alcock to start some flowing moves. Robbie Armstrong swung a Black Sox corner into the danger zone, which Riverside tried to clear but it broke to Billy Alcock who tucked his first time shot into the corner to give Black Sox the lead.
Black Sox continued to press forwards and Billy Alcock won a free kick just on the left edge of the penalty area. Billy Alcock thundered the free kick against the far post and it bounced away to safety. Robbie Armstead then broke forwards from midfield and his accurate pass found Billy Alcock out on the right wing, who cut inside and shot across the keeper into the goal to make it 2-0.
Black Sox made some changes at half time bringing on Oli Hill, Kailhas Gurung-Markham and Tom Barker. From the halftime kick off Black Sox were playing into the wind and back on the attack testing Riverside. Black Sox were soon pushed back with some pressure from Riverside who were now helped by the wind and pressing further up the field. The pressure soon got Riverside back into the game when their striker received a pass beyond the Black Sox defence and fired past Oliver to make it 2-1.
Black Sox showed their character again as they pressed forwards; Billy Alcock picked the ball up on the left side of midfield and slotted a pass between defenders to Kailhas. He returned a pass to Billy who laid it off to Oli Hill who shot first time and beat the keeper to get his first goal of the season and restore Black Sox’s 2 goal lead again. Well done Oli !
With 10 minutes to go, Black Sox made further changes, bringing back on Ted Clark and Josh Barnes to replace Charlie Joyce and Robbie Armstead. Ted Clark slotted into Defence with Tom Barker and Josh Barnes joined Oli Hill and Kailhas in midfield. Kailhas was enjoying success breaking out of Black Sox half and getting the ball up to Billy Alcock who kept threatening Riverside’s goal. Riverside continued to work the Black Sox defence hard and got a 2nd goal, which was very similar to their first. Riverside’s striker got himself beyond Black Sox defence again in a 1 on 1 with Oliver Turner who could do nothing to keep the strikers shot out. With 5 minutes to go Max Martin came back on to give Billy a well-earned rest and Black Sox closed the game out to win 3-2.
Billy Alcock 2
Oli Hill 1
Man of the Match – Ted Clark
For a good game in midfield in the first half and then in defence for the last 10 minutes. Some strong work, breaking up Riverside attacks and starting Black Sox back on the offensive.
Well done Ted
We started off a lot better than the last 2 games and got into the game quickly. We had lots of attacks in the first half and defended well when we had too. I think we were better value than just 2 goals before half time as we came very close on several occasions. We continued to look threatening in the 2nd half and could have added more to the 3rd goal. Riverside played well and with the benefit of playing downwind, pulled a couple of goals back when we let their danger player get behind us twice. I think we were stronger than the score line suggested, all the boys did very well and can be proud of another strong performance, remaining unbeaten before our two-week break.
Lets keep working hard and learning at training so that when we start back against Spondon Rovers we are positive and continue the fantastic start, not only in results but in the way everyone is playing and developing.
WELL DONE BOYS!
Billy Alcock 12
Robbie Armstead 7
Ted Clark 6
Josh Barnes 5
Tom Barker 1
Oli Hill 1
Belper Town Black Sox U8 V Mackworth St Francis - 12th October 2008
After last weeks draw Black Sox were looking to continue their unbeaten record with this weeks game against Mackworth St Francis. Manager Mark Alcock named his side with Oliver Turner in goal, Max Martin and Tom Barker in defence, Charlie Joyce, Billy Alcock and today’s Captain Ted Clark filling the midfield with Robbie Armstead up front. Substitutes for the day were Oli Hill, Kailhas Gurung-Markham and Josh Barnes.
Black Sox started well and nearly make an instant impact on Mackworth with a shot from Billy Alcock being saved by the keeper. From the goal kick Mackworth were quickly down the pitch and pressing the defensive duo Max Martin and Tom Barker, the move ended in a great save by keeper Oliver Turner. Black Sox were soon defending again with Mackworth winning consecutive corners and were kept in the game with two more great saves from Oliver Turner keeping out good shots. Black Sox had to dig deep with Charlie Joyce, Billy Alcock and Ted Clarke having to provide extra support for the defence.
Black Sox fighting spirit started to shine through as they started to press into Mack worth’s half and with only 5 minutes of the first half left Black Sox were awarded a throw in on the half way line. Ted Clarke’s quick thinking throw to Billy Alcock enabled him to find the unmarked Robbie Armstead in the box, who fired home Black Sox first goal of the day. Mackworth were not to give up and fired another shot at Oliver Turner whose dominance of his area and safe hands kept Black Sox in front. With half time only a minute away Billy Alcock was able to turn on the keeper with some fancy footwork and fire a shot from a very tight angle into the far corner of the net. Black Sox had secured a 2-0 lead into half time.
Ben Joyce was heard to have said “Pheww I don’t know what I am panicking for”.
Black Sox made some changes at half time bringing on Oli Hill, Kailhas Gurung-Markham and Josh Barnes. From the half time kick off Mackworth were back on the attack testing Max Martin and Kailhas, and a shot from Mackworth hit the post and was then sent wide by one of their attackers. However, Black Sox started to pass the ball around well and soon found themselves back in Mackworth’s final third. A late tackle on Billy Alcock resulted in a free kick for him that the Mackworth goalkeeper managed to gather at the 2nd attempt. The Black Sox third goal soon came after a long goal kick from Oliver Turner found Billy Alcock who managed to turn his defender and from a tight angle lob it over the oncoming keeper into the far corner.
Mackworth did not seem to pose any threat for the Black Sox defence as Kailhas, Ollie Hill and Max Martin continued to press into Mackworth’s half.
Black Sox confidence was now growing as Josh Barnes took a great run down the line beating two defenders only to be saved by the anxious Mackworth Keeper. The Black Sox onslaught continued with another great run by Billy Alcock who found Ted Clark clear in the box and Ted prodded home to provide the fourth of the day.
Mackworth started to press and try and get back into the game. During some pressure, a shot bounced loose in the box and Max Martin provided a goal line clearance to keep the score at 4-0.
Mackworth were desperate to get one back on Black Sox and soon found their opening as a long kick caught Black Sox off guard. Three Black Sox defenders failed to deal with the bouncing kick and an unmarked Mackworth forward latched onto the ball first to fire past Oliver from close range for their first goal of the day.
Black Sox made further changes, bringing back on Robbie Armstead and Tom Barker to replace Billy Alcock and Ted Clark for a well earned rest. Robbie soon found himself back in a scoring position. With two minute to go Kailhas was quick on the ball in the Mackworth half and was able to get a pass through to Robbie who fired a shot away. The keeper fumbled it and Robbie’s shot rolled safely into the back of the net giving Black Sox a 5-1 win
Goal Scorers -
Billy Alcock 2
Robbie Armstead 2
Ted Clark
Man of the Match A very close call - could have been Billy Alcock for 2 quality finishes but it had to go to Oliver Turner for some really outstanding saves in the first half that kept his team in the match.
Well done Oliver.
This was a game of two halves! We started off very slowly and seemed a little apprehensive, struggling to deal with a Mackworth side that was trying harder and winning a lot of the ball. We let them get beyond our defence several times and it was only some really excellent goalkeeping from Oliver that kept Mackworth from taking the lead. After 15 minutes we woke up and the 2 excellent goals before half time lifted the boys.
I feel we had most of the play in the second half and our skill and pressure took us 4 goals up. Mackworth did have a couple of good chances and some indecision in our area enabled Mackworth to grab a goal back. The 5th goal was just rewards for the boys efforts.
All the boys did very well and can be proud of another strong performance after the slow start. I think they just like to let Oliver get his hands warmed during the first 10 minutes!
WELL DONE BOYS!
Billy Alcock 10
Robbie Armstead 7
Ted Clark 6
Josh Barnes 5
Tom Barker 1
Belper Town Black Sox U8 V Heanor Juniors - 5th October 2008
Following on from recent good results, Belper Town Black Sox looked to extend their 3 straight wins against Heanor Juniors. Manager, Mark Alcock picked Oliver Turner in goals, Max Martin & Tom Barker provided the defensive pairing, with this week’s Captain Josh Barnes, Billy Alcock and Ted Clark in midfield. The lone striker was Robbie Armstead. The substitutes for today’s match were Charlie Joyce, Oli Hill and Kailhas Gurung-Markham
From the kick off Black Sox were put on the defensive with Heanor testing Max Martin & Tom Barker who remained steady in defence breaking down a number of early Heanor breaks. Keeper Oliver Turner was called into action twice in the first 8 minutes and had to make two fantastic saves to keep Black Sox from conceding early goals. However, there was nothing he could do to prevent a Heanor goal coming on 10 minutes. Heanor won an unforced corner, which bounced loose in the area and as 3 Black Sox players looked on, a Heanor striker reacted first and poked it home to make the score 1-0. Black Sox were looking the better passing side and Billy Alcock and Robbie Armstead worked hard up front and earned a series of corners. These were taken with some accuracy by Billy but just evaded the attacking Black Sox forwards. Ted Clark and Josh Barnes were working hard in midfield to provide support for the defence and strikers but Black Sox could not find a way past a stubborn Heanor defence. The game was end to end and on another quick break Heanor were only denied by a goal line clearance by Max Martin. With half time approaching, Heanor were awarded a corner on the left, this was swung in and somehow managed to take a deflection, then squirm it’s way into the net giving Heanor a 2-0 half time lead and managers Mark and Ben having to earn their pay!
Black Sox made some changes at half time bringing on Charlie Joyce, Oli Hill and Kailhas Gurung-Markham. Black Sox started to pass the ball around very well and soon started to press forward on the Heanor defence. The pressure soon got Black Sox back into the match with an early goal by Josh Barnes. Good work on the left by Robbie who found Billy in the left wing position whose pinpoint cross picked out an unmarked Josh in the penalty area who calmly prodded home.
This gave the Black Sox renewed confidence and they began to dominate the match going close on several occasions through Billy Alcock & Robbie Armstead. The equaliser was only a matter of time and it came in similar fashion to their first. This time Kailhas found Josh Barnes whose slick pass found Billy Alcock who smashed in his 8th of the season to make the game 2 all.
Belper continued to press hard but could not find that elusive third goal, even with Robbie hitting the post, and the game ended in -
Belper Town Black Sox 2, Heanor Juniors 2.
Man of the Match - Oliver Turner for some outstanding saves in the first half that kept his team in the match.
This was a difficult game against a good Heanor side. Black Sox passed the ball well in the 1st half but Heanor were more committed than us and took a half time lead.
The boys had never been behind in a game and it took some positive talking from myself and Ben to convince the boys that they had plenty of goals in them and that they could still come back to win the game.
We dominated the second half with our skill and pressure pulling us level at 2-2. The boys continued to press to try and win the game but Heanor’s goal lived a charmed life and the game ended at 2-2.
After the disappointment of going in 2-0 down at half time, we were thrilled with the attitude, commitment and skill shown by the boys to turn the match around and remain unbeaten. That really says a lot about the boys character – WELL DONE!
Billy Alcock 8
Robbie Armstead 5
Ted Clark 5
Josh Barnes 5
Tom Barker 1
Black Sox were full of confidence after 2 good performances and started well. Black Sox were soon rewarded with an early 1st goal coming from a Robbie Armstead run and shot. Black Sox looked comfortable in possession and grabbed a 2nd when Ted Clark finished with a well-placed shot after a flowing attack. Khalsa were threatening on the break and Black Sox needed some attentive defending from Max Martin to keep Khalsa at bay. Khalsa grabbed a goal after pouncing on a loose throw from goalkeeper Oliver Turner to make it 2 –1. This only sparked Black Sox into another gear and they picked up 2 more goals before half time from Billy Alcock and Robbie Armstead grabbing his 2nd of the game.
Black Sox made some changes at half time bringing on Tom Barker into defence with Josh Barnes and Oli Hill coming into midfield. Black Sox were playing some really tidy football and kept pressing Khalsa back. Ted Clark grabbed his 2nd and made it 5- 1 following a strong run from Josh Barnes, which opened up the Khalsa defence. Billy Alcock scored 2 more to complete his hat-trick, the 1st curling it just inside the post and the 2nd coolly slotting past the keeper after a neat interchange on the edge of the box. Black Sox were dominating the game but Khalsa did make the defence to work hard at times and forced Oliver Turner into a couple of good saves. Josh Barnes was always a threat when running at Khalsa and won a free kick just outside the area after he was tripped. Josh then fired a great free kick past the wall and the keeper into the top corner to make it 8-1. Khalsa did pull another goal back after a scramble in the area and the ball broke to a Khalsa forward who neatly tucked it away just inside the post to make it 8-2.
Overall it was another strong performance from Black Sox with everyone playing well and contributing whether starting or coming on at halftime.
Man of the match - Max Martin for his commitment and excellent defensive work.
Goalscorers – Billy Alcock 3, Robbie Armstead 2, Ted Clark 2, Josh Barnes 1
Billy Alcock 7
Robbie Armstead 5
Ted Clark 5
Josh Barnes 4
Tom Barker 1
Black Sox started very lively, pressing high up the pitch and were soon rewarded with a 1st goal coming from a Robbie Armstead shot. Black Sox dominated possession playing really good football and more goals came quickly from Josh Barnes with 2 well-taken goals and an excellent 1st half hat trick from Ted Clark.
West Hallam pulled a goal back with a well-taken penalty that our excellent goalkeeper, Oliver Turner, got his fingertips to but just couldn’t tip it around the post.
Black Sox made some changes at halftime bringing on Max Martin and Tom Barker into defence. West Hallam started the 2nd half better and looked more organised but Black Sox soon added a 7th with Billy Alcock coolly converting from the penalty spot. Robbie Armstead added an 8th with a good shot from the right side of the area and Billy Alcock made it 9 after going past the last defender and slotting past the keeper. Tom Barker scored the 10th after pouncing onto a loose ball in the area. Black Sox could have had a few more goals with several efforts going close and Billy Alcock hit the post late in the 2nd half.
Overall it was an excellent performance with the trio of Billy Alcock, Robbie Armstead and Ted Clark controlling the game, Josh Barnes was lively and always a threat, Charlie, Kailhas, Max and Tom all defended well and got forwards at every opportunity. Oliver Turner had very little to do in goals but made good saves when he was called into action.
Well done to West Hallam who kept going and competed throughout the game.
Man of the match - Ted Clark for his excellent 1st half hat trick
Goalscorers – Ted Clark 3, Billy Alcock 2, Robbie Armstead 2, Josh Barnes 2, Tom Barker 1
Black Sox started their fixtures against a well-organised and strong Allestree side. Both sides started strongly and both keepers were called into action early on. Oliver Turner impressed, as he had to make a couple of excellent saves to keep Allestree out in the first 10 minutes. Belper went ahead after Billy Alcock broke past a couple of players down the right and after playing a neat 1-2 with Josh Barnes crossed for Robbie Armstead who smashed it home into the top corner.
Black Sox made some changes at halftime bringing on Charlie Joyce, Tom Barker and Oli Hill. Both sides were playing good football in a very tight and competitive game. Black Sox won a penalty after a shot was handled and Billy Alcock fired home the penalty into the top corner. Black Sox started to dominate after this and could have had a couple more goals with several players going close.
Everyone played and competed well in a very good performance against a good Allestree side. At times the boys played some really good football and the potential is there to have a good season.
Man of the match - Billy Alcock for his skill on the ball and being instrumental in driving the team forwards.
Goalscorers – Robbie Armstead 1, Billy Alcock 1
Pre-Season Friendly
Black Sox warmed up for their season against a very good Codnor side. Black Sox went ahead when Josh Barnes rounded the keeper and scored. The game was very tight and competitive and Codnor pulled a goal back through an excellent free kick, which flew into the top corner. Both sides pressed for a winner but Black Sox struck with 5 minutes to go through a left footed long range shot from George Hartshorn.
This was a very good, close game with 2 extremely competitive sides that both played good football throughout.
Thanks to Brian and his Codnor Boys for a great game and wish them all the best for the season ahead.
Goalscorers – Josh Barnes 1, George Hartshorn (guesting from Gold Sox) 1
Billy Alcock 4
Robbie Armstead 3
Josh Barnes 3
Ted Clark 3
Tom Barker 1