Tean Rangers Under 11s
On a lovely weekend Tean finished their Potteries Mini Soccer Division One campaign with a couple of fixtures; at home to Potters United on Saturday and away at Blurton on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday morning saw Tean take the game to Potters but they were met by a resolute defence and when the defence was beaten they were then frustrated by the woodwork. Adam Tanner was first to suffer when he struck the bar with a solid header and just minutes later, Will Carney hit a bullet off a shot that flew off the bar and Potters drew a sigh of relief as they got to half time all square.
The second half saw Tean remain on top. Dan Harper delivered numerous quality set pieces that deserved a goal and finally the goal came in the 24th minute when the persistence of Carney resulted in him finding some space before hitting a powerful shot that took a deflection to give his side a well deserved 1-0 victory.
Game two followed a similar pattern and after 5 minutes good work by Carney culminated in a cross from the right that was nonchalantly struck first time from the edge of the area by Tanner for his 10th of the season; a lovely finish. Tean appeared to be in total control but on the stroke of half time they were dealt a blow when hesitant defending allowed the Potters striker time and space to grab an equaliser.
The second half saw Tean encamped in the Potters half as they looked for the winner, however they had to beat an excellent keeper who was in fantastic form. He twice denied Carney with brilliant reflex saves but was beaten in the 21st minute when Macauley Rowe received the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal; he then turned his marker and hit a powerful shot in to the bottom corner. Tean pushed for the security of a third goal and despite being awarded a penalty for handball on the line, the goal wouldn’t come and in the final minute the boys were grateful to keeper Declan Unsworth when he flew off his line to avert danger and secure another 3 points.

Sunday afternoon saw Tean travel to take on cup finalists Blurton Lions. On a big pitch Tean were encouraged to play football and use the space, but they were repeatedly frustrated by the long grass that made flowing football very difficult.
The first game was something of a stalemate with the ball remaining in the middle of the park and whenever either team pushed forward, defences remained on top.
Jacob Campbell, Andy Coxon, James Shakeshaft and Jack Pyatt gave excellent protection to keeper George Webb and it was no surprise when the game finished goalless.
In the second game the boys were encouraged to play a more direct style of football and use the skill and pace of strikers Carney and Jack Pattinson.
This approach paid dividends as the front two combined well with wide men Harper and Tanner. In the 8th minute, Tean took the lead when a period of concerted pressure resulted in the ball striking the woodwork before a Rowe effort came off the keeper and into the net for a well deserved opener. This goal gave Tean further encouragement and the final 20 minutes were a joy to watch.
Whilst Pattinson and Carney ran the back line ragged, Harper and Tanner got through all the hard work out wide and with Macauley Rowe working relentlessly in the centre the second goal was only a matter of time. After 20 minutes, Pattinson played in Carney and although he appeared to be too far wide he struck a fierce shot in the bottom corner for his 10th of the season.
Whenever Blurton pushed to get a goal back they were repelled by the excellent Coxon, Shakeshaft and Campbell. Jake Campbell being particularly impressive in the air, as he won everything in his confident and uncompromising manner.
Final score 2-0.

This final weekend saw Tean gather a fantastic 10 points and secure the minimum of a 5th place finish in Division One.
This has been an excellent season and continues four years of continual progression throughout mini soccer and can only stand the boys in good stead as next season they enter the new era of the 11 a side game.