Killer soccer performances

Aiden and Evan both played football matches today - and it was just great.  Definitely the best game that I have ever seen Aiden play.  And you would be SURPRISED.  He has become delightfully acomplished; big strong attacking midfield general.  Great on the ball, great distribution, will also run, shoot, bully people off the ball, tackle hard.  A delight.  They drew 3-3 in a game that they should have lost; well into the second half they were down 1-2 and hanging on - plenty of shot on goal at their end; but also moments of attack inbetween.  Then a sudden surge, and they scored two quick goals to go one up.  But the other team equalized in the last move of the game with an absolutely cracking goal.  It was just such fun.

He has an array of deft touches; here he pops a little chip into the box for his striker to run onto.

My zoom lens is a bit stuffed, so is in the shop for repairs.  The little lens I have does not focus that quickly, so it was tough to take any pics of Aiden; Ev on the other hand I could focus on and then wait for the action to come his way, which it did in no uncertain terms.

Firstly, he was playing up an age group for the U-11 team.  So he was definitely smaller than most, though not all.  He was an absolute champ; weathered a veritable storm in a free shooting game - and kept a clean sheet bar one - which was a cross into a fairly open box to a player that was unmarked and right on him when he connected.  Other than that he absolutely bossed the box, and his team won 6-1.  Months of proper goalkeeper training are really starting to show.

For a start, his positional play in the box is exponentially better.  He's no longer rooted to his line, and really judges space and distance well.

Not sure if this is part of his coaching or not, but he adopts this stance when his goal is being attacked - makes himself big, big hands up.

A shot goes high, but he has it covered.

Major danger for those interested in fancy footwork on 50/50 ball in the box - flying Evan will connect with the ball and knock you down.

Eyes open, furious scowl, he's completely unflinching. Again the hands and the positioning - cutting down the angle at his near post - another solid save.

All in all the perfect Saturday morning for me.  Oscar was playing the game after Evan (he's also a keeper) so we saw Chris and Liza (not sure if you remember Liza - you met her a couple of times but a lot of years ago - like maybe 14 of them.

Ange was all smiles - even with the top of her head missing (and the general heart in mouth horror of having to watch Ev play keeper.  It is a bit nerve wracking).

Always love seeing Liza - big sunny human being, married to another big sunny human being.