Under 10 - Norfolk Youth Football Combination

Horsford Tournament – Sunday 2nd May 2010

The Team – Archie, Billy, Harrison, Jake, Jamie, Lewis, Harry and Callum

It was an early start on what can only be described as a typical bank holiday weekend, wet and windy.  Nevertheless it was a great turnout and a very well organised event. 

Taverham Tigers started the tournament by winning every game in the group stages and only conceded one goal.  Tigers went through to the Semi final as winners of their group where they met the tournament hosts Horsford.  This turned out to be a thrilling game and with no goals scored for either team the game went into extra time, it was then when Taverham Tigers scored the goal to win the game to secure a play in the final.  It was Taverham v Drayton in the final and the game was
exciting and full of surprises with both teams throwing everything into it.  Taverham were in the lead   winning 2-0 when Drayton scored two goals making the score 2-2, Taverham scored again to make the score 3-2, however the game was not over and Drayton came back 3-3. The game
went into extra time and by the time the final whistle was blown Taverham Tigers were winning 6-3.  What an exciting final. 

Well done boys you did us all proud again, a great result, first tournament and you came away with the winner’s trophy. Well done Archie you thoroughly deserved Man of the tournament for the fantastic saves you pulled off in the final.

END OF SEASON REPORT

We have come to the end of another fantastic season, and would like to take the opportunity to say a massive well done to all the boys who play for Taverham Tigers, they have played really well all season and
have adapted brilliantly to playing together as a team, with many of them trying out new positions throughout the season and never once complaining. They are a pleasure to watch and all their supporters are very proud of them.  This has been a challenging season at times with some great football teams in this league, therefore finishing runners is a great achievement although parents and grandparents always knew
they could do it and never stopped believing in them.     

I’m sure the boys would like to say a big thank you firstly to Jamie and Terry for coaching them, secondly to Mark for helping out at training, and lastly to all the parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters for giving up their weekends to come along to every match to support them.

We are now excited and looking forward to the new challenges that lay ahead in next season when we start playing 11 a side.

Thursday 22nd April 2010

TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 3 - DRAYTON U10's 1

For the final 2 fixtures of the campaign Taverham Tigers took on Drayton and Sprowston for an unusual evening fixture. The 2 games could not have been more important for Tigers who needed 4 points from the 2
games to guarantee runners up spot in the league and with anxious parents and grandparents looking on the boys did not disappoint.  Lewis was the first to test the Drayton keeper who made a good save to deny
Tigers taking an early lead. They were not to be denied moments later however when Lewis broke free down the right wing to pull the ball back for Harry to finish with a smartly taken shot on his right foot.  It
was all Tigers but they were caught napping shortly before the break when Drayton hit them on the break and while Archie made a good save the ball kindly fell to a Drayton player who slotted the ball home.

Half Time Score Taverham 1 – Drayton 1

Taverham were quickly off the mark after the break when Harry sent in an inviting cross that Jamie controlled before firing Tigers back in front.  Tigers pushed for the all important third goal and it was
defender Harrison who almost scored it with a long range effort that was just inches over the crossbar.  Tigers were not to be denied however when Lewis and Jake combined well on the left wing to create
the opening for Harry to score his second and Tigers third and with it all 3 points.

Full Time Score Taverham 3 – Drayton 1

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TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 1  Sprowston U 10's 0

With just a point required Tigers started nervously and it needed a good save from Archie to prevent Sprowston taking an early lead.  Taverham opened the scoring with their first attack of the game when
a   Lewis corner was turned into his own net by a Sprowston defender.

Half Time Score Taverham 1 – Sprowston 0

After the break Tigers looked to extend their advantage but the Sprowston keeper pulled off 2 great saves to deny Harry and then Jake, while a cheeky flick from George was just wide of the post.  Sprowston
stepped the game up after the break but both Billy and Harrison were in fine form at the back as Tigers held onto their slender advantage.  Tigers finished the stronger and in stoppage time George was denied by
the upright.

Full Time Score Taverham 1 – Sprowston 0

Man of the Match went to Harrison for his superb performance in both games – Well done Harrison.

The six points was more than they needed to finish runners up to Scole and the boys received a rousing reception from both parents and grandparents for a job well done not just on the night but for an
outstanding season.

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Sunday 27th March 2010

TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 2 MULBARTON U10's 0

Taverham needed to take 6 points from today’s games if they are to finish runners up in the league to runaway winners Scole, and they started the game against Mulbarton in the best possible way when Jamie fired home a free kick after Lewis was brought down just outside the box.

Lewis was involved yet again moments later when he beat his man to send in an inviting low cross that just eluded Harry at the far post.

Harry was then denied by the crossbar with a fierce rising shot after a great ball over the top from Billy.

Shortly before the break Jake fired into the side netting while Archie who was almost a spectator in the first half pulled off a good save to keep tiger’s nose in front at the interval.

Half Time Score 1 - 0 To Taverham Tigers

Archie might have had a quiet first half but it was different story in the second when he pulled off two further saves as Mulbarton stepped the pace up, but Mulbarton ran the risk of getting caught on the break and they had one narrow escape when Jamie saw a shot saved but there was no denying Tigers their second late in the game when Harry raced away down the left to send in a low cross that Lewis dispatched with his left foot to confirm the points for Taverham.

Full Time Score 2 - 0 To Taverham Tigers

TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 5 HORSFORD U10's 0

Just as they had done against Mulbarton, Taverham were quickly off the mark for this one with Jake sending Harry clear and while he didn’t make the best of contacts the ball never the less found the net.

Jamie sent a volley over the bar before Tigers extended their lead through George who had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes when he collected a Lewis cross to fire in his first goal in Taverham colours.

Tigers might have made it 3 before the break when George returned the compliment setting up Lewis but the Horsford keeper made a good save.

Half Time Score 2 - 0 To Taverham Tigers

Taverham extended their lead shortly after the break when Rob almost finished from close range but unfortunately the ball went in off a Horsford player while moments later the Lewis and George show continued with George bagging in his second after Lewis had slotted the ball in behind the defence.

Lewis completed the scoring shortly before the final whistle when Jamie picked him out in the box and he made no mistake firing the ball home, and with it the man of the match award. Well done Lewis as always a superb performance in both games.

Full Time Score 5 - 0 To Taverham Tigers

Summary - A fantastic result for Taverham Tigers putting them second place in the league. The boys played brilliantly making it difficult for the parents to pick man of the match. Harrison and Billy were solid as always at the back and should be proud of themselves for not conceding any goals. And also Archie our fantastic goal keeper certainly kept us in our first game when he pulled off three fantastic saves - Well done boys.

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Tigers run the Sport Relief mile

It was Sunday morning, the weather couldn’t have been better. Jamie the Tigers coach had organised for the boys to participate in the Sponsored run a mile for Sports Relief. The Tigers met at the forum for the 10.30am run dressed in red, black and white. At 10am they joined the crowds for a warm up and at 10.30 they were off! with coaches Jamie and Terry also joining in the run. The parents and Grandparents were there to cheer the lads on and couldn’t believe how quick they finished the run. A great time was had by all. Well done Taverham Tigers we’re all proud of you but keep training as next time it will be three miles !!

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SUNDAY 7TH MARCH 2010

TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 1 FIRSIDE ATHLETIC U10's 2

Taverham might have guessed this was not to be their day when they lost Archie in the warm up after he pulled up with an injury suffered in training on Saturday. Therefore it was Rob who stepped up to pull on the keepers jersey as the game got underway.

Taverham had a couple of half chances in the opening minutes with Lewis seeing a shot blocked while Harry saw a left foot effort skid across the goal.

Rob was soon called into action to produce a good save, but moments later he was powerless to stop Firside taking the lead after yet another good save but the Firside striker reacted first for a simple tap in.

Harrison was introduced shortly before the break after Lewis limped off after a knock and it was good work by the substitute that saw Harry go close for Taverham.

With just seconds to go before the break Firside doubled their advantage after Taverham failed to clear a loose ball, again another easy finish for the visitors.

Half Time Score Firside 2 - Taverham 0

It didn't take long for Taverham to pull a goal back after the break with Jake finishing well with a left foot effort into the roof of the net.

Harry saw a shot saved as Taverham went all out for the second goal but Firside threatened on the counter and it needed a good save and then a block from Billy to deny Firside in the dying minutes.

Full Time Score Firside 2 - Taverham 1

TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 1 OLD CATTON U10's 1

This was much better performance from Taverham who looked a little like their old self as they took the game to Old Catton who we would like to offer our congratulations when just 24 hours earlier they progressed to the cup final where they will play Attleborough.

Taverham went close early in the game when George set up Lewis but he was quickly closed down as Catton blocked his effort.

Moments later they did however open the scoring when Lewis combined well with Jake and when the ball fell to Harrison he made no mistake as the ball went in off the inside of the post.

Their lead was brief however when Catton hit back on the break a sweeping moved finished at the far post.

Half Time Score Taverham 1 - Old Catton 1

The second half was all Taverham but they could find no way past a strong Catton defence first Lewis having a shot blocked while Jake was foiled by the Catton keeper with a well taken free kick and with what was the final kick of the game Lewis was also denied by the keeper.

Full Time Score Taverham 1 - Old Catton 1

A big thank you goes to Rob for standing in as goal keeper for injured Archie. Also well done to Rob for a great performance in both games for which he was awarded Man of the Match.

Match Photos 1 - 2

Sunday 14th February 2010

TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 1 DEREHAM U10's 2

Dereham were quickly into their stride for this encounter, with Archie soon called into action to make a good save. Moments later Taverham's defence was caught napping when straight from a corner the ball found the back of the net.

Chances were few and far between in an even if somewhat scrappy first half with 2 half chances falling to Taverham, the first when Jamie fired just wide of the target after some good hold up play from Harrison, the second coming shortly before the break when Harry sent an effort over the bar.

Half Time Score - Dereham 1 - Taverham 0

Shortly after the interval Dereham doubled their advantage when Taverham failed to clear a loose ball after Archie had made a good save allowing Dereham to fire the ball home from close range.

To their credit Taverham never gave up the chase and they pulled a goal back with just a couple of minutes remaining when a Dereham defender turned the ball into his own net after a great counter attack from Taverham.

With just seconds left it looked as though Taverham had snatched a point when Harry’s low shot beat the Dereham keeper but everyone looked on in disbelief as the ball struck the post before rolling across the goal line to hit the other post, before Taverham could mount another attack the referee blew for full time.

Full time Score - Dereham 2 - Taverham 1

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TAVERHAM TIGERS U10's 2 ATTLEBOROUGH U10's 0.

After a below par performance against Dereham this was much more like the old Taverham we have come to expect although it needed a good block by Archie to keep the score level early in the first half.

Harry saw a shot go just wide after he cut in from the left flank, while moments later Harry again went close after he collected a well waited pass from Lewis.

The first half might have ended goaless but there was some good football to admire from both sides.

Half Time Score 0 - 0

Just as they had done in the first half Borough almost opened the scoring but it needed a good block from Robert to keep the game scoreless, but shortly after Taverham opened their account when Harrison was on hand to stike a volley in off the post from a Lewis cross.

Archie again came to the rescue with a couple of important saves before goalscorer Harrison turned provider when he found Harry who fired the ball into the far corner to secure all 3 points for Taverham.

Full Time Score Taverham 2 - Attleborough 0

Man of the match went to Billy again for another superb performance and some fantastic defending - Well done Billy.

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Sunday 24th January 2010
Scole 0 Taverham Tigers 3

Following their defeat at the hands of Horsford last week Taverham bounced back in some style when they inflicted the first defeat of the season on runaway league leaders Scole, and the win came in some style with Taverham dominating the game from the first whistle.

The Scole keeper was quickly called into action when he denied Lewis after some good approach play from Robert and Jamie.

The ever dependable Archie did well to gather a rising shot on a rear attack from the home side while Taverham almost broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time when the Scole keeper could only parry a shot from Robert and although Harrison got a foot to the loose ball a Scole defender cleared the ball off his own crossbar.

h/t 0 - 0

It took only a couple of minutes after the start of the second half for Taverham to take the lead and it was birthday boy Lewis who broke the deadlock his looping effort palmed into the net by the Scole keeper.

Shortly after Lewis turned provider when he raced clear of the Scole defence to send in a low cross that Harry finished at the far post.

It was now only a case of how many Taverham would get and a through ball saw Harrison slot the ball home to make it three and it might have been four as Harrison sent a shot just inches wide of the upright.

f/t 0-3

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Sunday 24th January 2010
Wymondham 1 Taverham Tigers 3

Wymondham were quickly out of the blocks for this one with Archie quickly called into action making a good save while moments later Wymondham should have called the Taverham stopper into action again but they failed to hit the target from a good position. At the other end the Wymondham keeper denied both Harrison and moments later Harry.

Taverham opened the scoring when Harry and Rob combined well down the left flank for Jamie to latch onto the cross and finish at the far post.

Wymondham took just a couple of minutes to hit back when a mix up in the Taverham defence saw the unfortunate Rob deflect a shot past the stranded Archie.

Archie was dependable as ever as he produced the save of the game as Wymondham stepped the pace up, but it was Archie who set up Taverham's second with a route one ball that saw Harry round his man before firing the ball home.

h/t 1-2

Taverham felt that it needed a third goal to finish the game off in the second half and after both Jamie and Harrison went close it was left to super sub Lewis to seal all 3 points with a sweetly taken strike after he raced clear of the Wymondham defence.

While Archie had made a superb stop before Taverham's second special mention also goes to defender Billy who never gave the Wymondham strikers an inch of space as he produced a man of the match performance.

Well Done to Billy who was awarded Man of the Match for his fantastic performance in both games.

f/t 1-3

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Taverham 1 - 2 Horsford – Sunday 17^th January 2010

Taverham put the start time of the game back to midday to allow the pitch a couple of extra hours to dry out after the snow and rain of the past week or so. In the event the surface was not at its best but both teams acquitted themselves well to the conditions.

Taverham started the game brightly with Lewis playing in an unfamiliar central midfield roll and he quickly forced the visitor’s keeper into a good save with a rising left foot shot. Jamie went close from a Jake cross that was causing the Horsford defence problems down the left flank, while moments later Harrison saw a shot saved while Lewis could only fire the rebound over the bar.

The Horsford keeper was in fine form producing saves to deny both Jake and Robert as Taverham continued to dominate the first half.

Half Time Score 0 - 0

It took Taverham just a couple of minutes to open the scoring after the break when Lewis sent in a low right wing cross that Harrison just failed to connect with but Jamie was on hand to fire the ball home.

Up until that point Horsford had really troubled Archie in the Taverham goal but with their first corner of the game they pulled themselves level with a well directed header. Jake sent a header just wide of the target as Taverham tried to restore their lead but it was Horsford who took the lead for the first time in the game when the Taverham defence found themselves at sixes and sevens, the Horsford striker perfectly positioned for an easy tap in. Jake again went close with a header this time from a Lewis corner while with what was the last kick of the game a spectacular looping effort from Robert was turned over the crossbar by the Horsford keeper. 

This was Robert's first full game for Taverham and he played really well, therefore he was awarded Man of the Match - well done Robert.

Match Photos 1 2 3 4 5

29/11/09 - Old Catton 3 - 0 Taverham (CUP)

It might be something of a cliché but just like Norwich City Taverham Tigers can now concentrate on the league after they exited the cup at the hands of the holders Old Catton.

Taverham got off to a bright start when Harry forced an early corner which Rob headed just wide of the target, moments later Lewis just failed to connect with a far post cross with the goal begging. That however was as close as Taverham came to finding the net as Catton stepped their game up to put Taverham on the back foot.

Archie made the first of several good saves as Catton hit Tigers on the break, and Archie had to be alert as moments later Catton were on the attack once again this time Archie was quick off his line to clear the danger. Taverham had one more attack worthy of note when Lewis sent Jamie clear but from the tightest of angles he could only pull his shot across goal.

Half Time Score 0 - 0

The second half got underway with some brilliant defence work by Billy. Moments into the second half Lewis helped out in defence by clearing a shot off the goal line, but it was only a matter of time before Catton got their noses in front and it came after another good save from Archie, unfortunately the ball was looped back in and while Archie got a hand to the ball he couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line.

Shortly after Archie was called into action again, this time he made the save but with the ball falling kindly for a Catton striker Taverham found themselves two goals adrift. Shortly before the final whistle the rout was completed when Catton fired in their third.

Full Time Score 3 - 0 to Old Catton

With Taverham travelling to Scole next week to take on the league leaders there will need to be a big improvement if they are to pick up any points against either Scole or Wymondham.

22/11/09 - Taverham Tigers U10's 0 Attleborough 1

Still on a high from their victory over Dereham, Taverham Tigers went into this game against the days hosts looking for a double victory on the day, however they got off to the worse possible start when Archie did well to block a shot but when the ball fell kindly to an Attleborough striker he had the simplest of tasks to tap the ball home.

Taverham went all out to get themselves back on level terms but to their credit the home side got bodies behind the ball leaving Taverham frustrated, struggling to get a shot on target, indeed it was Attleborough who almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time and it needed a timely save from Archie to keep Taverham in touch.

Half Time Score 1 - 0 to Attleborough

Despite having the wind advantage after the break Attleborough struggled to get the ball out of their own half as Taverham kept the pressure up with Jake and Lewis both going close.

Taverham had to be aware of being hit on the break and this almost happened a couple of times but a solid performance from Harrison and Billy at the back broke up any Attleborough attacks. Taverham continued to push forward but with time running out it was not to be their day as the home side took the spoils.

Full Time Score 1 - 0 to Attleborough

Match of the match was awarded to Billy for his outstanding performance in both games - Well done Billy.

22/11/09 - Taverham Tigers U10's 2 Dereham Town U10's 0

It was blustery conditions that greeted both sides in this eagerly awaited clash with both teams expected to be in the melting pot come the end of the season. Taverham were quickly out of the blocks with Jamie and Jake combining well to set up Lewis but he failed to hit the target with his effort.

The Dereham keeper was in fine form and he produced a great double save to deny Harry and seconds later Lewis.

Not to be outdone Archie in the Taverham goal was equally at his very best when just seconds before the break he made a point blank save to keep the scores level at the interval.

Half Time Score 0 - 0

Taverham continued to take the game to Dereham as the second half got underway and twice Jake was denied by the Dereham stopper.

It was one way traffic as Taverham piled on the pressure and that pressure finally paid dividends when Jamie fired Taverham into a well deserved lead.

Taverham then went all out for the second that would almost certainly give them the win and when it came it was certainly worth waiting for when Jamie floated in a corner and up rose Rob above the Dereham defence to send in a glancing header, a goal that would grace any football match.