By Tomas S - First Pirate Game - Chichester/Havant/Gosport

Under 20 degree heat, we played our first game as a mixed U12 squad. Our Coach Stu picked an exceptionally strong team including Ryan a powerful goal-keeper on his debut for the Pirates. We move into our new positions after losing pushback following a rock/paper/scissors coin toss equivalent. The second the umpire blew the whistle to begin, our players put the pressure on the ball. Four minutes into the first half we form an attack, Jonah dribbles through the Chichester midfield carrying the ball to the edge of opposition's D, looks over his shoulder to see Will Mawby rapidly approaching, he sweeps it across and with great precision Will hits it past their defenders. Making it 1-0.
It was only 2 minutes minutes later when we doubled our lead with a clean push into the net from Tomas, waiting patiently on the back post (aka goal hanging). Early in the second half Chichester scored their first but it did not take long for Tomas to add another goal on the scoreboard for Gosport 3-1. He smashed in his third of the game from the top of the D completing his hat-trick making it 4-1. After relentless attempts on Ryan in goal by Chichester, Gosport's superb defence couldn't stop one final and fierce attack in the last minute taking it to 4-2 final score.
Squad Members: Will M, Oli B, Tomas S, A O'M, Lily F, Jonah R, Ryan M and Dexter H.
Umpires: Niamh and Alex.