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U16 BOCA SIGN OFF AS CHAMPIONS IN STYLE

U16 BOCA SIGN OFF AS CHAMPIONS IN STYLE

Philip Stanley29 Apr 2023 - 20:29
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An end of season treat for rampant Boca

(Many thanks to Rob Lane for the match reports)

MKDDL U16 Division 2 League Games

29/04 - Linslade Galaxy Boca Juniors 8 - 0 Tattenhoe Youth Pumas

26/04 - Moretonville Juniors Wanderers 5 - 2 Linslade Galaxy Boca Juniors

Boca completed their triumphant season with a midweek away trip against Moretonville Junior Wanderers and then a Saturday home game against Tattenhoe Youth Pumas.

It was a rush after school/work on Wednesday to get across to Buckingham for an evening kick off against Moretonville. It was a dry, overcast evening and the Moretonville pitch was in good condition, an impressive set up for a club who have their own large ground just outside Buckingham.

Boca started the game well, they were popping the ball around smoothly against a very physical and hard pressing Wanderers team. Boca scored after about 5 mins when Harry Shore threaded a superb through ball to Zach Theodorou, Zach escaped the defence and finished neatly, 1-0.

Boca continued to play well and created some good chances. An interception from Moretonville when Galaxy were trying to do the right thing and switch play was cruelly punished as Moretonville equalised , 1-1.

Boca weren't phased and still kept playing but the goal gave Wanderers a shot in the arm and the already frenetic pace went up a level. Moretonville broke away down the right and put a hopeful cross into the box, Galaxy rushed their clearance and Wanderers finished well, 1-2.

This goal really unsettled Boca, having played well for the opening 30 mins, they then seemed to panic and had a mad 10 mins before half time. Everything suddenly went long, the Boca midfield pushed up looking for a quick equaliser and an aggressive Moretonville team piled pressure on the Boca defence. Boca conceded a penalty on 38 mins and then a long ball goal on 39 mins, 1-4 at the break.

Boca regrouped at half-time and they were much improved in the second half. Moretonville grabbed a 5th against the run of play and then Louis Woodford scored for Boca. A neat passing move ended with a diagonal pass to Louis on the left side of the box. Louis swivelled and blasted his left foot finish into the left side of the goal, 2-5.

Boca were on top for the rest of the game and came close on several occasions to grabbing a 3rd, with two memorable chances flashing across the goal line, agonisingly out of reach of the Galaxy forwards. Ultimately, Boca had left themselves to much to do against a physical, high intensity and organised Moretonville team.

Jacob Thomas was a stand out performer for Boca. He was like Trent (but better at defending) at right back, building play, making great passes and then overlapping his midfielder. He was a constant threat, was easily the best player on the pitch and was Boca Player of the Match.

On Saturday, Boca played their last game of the season against Tattenhoe. There were no lines painted on the Cedars grass pitch, so Boca had an end of season treat playing on the 3G.

It was a warm and sunny day and the 3G is a large pitch, so it was going to be tiring for the boys.

Boca had learned their lessons from Wednesday, they played with composure, using the space of the bigger pitch and keeping possession fantastically.

Boca also quickly recovered to shape when they lost possession and denied Pumas any real attacking opportunities. Boca kept tight shape, and pressed as Tattenhoe probed but without diving in. This patience meant that Boca got the ball back quickly and were then able to pass out or switch play around the Tattenhoe press. The boys made the game look very simple and made Tattenhoe look very ordinary.

Tom Alexander was a focal point and pivot for everything good that Boca did in the first half. Often Boca would play or recycle possession to Ben Stunell and Harry Shore at centre back and then out to either Jacob Thomas or Will Gibson-Housden at fullback. Jacob was then able to drive forward, play a pass inside to Tom, Josh Lane or Callum Scott or play forward to Bobby Forsythe on the right wing.

Boca took about 5 minutes to take the lead and then scored 4 very similar goals. All 4 were scored by Zach Theodorou. Boca would patiently build the play and then thread a pass to Zach. On all 4 occasions, Zach sprinted past the Tattenhoe defence and slotted his finish past the Pumas goalie. The 4th goal went in on 22 minutes and this ended the game as any kind of contest. Zach had been electric from the start. He had scored 4 but he actually also missed a couple of chances in this period that he would normally bury. This 4th goal was also Zach's 50th goal of the season. This is a phenomenal total scored in just 18 competitive games. When his 4th and 50th went into the net, Zach did a handspring and everyone else stopped and applauded, 4-0.

With the game put to bed, Galaxy then played with composure and controlled the game. There was no rush to get forwards and on a warm day, Boca were content to knock the ball around, playing backwards and sideways and making Tattenhoe work.

In the 36th minute Zach scored his 5th goal of the game. He was put through on the left side of the box and he finished sharply inside the nearpost, 5-0.

On the stroke of half time, Boca built possession to the edge of the Tattenhoe area. The ball was played to Callum in the number 10 position. Tattenhoe did not close Callum down and around 25 yards out from goal, Callum was allowed to set himself and then sent a, missile like, swerving finish into the top right corner of the net, 6-0.

Boca started the second half like they had the first, Josh Lane was now in acre's of space in the central defensive midfield position and was allowed to turn, bring the ball forward and then pick passes into the midfield. Boca continued to pass and probe but some of the intensity of the first 22 minutes was sapped by the heat and the very comfortable scoreline.

It took 18 minutes in the second half for Boca to add to their total. This time Joe Carr, Callum and Zach linked up down the left. Zach broke into the box from a wide angle and then fired his right foot finish into the roof of the net, across the stranded Pumas goalie. This was Zach's double hattrick, 7-0.

Tattenhoe did not create many memorable opportunities but were given a penalty when, goalie, Dan Ingram tripped the Pumas forward near the byline. Dan, who had nothing much else to do all game, comfortably saved the penalty diving down to his right and smoothering the ball. Dan was pleased to preserve his own clean sheet.

In the final 10 minutes, Boca were all over a tired and punch drunk Tattenhoe. Josh, Joe, Bobby, Louis, Jack and Zach were popping the ball around for fun. Boca had a string of corners, forced a couple of good saves from the Pumas goalie and hit the bar from a long range effort. With 5 minutes to go, Joe was sent through down the left side of the box. Joe hit a sweet finish with the outside of his right foot and the ball nestled in the right bottom corner of the net, 8-0.

What a stunning end to a sensational season for Boca. Playing fabulous football, in the sunshine and on a 3G surface it was a great way to celebrate the league championship. Zach was Player of the Match. He scored 6 goals, taking him to 52 goals for the season. Zach is a true star, he has electric pace, unbelievable close control, he is skilful, he can pass the ball well and he can finish in a number of different ways. Just amazing!

This season has been an absolute pleasure and we now look forward to the trophy presentations.

Further reading