Turriff Thunder v K2001

We travelled up to Turriff for this weeks Development League Game to take on Turriff Thunder.

With a very heavy pitch due to the recent rain it was going to test all the players fitness and stamina - and Kemnay were certainly up to the challenge.

Kemnay certainly came out of the blocks the quickest and were using the ball with some intelligent passing and running with everyone working for each other.

After a couple of minutes we forced the first corner of the match. Craig took the corner from the right and picked out Aiden at the edge of the box who unleashed a Gerrard like shot that flew just wide.

It was all Kemnay and another long range effort this time from Archie again just missed the target.

Soon after Kemnay were rewarded for their good play when Keiron finished off a good move with a well taken LEFT foot shot low into the bottom corner.

Soon after that some good play down the right by Craig led to a pass inside to Aiden who blasted the ball past the home keeper.

Some of the football in the first 20 minutes was breathtaking with all the players contributing and using some of the skills we have been practising in training.

Kemnay didn't have it all their own way and the home team were fighting back  and only a fantastic save by Samuel kept the home team out.

Only some great defending by Archie and Aiden who were solid at the back the whole game was keeping the home team out.

Zoe and Michael were working hard in midfield assisted by  Scott who was showing some nice touches.

It was Turriff who finished the stronger but they couldn't break down a solid Kemnay back line.

The second 20 minutes followed a similar pattern to the first with Kemnay doing most of the attacking with Michael making some good runs as well as Scott who was playing like a young Ryan Giggs on the left flank.

The Kemnay team continued to pass the ball well with Craig and Brett combining and Brett using his speed to good effect out running the home defence on numerous occassions, only some good tackling and good goalkeeping kept him out.

However against the run of play the home team scored a good goal with Samuel having no chance.

This was only a temporary setback as Kemnay soon scored again when Craig fired in from a tight angle leaving the home keeper with no chance.

The Kemnay midfield were totally controlling the game with Ruth in the centre - Craig on the right and Scott out on the left and with Aiden and Archie breaking from defence the home team had no answer.

It was from one of the breaks from the back when Archie picked the ball up in his own half beat several home players before firing in a shot on goal which was deftly touched in by Keiron.

Kemnay continued to press forward and some good link up play between Craig and Keiron saw Craig score his second goal of the game - which he thoroughly deserved.

The football being played by Kemnay was an absolute joy to watch with every one of them playing their part - working as a team - looking for team mates and linking up extremely well.

Not that Kemnay were having it all their own way - it was just unfortunate for the home team that they came up against a goalkeeper of the calibre of Samuel whose courage and bravery kept the home team out.

Scott was causing mayhem down the left leaving the Turriff defenders in his wake and only the woodwork kept him out on two separate occasions.

The final 20 minutes didn't disappoint - you would have thought on such a heavy pitch the pace would have dropped but on this type of performance I reckon if we hadn't stopped the game the Kemnay players would still be playing.

Only some good defending by the home team was keeping Kemnay out with Keiron firing narrowly past and Aiden also unlucky from long range.

They were once again to be rewarded for their fine play when Keiron completed his hat-trick with a cool finish under pressure.

Aiden then got in on the act scoring his second of the game with a fine finish after some good play between Scott and Ruth.

All credit to the home team they never gave up and again it was Samuel to the rescue with a fine save and Zoe putting in a last ditch tackle to stop the home team from scoring.

Scott finally got his reward for an excellent overall performance when he beat what seemed like the whole Turriff team twice before firing it past the helpless keeper.

As the game was coming to an end the Kemnay team forgot about defending and left Samuel exposed at the back and the home team capitalised to score a deserved goal.

This was an extremely satisfying performance and whatever the parents gave the kids for breakfast please make sure they have it every week.

The most pleasing aspect of today was the team work and link up play with every single player contributing.

This weeks player of the week for an absolutely outstanding performance, his reading of the game, his tackling, his passing and his overall energy goes to Archie