The initial disappointment of a lack of opposition numbers (as well as disappointment in weather more at home in the North Pole!) for the two planned games turned into anxious worry for coach Richard as Welwyn Pegasus offered up their U8's to play against the Whites. Would the boys be able to cope with an opposition a year older and wiser? The answer came in the first minute when Daniel set off down the right wing and then whipped in a low cross to find Jono in the box. Jono struck first time only to find the Welwyn keeper making the first of a number of excellent saves.

The second minute, however, saw Welwyn take the lead after an unfortunate deflection beat Bury's first half keeper, Jacob, at the near post. Even so, the Bury boys pulled their socks up and attacked with great enthusiasm. Three corners in rapid succession from Aaron caused chaos in the Welwyn defence and Neil was unlucky not to connect with a header after getting away from his marker. Bury continued to dominate and create chances. Jono's shot, after a through ball from Billy produced another fine save from the keeper.

The Bury defence led by James and Ben were well organised and dealt easily with any Welwyn attack. On the tenth minute Ben put through Billy who was denied by a combination of the Welwyn keeper and a defender. From the resulting throw on Aaron controlled the ball and from an acute angle on the right hand side of the box smashed the ball passed the keeper into the back of the net.

Bury were on the attack soon after the restart and from their next corner panic struck the Welwyn defence again and a handball resulted in a Bury penalty. Aaron struck the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal leaving the keeper no chance. At the end of the half, good defending again by Ben and James denied Welwyn any shooting opportunity.

The second half saw James go in goal and Jacob move out into midfield. Right from the start Bury set off into attack and an good interchange of passes put Jacob through but he was denied by a last ditch tackle. From the corner, the ball was deflected onto the crossbar. More and more Bury attacks were thwarted by last ditch and desperate tackling and some fine saves. From another Aaron corner the ball bounced off of Neil's knee only to lob onto the crossbar for the second time. Jacob was again denied by some brave keeping before another corner resulted in Neil's volley going just wide.

Bury's dominance meant that the Welwyn manager put out his best players and after a skillful run and dribble from one of the substitutes, his cross found an unmarked forward. Welwyn were back level. Bury continued to attack with Jono and Aaron going close but an excellent one-two between the Welwyn forwards led to a third goal.

Yet Bury's boys continued to push forward and apart from a quick break which was thwarted by good positioning by James, Welwyn were on the back foot. However, it was not to be and the boys fell to an unfortunate 3-2 defeat.

Santi(James Sende's Dad)