What a difference a year makes.

U13 Meteors Season Story by Andrew Foster...

Going from playing 9 a side, struggling for numbers, losing games by running out of steam and getting moved down a division. To playing 11 a side, out playing teams with entertaining football, winning the division, gaining promotion, and all with an unbeaten perfect season. The turn a round has been amazing.
Skill level, work ethic, teamwork and determination had never been a problem for this team in the past, it was just a lack of numbers that was its downfall. So, with the addition of 3 internal and 2 external players, this team had everything it needed to push on again this season. And push on it did.

We set ourselves a target of getting promoted and kicked off the season playing the 3 best teams in the division, in our first 4 games. The lads showed great character and commitment, coming back from 2-0 down, in 2 of the games, to gain the wins. With 4 wins from those 4 games, the lads had now got their eyes on finishing in the top spot. Unfortunately, we only played 1 more game before lockdown and what turned out to be nearly a 4 month wait for our next run out.

The Wigan YFL had taken the decision to extend the league season until the end of June, to allow teams to play remaining fixtures. This was great news, as the lads had all arrived back at training chomping at the bit. We had never won a title or cup before, so this meant the dream was still alive.
We started back the 2nd week in April, with 10 games left to play. In the next 3 games, we played our 2 closest title rivals with 1 convincing and 1 close win. Putting more distance between us and the chasing pack.

With just over half the season done, we now had ‘on paper’ an easier run in to the finish. Our rivals in the meantime had been taking points off each other and we had built up a comfortable lead.
The league title was confirmed with 3 left to play, so the coaches and players set a new target. Could we go unbeaten all season? We had to play the bottom club twice, as well as our closest rival.
With a convincing win against the bottom, we went into the last home game of the season, with injuries to our vice-captain and one of our highest goal scorers. The lads knew they had to step up and some play in new positions. This proved to be the toughest game of the season, with both teams battling hard. We took a 2-nil lead into the half time break. Both teams got a goal each in a quite heated 2nd half, meaning we won the game 3-1. 1 game left to go………

The final game of the season was upon us. With lads still out injured and some self-isolating, we manage to get a team together, but had no substitutes. The opposition scored 1st, but their lead was short lived and by halftime the game was out of sight and by full time the lads had equalled their other biggest win of the season. What a way to finish. With the final stats being:
Played 15
Won 15
Draw 0
Lost 0
Goals for 153
Goals against 25
Goal Difference +128
It was a bit of a stop start season due to the Covid pandemic, lockdown, individuals and bubbles having to isolate, but through all that we were lucky and only had to rearrange 1 game.
As coaches and parents, we could not be prouder of this team. What they achieved this season was unthinkable last season. It just goes to show what hard work, dedication and a bit of self believe can do for you.