Weekend Recap 5-6th December 2015

U18’s (4-4-2) Team: Navarro, Cassella, Swanson, Alvarado, Becker, Miller, Grek, William G, Kuznicki, Sabates, WuMarbella United FC U18’s continued there impressive start to league play with another convincing victory, beating Mortadelo U.D. 5-1. With a target on their back as early league leaders it was a tactical approach by the away team sitting back and making the players in orange break them down.With both teams feeling themselves out it was some good work down the right hand side with William Cassella playing a ball over the full backs head into space. This resulted in good cross but an even better finish from Gaby Sabates, who took his goal brilliantly, catching the ball on the half volley and striking it into the far corner from 15 yards out.Before letting the team breath again, it was good work down our right flank again, with top goal scorer Wu providing the assist for Daniel Grek to score from 20 yards out. With a comfortable advantage, going into Half time the talk was around not getting complacent and ensuring we maintain control of the game.Unfortunately a very good finish from inside the box left the score line with 2-1, however the confidence and focus of the home team let Marbella United FC resume control of the game with top goal scorer Albert Wu adding to his season tally with a well worked goal. As MUFC’s fitness and composure took control of the game there could have been several more goals if it wasn’t for exceptional work by the Mortadelo U.D goalkeeper. But he could not keep out Sam Kuznicki’s 1^st goal of the season by dribbling past 3 players before slotting into the first corner. Sam who is still returning to full fitness after a serious injury was delighted with getting on the score sheet. With 3 minutes to go, it was Fritz Miller to score his 2^nd in as many games to finish off the game.Rune Alvarado who also captained the team, was solid in the back as usual and done a great job marshaling the team through a tough patch in the second half. Albert Wu showed a different element to his game by working hard for his teammates off the ball adding a different element to his game. While there were good performances from Sabates and Kuznicki who worked very hard, their performances should give them confidence going into next weeks game. MUFC Blue (4-3-3):Team: Cook, Sainvill, Max, Mckellar, La Casse, Man, Carey, Adachi, Rogers, Flores (Alex, 68), Scott.Following the U18’s performance, it was game time for the also unbeaten MUFC Blue team (3-0-2). With both teams supporting each other during the sunny Sunday afternoon, the focus was now on the team captained by goalkeeper Dylan Cook to ensure MUFC left with 6 points. Like Mortadelo U.D. the MUFC Blue’s opposition C.D. Villanueva De La Concepc also set out defensively to make it difficult for us to play through them. The game got off to a slow start and it was infact the away side who took a shock lead through a mental lapse in defense that allowed their number 11 time to turn and shoot, leaving Cook with no chance of preventing the goal.Not deterring away from the game plan MUFC took control over the first half having the majority of possession and breaking the team down several times however not really testing the keeper. The score going into the break was 1-0.The talk at half time was about being patient, stick to the game plan but just adding a bit more intensity in the final third by moving the ball quicker, ensuring the opposition’s defense don’t get numbers behind the ball. With no luck there was a slight shift in formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, as Villenueva’s defense got tired it was a calculated ball from Dan Man who freed John Rogers who finished by lobbing the GK from around 35 yards out. This inspired MUFC to not settle for a draw but go and get the second and the second came around 6 minutes later. It was great work down the right from La Casse who got the ball across for Kyo Adachi to finish at the back post.It was an impressive overall performance from MUFC who continued their solid start in the league. With the exception of some last ditch defending towards the end, MUFC managed the game well and thoroughly deserved the 3 points.Doural Scott was exceptional leading the line for MUFC, being a constant threat on the ball but chasing down the defenders off the ball allowing for mistakes to happen. Warren Sainvill and Daniel Man also had very good performances for MUFC.Moving forward a MUFC Showcase XI will play Iberos C.F from Madrid the game is scheduled for a noon kick off. Article to follow…