Cardiff 8 – 0 Bracknell

(Game awarded – Bracknell short of players)

 

 

With regular bench coaches Brent Pope and Jamie Elson unavailable, Robin Monaghan stepped in as bench coach for the under 10s for one of their toughest matches of the season against league-leaders Bracknell, always a tough opposition. With a Cardiff player icing for Bracknell to make up numbers, Cardiff carried away the points in a mix-and-match game.

Cardiff number two goalie, 6 year old Max Roberts, faced a baptism of fire for his very first match in goal for the Cardiff Junior Devils. Coping admirably with the pressure, he made some great saves to carry off the Spirit of the Game award. Usual Cardiff goalie Jake Roberts played as part of the first line.

The game began with breakaways from Jake Roberts, surprising the Bracknell defence and linking well with Eliot Randall and Iwan Davies, and Carter Lloyd playing on a strong third line with Ben Morgan and Ethan Nesic. Bracknell were confined to 12 shots on goal in the first period with some great defending from Alex Ljungstrand-Byrne and Jake Burt, Lewis Davies and Ryan Fearnley on the second line, and Sam Smith and Dylan Jeenes on the third line. Max made some superb saves, but it was Bracknell who scored first.

Cael James on the second line pulled a goal back for Cardiff, picking up a good pass from Iwan Williams and Ella Nesic at 9.44. This was Cael’s first goal for the Cardiff Junior Devils. The first period closed with the score at 6-1.

The second period began with a great score for Eliot Randall, assisted by Jake Roberts. A quick follow-up shot on goal by Jake, with the rebound tapped at goal by Eliot, kept the Bracknell goalie on his toes with a good save.

All three lines worked extremely hard in the second period, raising their game and limiting shots on goal. Cardiff managed a terrific 10 shots on the Bracknell goal. Max was kept on his toes, saving 12 shots on goal. The second period closed at 12-2.

Some great play in the third period saw breakouts on all lines. A good shot by Carter Lloyd clipping the post, nice clearances by Ella Nesic, and fine shots on goal from Iwan Davies and Ryan Fearnley. Bracknell’s strong team still battled hard keeping the pressure on Cardiff’s gallant defence. It was a tough period but Cardiff still fired another 12 shots at Bracknell’s netminder.

The Cardiff Junior Devils played with huge intensity for this game, showing skill and determination in equal measure. This was a tremendously promising match for the young Devils who landed two goals against Bracknell netminder’s who are rarely beaten.

The Man of the Match award went to Cael James, with the Spirit of the Game awarded to Max Roberts for his gallant effort facing 54 shots on goal in his very first match in goal.

Well played to all the team.