JEREMY Newton files his latest tour diary.
The Under-13-15s continued their tour of The Netherlands where we watched Feyenoord's first team train. It was good to see Ronald Koeman and Giovanni van Bronckhorst taking the session and seeing the intensity and the methods that they were using with the players. Our players then visited the club shop before having lunch at the stadium. After this, we took the players to the seaside to have a walk and relax before the tour's third game against FC Gravenzande.
The Under-13s won 4-1 with goals coming from Oscar Webster, Luke Haines (2), and Yordi Kaashoek. Coach Ben Deacon praised his players saying: "They responded well from the previous game and played some good football at times against a more physical side who were an age group older."
The Under-14s won 2-0 with goals coming from Albi Hopkins and Ollie Rejek. It was the 14s' third win of the tour and it was a pleasing performance for all the players. Although there was a sending-off for Charlie Quarrell, the players kept a clean sheet and pleased the coach Andy Minturn, again with the physical element being a key factor that the players have learnt to deal with.
The Under-15s eventually won 10-5 but were trailing 4-2 at half-time. I said to them at the break that it wasn't good enough and they weren't up to the standards that I wanted. We changed the shape and played three at the back and we went on to score six goals in 14 minutes. With goals coming from Tyreke Johnson (who scored six goals), Scott twine, Jordan young, Jordan Morris, and Aiden Compton. This was pleasing in the way that they all performed in the second half and the drive and commitment was there. We suffered injuries to Jordan young, Tommy Ouldridge, who won't play again this tour with Jack Stanley and Jordan Simpson carrying knocks that will be assessed in the morning.
The age groups will visit the memorial site at Arnhem tomorrow and the players and the staff will pay their respects from the club before playing the last game of the tour.
