NHB Futbol- North Huntington Beach Futbol Club

NHB Boys U13 Coached by Josh Lofthouse participated in the Winter Cup in the OC. After the original dates were cancelled due to the rain. We eventually had the chance to finally play our first competitive game since the end of the Fall Season. 

 

 However the weather certainly played its part and the conditions were atrocious. We played our first pool game of the Tournament at Tustin High School against Newbury Park Heat a team we played in the Summer Tournament. After losing a goal due to a penalty kick we fought back with hunger and desire and pressured the opposition. We got a nice little breakaway and we slotted the ball past the keeper to tie the game at 1-1. We were defending resolutely throughout the second half, a point would have been a fair result. However with only 3 minutes remaining in the game we were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out, this was our big chance to put the game to bed. Ben Armstrong stepped up and scored a delightful free kick that sailed into the top left corner of the goal. Jubilant scenes followed. 

 

We later played in the afternoon, a win would have sent us through to the final regardless of Sunday's game. We played a well organized team in LMSA Elite, chances were there for the taking, after hitting the post and cross bar and unfortunately missing a PK we came away with a 0-0 tie. 

 

Finally on Sunday the weather forecast had predicted yet more rain and the conditions were very much like a winters day in England. Cold and Rainy! Puddles were forming on the fields, balls were being upheld in the puddles, it certainly was very ugly to watch. We needed a win to go through to the final, we were tied 0-0 for most of the game, thanks to Goal Keeper Louis for keeping the team in the game. Finally a long throw from Ben was flicked on in the penalty box and the sheer number of bodies in there was incredible, the ball finally fell at the feet of the forward and with a simple right footed finish, he easily placed the ball into the bottom corner. 

 

We were due back to the same field for the final at 1:35pm however the constant rain caused a huge delay. We had to move Fields to a local turf facility and again had to play the waiting game. Nerves were beginning to set in and the focus of the boys and mental strength while having to wait was superb. We were playing against FC Long Beach who finished top of their bracket in the tournament. A close game with little chances at either end in the first half turned into a 1-0 lead for NHB with a quick breakaway goal to take the lead going into the half, a simple finish after a goalkeeping error was put away nicely by Diego Llergo. 

 

As the game progressed into the final minutes of the second half, my Goalkeeper Louis was called into action on more than one occasion, he was absolutely terrific throughout the tournament. Unfortunately we gave a away a PK that was eventually saved by Louis. With only two minutes remaining Long Beach were pressing and pushing and got their reward with less than 1 minute left to take the game to Pks. 

 

As the whistle blew for full time a sense of heart break was surrounding the boys. It was my job to pick the penalty takers and encourage the players to fight to the end. It is a harsh way to finish a game. 

 

We scored our first penalty, Long Beach missed theirs after a great save from Louis again.  We missed our second penalty and they scored to tie it at 1-1.  We didn't miss anymore penalties so it was 4 out of 5 Pks scored. It was now up to Long Beach to take the penalties to 4-4, their player stepped up and to our delight he missed and put the ball over the top of the bar. All players from NHB were running to our goalkeeper Louis after an MVP performance to congratulate him. Ecstatic is a good word to use. My boys thoroughly deserved this and this is just the start. 

 

Well done boys I am very proud of each and everyone of you.

 

Congrats