Crusaders Football Club

💛 U7s 💚

Crusaders Girls U-7 (Next season U-8) had their second ever game today vs Knowle. We had an early KO to avoid the heat and played 4x10 min sections to allow for plenty of water.

Last time the difference was age 🙈 this time the difference was experience with Knowle having played friendlies every week for a few months.

Cru however started the brighter with some good passing play and the first goal with Lyra adding to her tally. We were pegged back though and then Knowle started to make their experience and match sharpness tell. We did get another goal again through Lyra but Knowle were comfortable in terms of scoreline.

What I was most proud of today is the girls grew so much in confidence as the game progressed. Girls who were unsure at the start were flying into tackles by the end. There was some good ball mastery on show with drag back turns and stop turns galore and we definitely looked to pass the ball and had some good goal scoring chances towards the end.

Lots to work on but the girls came off happy which is the main thing.

Parents player was Serena who I think embodied the journey of the team. She really grew into the game and by the end was tackling, passing and almost got a goal.

Coaches player was Connie, played 3 different positions, really got stuck in. Worked hard off the ball to help defend and made some good dribbles with the ball.

Special mention to Lyra who now had 4 goals in two games!

I’m really excited to see this team develop. When they get some more experience they’ll be a tough team to beat 💪

💛 U10s 💚

Crusaders Girls U-10 Girls Yellow and Green brought 25/26 season to a close with a tournament at Silverdale.

Yellows started brightly with a win and were unlucky to concede late vs the eventual group winners in their second game. We then had two disappointing draws against teams we really should’ve beaten, one team literally didn’t get into our half we just couldn’t score. A win in both of those games would’ve seen us through IMO but instead we went into the last game already out and lost to a solitary own goal. The girls played well, we were not out played by anyone, but with only top two going through then two draws will always cost you. Something to work on.

Greens had a fantastic tournament. Picking up two wins with new girl Tuba opening up her account and, despite having no subs, some real spirited matches against some top opponents. The last game they went in with a possibility of progressing but it’s fair to say they’d given it everything and unfortunately it wasn’t to be and they lost to eventual finalists.

It was a good effort from both teams. We have now finished for the summer after a long season.

I thank coaches Sue, Olly, Jimmy, Paddy and Ian for their support this season. We have a great family of 25 girls accross both squads. It’ll be a new look for 26/27 but for now, some welcome weekends off.

💛 U8s 💚

U8s returned to tournament football today at Birmingham County FA, and after not playing together for a couple of months, the boys were outstanding from start.

We got off to the perfect start with two convincing victories, winning 6-0 and 3-0. The football was excellent, with great teamwork, energy and determination, and to come back together after such a long break and perform like that was fantastic to see.

Our third game ended in a 4-2 defeat, but the score didn’t reflect how competitive the game was. The boys responded brilliantly, showing great character to bounce back with a 1-0 win in the next match. On another day we could, and probably should, have scored a few more goals.

As the tournament went on, the heat and lack of recent match fitness started to take its toll. We lost our final group game, but hard work meant we would reach the semi-finals.

In the semi-final, the lads gave absolutely everything but eventually ran out of steam, losing to the team who went on to win the tournament. There is no shame in that, and every player can be incredibly proud of their efforts.

One of the biggest positives from the day was that every single player contributed with either a goal or an assist, showing what a true team performance it was. It’s also no coincidence that every one of our victories came with a clean sheet, highlighting the commitment and hard work of the whole squad, from front to back.

A huge well done to all the boys. Their attitude, teamwork and resilience throughout the day were brilliant, and they represented Crusaders with pride. There are plenty of positives to take forward, and if today is anything to go by, this group has an exciting season ahead as U9’s

💛 PLAYER RECRUITMENT 💚

Our U12s are recruiting head of the new season - details below ⬇️

💛 U10s 💚

Crusaders Girls U-10 Yellows and Green headed to Rugby Borough Women and Girls for our penultimate tournament of the season.

It’s always a well run tournament and great to play teams from outside the CWGFL.

Greens started well with two draws including against eventual Europa League winners Royce Rangers Roses. But then a couple of losses saw them enter the Europa League section of the tournament and they were unfortunately knocked out in the QF by the hosts Rugby Borough.

Yellows started slowly with a draw despite dominating possession, they then rallied for a convincing win against Rugby Borough before a bizarre loss to Rugby town where it felt like we had most of the ball but just got stung.

Still made it Into the champions league section of the tournament and we played against Coalville who we’d drew against earlier. Another game where we had all the big chances but didn’t take them and it went to penalties. Unfortunately we struggled again and Coalville progressed.

It was a hot day and both teams did amazingly well in a good level tournament.

We finish off 25/26 next weekend over at Silverdale.

💛 U10s 💚

Crusaders Girls U-10 Yellow and Green took part in a tournament at BCFA headquarters today which had a stacked roster.

Greens, with a bare 7 squad in quite challenging conditions aquitted themselves really well and did exactly what Coach Sue and Olly asked of them which was to keep trying their best vs teams they wouldn’t usually have to play in their usual season.

Yellows managed 3 wins 2 draws and 2 losses in the group stage only conceding 2 goals and getting results against some strong teams. The big match however was yellows vs greens which ended in an amicable draw.

Both teams would however stumble at the quarter final stage with greens losing to eventual winners Leafield and Yellows losing on penalties to Gornal.

Myself, Ian, Sue and Olly are so proud of all the girls today who threw everything at their matches and we come home with our heads held high.

We both travel to a tournament in Rugby next weekend.

💛 U10s 💚

Crusaders U-10 Girls Yellow were in action at the Wyrley Juniors Tournament today.

With a new look squad and no GK (Get well soon Nancy) we managed to go the group stage unbeaten and without conceding a goal to top the group.

We then confidently won our semi final 5-1 with our opponent scoring with the last kick of the game to get into the final.

We then faced a strong Gornal DC team and although the girls battled valiantly it was Gornal who ultimately prevailed so we had to settle for tournament runner up.

Me and Ian are extremely proud of the girls today. They played really well and did well to adjust to the new look and feel of the team.

💛 U7s 💚

Crusaders Girls U-7 had their very first game vs (Due to some confusion somewhere but I don’t know how) Silhill U-8’s at Alderbrook yesterday.

The girls started well will some great passing movements and even a goal by Lyra. Silhills match experience started to show and they scored some goals to make it comfortable for them but Lyra grabbed a second goal and we had some other chances which we can be so proud of.

Connie and Maggie (Identical twins) did plenty of driving runs with the ball and had some shots on goal, Maria not letting being a Yr 1 vs Yr3 girls phase her in making plenty of tackles and runs and passes. Cora played great in the outfield and then pulled off save of the day with her face (No tears) in goal. Serena making some lovely passes and tackles and playing in multiple positions and Megan also making great saves in goal and playing well in the outfield. We were missing Ella today and look forward to her joining the match fun soon.

They came off buzzing after their first match experience.

Andy has been overwhelmed with the kind words and wishes following Saturday’s presentation - he wanted us to share the follow:

‘Thank you to all for all your posts and generous comments regards my recent accolade from Crusaders Football Club

Doesn’t time fly when you are doing something you enjoy.

I am truly honoured to receive the Club’s first lifetime achievement award, this recognition for my services means a great deal to me.

During my 50 years at the Club, I have had the pleasure of meeting numerous wonderful people many of which I now class as lifelong friends whether they be former teammates, Players, Parents or Officials.

We all love our beautiful game and it’s my pleasure to be able to share my knowledge and experience onto future generations.

I must express my thanks to all who have supported me over this period, my family, Club Committee Members, Players and Parents I am sincerely grateful.

Football is all about teamwork and we at Crusaders are blessed to have a superb Committee, Managers/Coaches and numerous volunteers who make it all possible.

Thank You

Andrew Dyson’

Photo below of Andy’s guard of honour during the ladies final fixture of the season on Sunday against Halesowen Town Ladies!