Ilford’s under-18 side returned to Eastern Junior Alliance action for the first time since coronavirus restrictions were eased, picking up a point on the road at Hornchurch.
There was a minute’s silence before the start of the game as both sides showed their respect for HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.
In a hard-fought game, Ilford took the lead through Idries Turay’s second-half strike and were looking good to pick up three points in their first league fixture since the beginning of November 2020.
However, it was instead a lesson in game management for Ilford’s young Foxes as Hornchurch’s Jake Stone scored a last-minute equaliser to earn the Urchins a share of the points.
The point means that Ilford are currently 4th in the EJA U18 Black division on 11 points, but with two games in hand on the teams around them which if won could see them leapfrog two teams into 2nd.
The Young Foxes’ next EJA league fixture will be at Cricklefield Stadium where one of those two teams, Barking U18 Yellow, will be the visitors.
Gaffers Thoughts
“It was a really hard-fought draw for us. Hornchurch were physical and gave us a challenging game in our attempts to break them down. The team, myself included, felt the draw as a loss as we conceded in the last seconds of the game. The learning point is to manage the game better, as we looked panicky when we scored. The second learning point is encouraging our players to figure out how to counteract a team that holds a low block.”
Furthermore, Ilford U18 coach Joe Eja also believes that the green light to resume football in the UK and finish the EJA season is “absolutely massive” for the Young Foxes.
Delighted
Speaking to Rising East after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Hornchurch U18s, Eja said that he thinks “getting the go-ahead to resume football and aim to complete our season is absolutely massive.”
“We are more than delighted to be back out playing the beautiful game. We’ve all missed it, along with so many other people in the UK.”
Lockdown
In lockdown, Eja echoes what other clubs have done in lockdown, noting the importance of keeping the squad happy whilst keeping fitness levels at as good a level as possible. “We kept ourselves busy with group fitness sessions, principles of plays, and fun quiz nights via Zoom, which was good to keep up the team spirit.
“I also tasked each player to utilise the individual outdoor exercise allowance given by the government to try and do at least one 5km run a week to keep physically and mentally fresh.”
Development
The return to action will be massively important for the Young Foxes’ development, according to Eja. “The whole squad is back working on things we’ve practiced in theory during lockdown and can now really develop those ideals on the training ground and in matches.”
“Furthermore, we have two or three players in the squad on the radar of professional clubs who could potentially get a move into that environment. So, with us being back and developing, it’ll help their ambitions of progressing up the football ladder.”
