The Yorkton United Chelsea Under 12 boys soccer team hosted three teams in a three game weekend at the Parkland Mall Soccer Field. Head coach Andy Wyatt says the weekend was partially successful. Yorkton Chelsea beat RE United 4-2 Saturday afternoon, downed AC Milan 4-3 Sunday morning before falling to a strong team from Regina Sunday afternoon. "The kids just came out flat, came out tired. Three games in a weekend's a lot," says Wyatt.
Chelsea started the season with four games in two separate weekends in Regina, says Wyatt. Both times Chelsea played a good first game in Regina. Chelsea played the first game at 11 o'clock in the morning and four hours later played the second game, Wyatt reports. "Both times we had two good first games but couldn't put it together for the second games," he explains.
United Chelsea won their first two games of the current season in Yorkton over the weekend. All the Regina games were relatively close losses for Chelsea, Wyatt notes.
Currently Chelsea carries a bench of 12 players. Wyatt picks up some younger under 10 players to fill in the Chelsea roster and to give the younger players some experience. "The season is about developing talent, developing kids at a high level because this is the premier league, the top league in Regina and they are the top in Saskatchewan with Saskatoon," Wyatt states.
It's tough to play more than one game on a day or weekend. Kids get tired at running constantly at this level, Wyatt says. "It's a good learning experience for them and good development for the kids," he asserts.
Chelsea is a solid team throughout, Wyatt claims. Their weakness may be a lack of experience at this level as Chelsea is playing in Division 1 for the first year, he points out. "It's the first time a Yorkton team has played in Division 1 for a few years," Wyatt points out.
A couple of very strong midfielders are showing great strength and great soccer skill, Wyatt claims. Chelsea striker Austin Thomas has delivered a couple of goals on the weekend, Wyatt notes. Derek Campbell also scored a couple of times. Both were dangerous all weekend, he suggests. Thomas, Campbell and Spencer Steele are all strong players as is the whole team, Wyatt states.
Chelsea is off to Regina to participate in an RSA (Regina Soccer Association) Cup tournament next weekend. "With two games on Sunday, it'll be a long weekend for the kids. Lots of exercise. Lots of soccer," Wyatt closes.
