Day 3 - London, England - Game vs. Barking Abbey

Aug. 3, 2007

By Ryan Smith, Jr, D, Miamisburg, Ohio

We woke up early and started the day out with a breakfast of ham, eggs, and potatoes in the hotel. Then we loaded up the coach and headed to Barking Abbey in East London for our first match of the trip.

We played three 30 minute mini-matches against the academy team. The first 30 we played their starters and came out on top 1-0. Even though we played a sloppy game, Tyler Johnston blocked a clearing attempt from their keeper and put it in the back of the net.

The second 30 we played their reserves and tied 0-0. The last 30 we played against some of their reserves and some new players to the academy. The score ended 1-0 after I (Ryan Smith) played a ball upfield to Geoff Smith who had a nice finish on the back post. Although the pitch proved to be not in the best of conditions, which made the ball difficult to control, the last two halves, the team played much harder and worked the ball better around the field.

It is a much more physical game over here in Europe and surely will ready us for the rigors of another battle for the OAC crown. Hopefully we continue to increase our level of play in the Czech Republic.

After the match we headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and then hopped on the bus and went into downtown. After driving by a few sites, we stopped at Picadilly Circus and got out for lunch and a few hours of free time. Much of the time was spent in Lillywhites, a famous 5-story sports store, to buy some jerseys and shoes. We also wandered around Picadilly Circus for a bit and a few players took the Tube up to Islington to see Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC.

We then met up to head back to the hotel for a buffet dinner of beef, turkey, potatoes, rice, and not to mention some delicious desserts. Afterward, the team was free to roam around London for the rest of the night, players taking the Tube to different places around London.

Although a very tiring day, it was finally good to play against international competition and an amazing experience to see much of the city of London. Hopefully tomorrow proves to be just as exciting as we will tour more of the city and take in an EPL exhibition game at White Hart Lane, as Tottenham takes on Torino.