It was the 2nd round of the cup this week and i felt we just were not as committed this week as we have been the last few weeks. I am sure because you all thought it would be an easier game you took it easier.

We started fairly well and had the first few chances. However it was the opposition who scored first. We gave away a silly free kick and a fortunate shot from outside the box, caught Josh off his line 0.1 Doh. To be honest it was the kick up the backside you all needed. You responded well Archie followed in a scored soon after 1.1. Next after some good in midfield work Tom was put through and cooly finished 2.1.

Connor played a great cross ball to Charney who drove the ball in to the far side of the goal 3.1, However they still had some pressure and Josh made two fine saves to keep the score at 3.1. Keith ran the changes and Frankie scored a good goal and perhaps could have had another one , Kevin soon scored making it 5.1 allowing Keith to rotate some players and positions even playing three at the back for a while. Just before half-time we let there striker walk around 4 players and score. Nobody went to put a challenge in or even close him down 5.2 Half time.

Second half first 15 mins was fairly uneventful we had some good play but some terrible decision making whilst having all the play. Either too many touches, trying to go round 5 people, weak shots at the goalie, Shooting when the ball should be squared, passing when the shot is on and not taking a touch when you had time.

Then came the last 10 minutes. A silly silly goal a weak shot that Josh parried but just rolled in 5.3 There heads went up yours went down next minute lost the ball from the kick off and it 5.4 OMG

Keith re-organized  back to a back 4 and tried to kill the game, however too many people got caught out too far forward and the broke 5 on 3 before you knew it was 5.5. OMG

Last two minutes and we pushed for the winner we had a couple half chances but nothing clear cut and it wasn’t to be. At least you didn’t lose like last week!

It was nice to see Morgan get a card for his birthday unfortunately it was a yellow card from the Referee !!!!!!

What can we take away from this ????? You have to think more in a game if the ball is not coming drop in or push across, How many times do i say it track your players even if he get past you dont stop running get back and help, lastly take the chances we are given size up the opportunity “can i take a touch and place it” or “am i being challenged and need to hit it first time”.

You should of won this game by a country mile !  Think what did i do wrong and how can i improve. But Dont blame yourself or your team mates. We win or lose as a team.

Any way training is tomorrow see you all there, hope you all wished your mothers a Happy Mothers Day

Keiths MotM was Charney who had an outstanding first half and worked had even when played at centre half.

Today was the first game in the Spring cup with who i believe will be our toughest opponents in the group stage.

We started very well, closing down from the front and spreading the play Dubai and Charney looked dangerous on the flanks with Archie and Kevin causing their defence no end of trouble. Sam and Louis were holding the midfield  and the defence started strong Morgan, Tom, Connor & Mario.

First chances fell to us and really the strikes were too weak. After 10 mins we got the goal we deserved great cross by Morgan and overhead kick by Kevin what a goal ! We continued to create but the ball would not go in. 20 Mins and Sam was on the receiving end of a bad tackle which basically ruled him out of the game . Patrick came on to partner Connor and Tom pushed into midfield. Still we held the game and created Archie was unlucky on two or three occasions. 25 Mins in and they broke the forward lobbed Josh and the ball was going towards the goal however their forward was infront at the time followed in and stole the goal offside !! That was a break. But it didn’t last for long their play broke down the right and Tom tripped him in the box but the player played on and missed the chance. However the Ref pulled it back for the penalty. 1.1 . Frankie and Saul came on wings to add fresh legs  to the match and helped win a corner.With 5 Mins to go we got a corner Louis took it and it missed the man on the post and the goalie pushed it in 2.1 You all deserved the lead at half time.

Second half started but this time we were against the wind and it definitely told we struggled to get the ball out and they pushed 3 upfront. The first chance fell to us Kevin was put in and took the chance too early blasting it over the ball when either he could of took it on and shot or squared to Archie. Not every goal has to be a screamer !!! After that we had a few chances but they started to dominate. Two or three times they should of scored. We stopped tracking back and we stopped closing them down. More and more chances fell to them and it was only going to be a matter of time. Unfortunately the goal came with two minutes to  😦  2.2

Really that should of been it but in injury time they crossed the ball bounced off the post hit one of our players and went in 3.2. and that was the end of the game. All i can put it down to was a bit a fitness as to why we dropped off in the second half. If you are not getting the ball drop back and get involoved.

Keiths MoTM was Morgan who played really well

Training is hopefully on the grass but bring Astro if the Lights don’t work

The sun was out again and it was another fantastic day for football and the good thing was all of you seemed to think that as well!

We started off really well. The closing down and harassing training last week definitely paid off. We were quick to the ball and everyone was putting in a shift.

A few half chances were created but nothing clear cut, We must try to punish teams when we have all the pressure. The defence and midfield worked hard, infact so hard i had to tell Josh to keep switched on because i don’t think he touched the ball for 20 minutes.

Unfortunately they broke and there striker smashed a goal from the edge of the box. Josh had no chance. But we carried on got our reward a run by Kevin in the area and they gave away a penalty. Tom dispatched the penalty  into the side netting 1.1

Soon after they gave away a free kick from just outside their penalty area. Their manager was so fed up that he took off their best midfielder and gave him roasting…… Well done Boys :)Louis put the ball just wide of the top corner great effort. It was just heading towards half time and they broke down the left the striker pushed it foward and just beat Josh to the ball 2.1

Still you all carried on from two corners Kevin and Tom were both unlucky. Half time 2.1

I had to go at Half time but Keith told me it was much the same again even with a couple boys playing different positions. Kevin and Charney at the back and Frankie playing as a defender but in the strikers position. Carl even hit the post with a long range shot

Big shout to Sam who played a thankless game as he had to mark their best player and he did a fantastic job.

However Keiths MotM has to go to Josh who didn’t get lobbed.

Training is on Grass on the Rugby pitch tomorrow. See you all there

It was a bright sunny day and thats where the fun stopped !

We started the match really well, Tom was pushed up to help Archie and to change things around a bit, In the first 5 minutes i think we created 4 or 5 Chances. Finally the pressure told and Archie finished well to the keeper’s left. Soon After Tom put Archie through and his shot was just wide, We then still had all the pressure and the better play.

We challeged for each ball and passed quickly whilst also switching play. Suddenly a long ball down they broke with a good finish. 1.1 After that we reverted to stero type. moaning at each other, holding the ball too long and not challenging or tracking back. The second goal came from no challenge in midfield and then no one followed their players. i counted 5 on 3 at the back and its 2.1 half time.

We were still in the game at this point, but i saw no passion in the second half. Too many people strolling around hoping to get the ball. The 3rd goal came when there player walked up the right wing past 4 players who didn’t even challenge him who crossed to unmarked player in the middle !!!!

Now goal 4 even i made mistake and learnt something new You cannot be offside from a goal kick, the player turned and shot Goal ………….. The fifth and final goal was all to familiar we gave the ball away in the middle, they shot and josh was off his line 5.1.

The last 15 minutes i saw some effort we had 2 or 3 chances which we didn’t convert, However it also showed me two situations which epitomised the game.

1) They had a throw on by their penalty area. Three passes later and a dribble and they were in our half and in that time not one tackle or challenge was made.

2) Last play of the game we broke and i think it was 4 or 5 against 3. Any other team would play a diagonal ball towards the runners  instead we tried to take the ball to by-line and beat every player. Not gonna happen we are not that good …….

Last two main points to think about lets try to take our chances earlier, strike the ball hard and put a tackle in,if you fail don’t give up get up and try again.

Training is at 6.30 on the Astro

Keiths MoTM      Archie Who i also thought worked hard upfront all game and showed some fight. Maybe too much 😉