Its was a cold start but it definitely got better both the football and the weather …….

Today’s squad was Tom, Jack, Morgan Edonis, Joey, Charney, Louis, Faizan, Connor,Joel, Reynolds, Kevin & Gabe.

We arrived to a frozen pitch and a very disorganized home team, No nets, no Corner flags and no Ref, So our fantastic asst Coach (thats me) stepped in to ref the game.

The match started and we were attacking straight away and had the pressure. A couple of chances came Reynolds went just wide and Connor hit the post. Joel was having great joy down the right wing just needed to get the ball in a bit quicker. The best chance probably came to them after some slack play in defense allowed them to run on and shoot but Tom made a really good save. Nick ran the changes and it was Gabe who gave us the break we thoroughly deserved. The ball bounced around in the box and Gabe poked it home 1.0. We were very much controlling the game at this point and i thought Louis played well as the CDM covering the ground and pushing play forward.

After 25 mins we attacked again and Theo followed in a shot from outside the box which the keeper could only parry. 2.0 We should of been putting this team to bed but we didn’t convert our chances and kept allowing them hope with sloppy defending and gifting them the ball. Defenders should not be turning into trouble or passing to the opposition. It was from one of these defensive lapses that they got there best chance of the half. The forward was clean through Tom came out but the striker shot very early and the ball tricked wide of the post – Very lucky Half Time 2.0

Lets just say Nick was pleased that we were winning but not by the football being played and the unforced errors that crept into our game. Nick changed the defense around played a few players in different positions just to liven a few players up ! Also the pitch started to soften up after the first 35 mins and became more playable.

Second half started and very soon we got the third goal Gabe finishing well 3.0. The next chance fell to them and they should of scored, Tom made a fantastic triple save and then the player put the ball wide. Faizan took the ball forward from the half way line and unleashed a great shot from the edge of the box 4.0 The game was over but you all kept going Nick wanted to get the clean sheet and you all wanted to score, but you all kept to the rolls that you were asked to play and the chances came.

Theo followed in shot and beat their player to the ball 5.0, Reynolds got two in quick succession left foot as he drove in from the left and a right foot finish after a great through ball from Connor 7.0. With five minutes to go we had a penalty, Joel assisted by allowing himself to be smashed to the ground by the goalkeeper, With the regular penalty taker in goal, Connor was the designated taker after some banter from his OWN team he coolly slotted. 8.0

All you tails were up and straight from kick off Charney won the ball and went past one, two, three players possibly four and fired the ball home (Reminded me of John Barnes in Brazil 1984 – Ask your dads) absolutely great goal. 9.0

With two minutes to go you still had two chances Kevin hit the bar and over from a corner and Edonis curled a shot just wide of the post. after this last effort the Ref blew for full time 9.0

Well done everyone some real solid performances today and a much better second half Joey played well at left back, Theo worked hard and Louis at either center midfield or right back, but todays MoTM went to Reynolds led the line well took his goals well and worked tirelessly even put a shift in center midfield when asked to do so.

One thing to work on is cut out the silly balls and errors and better team will punish us for these.

A new defensive training is being run on Astro on Thursday 7PM to 8PM anyone interested please let Nick or myself know.

See you all training tomorrow night.As usual if you cant make it let us know.