A good hard fought friendly ……..

How happy am i that we played this morning and not at 2PM its pouring …..

Today squad Tom, Jack, Morgan, Edonis, Joey, Faizan, Kevin, Louis, Connor,Reynolds, Gabe, Jonathan, Charney & Joel

Due to no fixture we played the Foxes two divisions above us, unfortunately the foxes only had nine players so Joey and Charney played for them, so everyone could get a good run. Also with Josh away Tom went in goal for us.

The first half Herons kicked uphill and wind against , so we had a lot of pressure but for the first twenty minutes we kept them too long shots from outside the box. However at times we gave them far too much room and space. We needed to be closing down and tackling hard. Finally after 25 minutes the Foxes got the goal their pressure deserved a ball was worked into the box and an unmarked player finished well 1.0. After this we had a few half chances with Reynolds and Gabe finding space down the wings. 30 minutes gone and after some good work down the wing the ball is played in and deflected off Archie to score 2.0. With the second half almost over a really good free kick made in 3.0 HT

At half time nick changed it to 5 – 3 -2 and along with the slope and wind seemed to help. You all stopped showing them too much respect and got more stuck in. Unfortunately they broke from a corner and scored a good goal 4.0. The pleasing thing it would of been easy for you all to drop your heads but you all carried on and got the goal your second half play deserved. Some neat play between Louis and Connor set Gabe free down the left who cut inside his man and finished well at the far post. 4.1

Suddenly you were a different team. You all became more confident and started to play a lot better. Morgan and Edonis attacked the ball a lot more rather than sit back this seemed to help push the play into the Foxes half. In the space of 5 minutes Jonathan and three good chances after muscling his way through but just couldn’t finish. Tom made a fantastic triple save at one point then Faizan created a couple more chances robbing the defense and playing in Gabe. However against the run of a play a really good solo run and finish by “T” made it 5.1

Last five minutes and it was all pressure from the Herons from one corner Jack shot but it was cleared on the line, Frankie saved a really good free kick from Louis but finally the pressure told. Faizan played in a good corner and Kevin rose really well to put a thumping header in 5.2 FT

A little bit more belief in yourselves and a little less respect to the opponents you will all do fine against teams from higher divisions. I think a few of you had written off the game before it even began and it took our first goal for you all to realise that you all had a chance. When we play a higher division team in the next few weeks i want you all to believe you can win and give 110%

I guess training will be on the Astro tomorrow unless this rain continues, Nick will let you all know ASAP.

It was one of those days …….

Today’s  squad    was Josh, Louis, Morgan, Edonis, Callum, Theo, Faizan, Connor, Kevin, Reynolds, Gabe, Jack and Joey

We started well , passing the ball around and creating a few half chances, Gabe and Reynolds both were finding space behind the back four. The goalie made a couple really good saves from Gabe in the first ten minutes. However we were not to score first. The ball got played in behind and the defence and a rash challenge from Morgan gave away a penalty. To be honest is was the first thing any of the back four had had to do. The forward scored 0.1

The good thing was no one moaned but you all got on with it, and you got the goal your football deserved. It came from a throw and some neat passing between Gabe, Connor and Faizan ended with ball at Reynolds feet who drove forward and shot low and hard at the base of the post. A really nice goal also made more pleasing was that in the warm up we discussed shooting low and hard which was obviously taken aboard. 1.1

With five minutes of the half to go Reynolds this time broke down the right and got a early shot away which the goalie initially parried up but the ball drifted in and over the line 2.1 HT

Second half started but this time i felt we were slow to come out. They had the initial pressure and created a few early half chances. We struggled to get the ball forward quick enough, wide enough or just to our own players which constantly invited pressure on to ourselves. The pressure told and they scored a goal. Now most of you say the ball went out but we always tell you play to the Referees whistle. Everyone stopped, the ball literally trickled across the six yard box and everyone left it. Their winger came in unmarked and scored the easiest goal he will ever score 2.2

Fortunately this seemed to wake you up and we started to create some chance again, but the game was end to end. In the Last 15 minutes Edonis shot well from two corners that just hit defenders so unlucky. Josh made a great diving save from their free-kick. Kevin put two chances just wide and then they got another penalty ! Edonis was adjudged to have caught the man in the follow through (Very Harsh) However the striker went to put it into the Top Corner but instead blazed it over.

Last five minutes and Gabe had our best chance of the half he robbed the full back of the ball and drove into the box but shot high and wide when placing would of been better. We definitely finished the stronger and had about five corners in quick succession but it wasn’t to be. Final Score 2.2

MoTM went to Reynolds two goals and worked really hard in midfield. He got back helped the defense and looked dangerous in attack, But more importantly listened to advice 🙂

Anyway training tomorrow We know Tom and Joey are away anyone else please let us know

Well at least the weather was better than the first time we tried to play, but to be honest the pitch was still very heavy.

Today squad Josh, Jack, Morgan,Edonis,Callum,Joel,Connor,Faizan,Tom,Gabe,Reynolds, Joey, Kevin

Nick started with a 4.4.2 formation to try and exploit the size of the pitch with Reynolds and Gabe’s pace. It started well and Gabe had a couple half chances. Reynolds took one early with his left and was just wide all in the first ten minutes. We then came under pressure for about five minutes as they had four corners in quick succession. It was during this phase that we let a goal in against the run of play there number 10 drifted to the edge of the box, picked the ball up and shot really good goal. However the ref had missed a foul on Faizan in the build up so a bit unlucky. 1.0

Nick changed it as we were being over run in the middle 3 v 2 so he dropped Joey in as the anchor and we reverted to a more familiar 4.1.4.1. The chance began again. Very soon we were back level, a corner by Faizan was flicked in by Edonis. 1.1

Gabe had a few more chance and switched with Tom to outside left to give him more space as every time he went forward the linesman would give offside even if he was or not. Connor picked the ball up played a neat one two with Faizan and then played the ball up Tom who placed it home, really nice goal. 1.2  With five minutes of the half left we got a free kick, Tom played it in and Gabe neatly volleyed it in. 1.3 Halftime.

Second Half started and they came out a bit stronger eager to make up for losing. The first few half chances feel there way but really Josh didn’t have to make a real save as the back four were back to there reliable selves. A couple of times we played ourselves into trouble when we should be clearing our lines. After about 15 mins Tom broke though the middle slotted the ball home 1.4

From here on in the opposition heads dropped and we could of scored quite a few more. 25 Mins gone and Tom won the ball played it to Faizan who played out to the right Connor then brought the ball forward and rolled it across the face of the goal to Reynolds who timed his run well and smashed it in. That was a great team goal 1.5

Some more pressure from us and the goalie pulled off three saves when it looked like we going to score, Connor then had one saved by the goalkeeper, the final passage of play put the icing on the cake. Reynolds floated in a great free kick and bounced it off Gabe’s head (don’t believe Gabe headed a ball) scoring his first headed goal of the season. Referee blew his whistle 1.6

All in all good performance by you all. Everyone worked hard and encouraged each other. Next Game home next week to Aldenham details to be arranged. which will leave the home fixture with Mill Hill also to be arranged. Lets win our last two

We know Tom and Joel are unavailable next week anyone else please let us know

Training Tomorrow on the Astro