Definitely an End of season game…….

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

Nick rang the changes to give a few players more game time and to see how they would respond in the starting line up with next season already in his thoughts.

Unfortunately you all started like you were still in bed. On the first attack we had three chances to clear yet took none of them eventually the ball fell to there winger who played the ball across and it hit Jack and it went into the goal 0.1 after approx 45 seconds. This then led to painfull 15 minutes, you were all so quite no one was calling for the ball, no challenges were made we didn’t attack the ball. They nearly scored a couple more times with long balls down the middle, we didn’t attack the ball, let in bounce over our heads for them to run onto goal but Josh was on his toes which enabled him to stop the danger.

After 17 minutes Nick switched all around and we started to take more control on the game. Gabe and Reynolds both had some half chances but nothing concrete. Best chance of the half fell to Gabe after a great free kick from Edonis but the goalie saved well. Whilst we had more of the ball we found it difficult to create any real chances. Morgan defended really well at centre half and to push us forward as often as possible, but they played a high line and we fell offside far too often. Half time 0.1

Second half and Nick changed it around again to give some players more game time in different position. This half you came out battling and wanting to win and we had the pressure from the word go. Still though the chances were few, Tom got taken out when he was put through, from the free kick Louis brought a good save from the keeper.

Free kicks seemed to be our best chance, Edonis put one over the bar and had another cleared on the line by the defender. With Five minute to go we had our best chance the ball rolled across penalty box by Gabe, It looked like Edonis was going to smash it in but he seemed to just tap it, which gave the defender time to clear it off line. We had a couple shouts for penalties but i think the Referee had taken a vow of silence and not been to “Spec Savers”. No matter what we threw at the opposition which included the Kitchen sink we just couldn’t get the goal you play deserved. On a serious note if the game was crucial then we probably wouldn’t have played Jack, Morgan and Edonis up front but its important the boys enjoy there football and that everyone does what is asked. All the players gave 100% in that second half no matter what position they were asked to play. Well done all of you. Full time 0.1

MoTM : This week it went to Louis he worked really hard and played some nice balls through and i thought he created a chance in the last minute that was going to give us the draw and i think he even took a punch in back for the team.

Training tomorrow is on grass (Rugby Pitch) if you cannot make it please let Nick or myself know.

There is no game next week or the week after (Easter) but we will try to get a couple friendlies in April.

Very very unlucky ………

Today’s squad Josh, Kevin, Morgan, Edonis, Tom, Louie, Joey, Faizan, Connor, Joel, Charney, Reynolds, Callum and Theo

Afternoon kick-off again and the rain just held off. We started the game really well and in the first five minutes Charney was causing them problems at the back with his pace latching on to a long ball and forcing the keeper into a good save. Very soon another chance fell to Charney and he put it over the ball. Mean while back in the defence we were looking good. Morgan had a great match in reading the game and was constantly intercepting the ball with Tom,Edonis and Kevin all looking solid and providing a good platform to push forward with.

After about 15 minutes Charney broke again after a neat through ball from Connor and probably his best chance but the shot went wide of the post. With ten minutes to go we all got caught by a long ball over the top and the striker ran onto it and shot outside the box into the top corner. 0.1

The next chance again fell to us Callum flicked the ball on and it was played into the box where Theo had a chance cleared off the line. Josh then made two great sweeper/keeper clearances to keep the score down. Half-time 0.1

Second half seemed to start a bit slowly and we were on the back foot for the first ten or so minutes. Eventually the pressure told and they broke down the right and scored too make it 0.2. Twenty five minute to go and now you all seemed to wake up. We pressured up higher on the pitch Nick changed it to 4.4.2 and wee seemed to regain control.Faizan had a run and shot that went wide and Charney was unlucky and the keeper made about two or three really great saves. With twenty minutes gone we got a lifeline a good run by Faizan into the box and the referee a judged that the tackle was unfair – Penalty – It may of been a soft penalty but it was given. Connor took it low and hard to the right, but the keeper guessed right and dived to get a good hand to it, he then got up quickly to foil Reynolds on the follow up. However Reynolds soon got the goal the play deserved, A great shot from just outside the box as the keeper came rushing out made it 1.2

The last ten minutes it was all HW & W Nick switched it too 3.5.2 to try and get the draw and to be honest i thought you would. Charney had a definite penalty not given after he was taken out by the keeper. We had a few other half efforts but just couldn’t find a way through. They nearly did score a third in the last minute but Josh made a great save and then they kicked it at Josh when it was easier to score the rebound.

MoTM – Morgan had a really good game at the back and i thought Charney had a great 20 minutes at the start of the first, But i gonna give to Connor who worked really hard in midfield today, constantly pushing the ball forward, unlucky with the penalty and didn’t let his head drop after the save.

Everyone should be pleased they were supposedly from a division above but on a different day you could of won by 2 or 3 goal. Well done everyone

Training is on the grass tomorrow night so see you there. So BOYS who ever is their first please grab two goals.

Please let Nick or myself know if you cannot make it.

A bit out of sorts …….

Today’s squad was Josh, Charney, Morgan, Edonis, Kevin, Faizan, Connor, Louis, Tom, Reynolds, Gabe, Theo, Jack, Callum.

Lets get the Ref bit out of the way first, he was awful, didn’t know the rules and was very bias….. Gary and Waj had thankless task of linesman because he never used them. But thanks guys.

The match well all over the place really we started OK Gabe and Reynolds causing a few problems at the start but we allowed them to cause us to many issues through mistakes. With a poor ball, bouncy pitch and strong wind you must all attack the ball and don’t let it bounce. We also got carried away by the oppositions long ball tactics and let ourselves be drawn into a long ball game ourselves. We by-passed the midfield far to often we are better passing the ball, dribbling and playing it wide. It was when we played the ball down the left we got a goal. Gabe drove into the box and shot past the keeper 1.0

Very soon after you all switched off from a corner no one marked and they scored a free header, Two players will still strolling back to defend when the kick-off was taken ! 1.1

Play carried on , we had for me a clear penalty not given with a hand ball on the line and should of had another when they pushed one of you in the box for a penalty. Half-time 1.1

Second half we picked our game up a bit and pushed them back more. However they hit us on the break the ball was cleared for a throw on , but we failed to mark any of there players as they took a quick throw. He ran towards goal and Josh was a hesitant in coming off his line the ball was lobbed over him as Edonis almost cleared it off the line 2.1.

Josh made up for slight error with a fine save soon after that kept us in the game. From her you rallied again and started to dominate more. Faizan had a good run and shot that went just wide, Tom also had a shot wide but we just were not hitting the target enough. However another break away and you almost conceded again. Callum made a good tackle and Reynolds looked to be clearing up, however a blatant foul was not given and they crossed to open goal only for the striker to blast over. (Should of gone to Spec Savers).

With Five minutes to go we got the equalizer after some sustained pressure and good work by Louis and Charney down the right the ball was played into the middle . The ball eventually fell to Connor who’s shot was saved , but Gabe was first to pounce on the rebound 2.2

Last five minutes it was all Hadley Wood but you just couldn’t fashion a decent opportunity.

MoTM – Edonis and Morgan both played well today but it just went to Morgan he blocked and closed down all match, putting his body on the line for the club. Total commitment.

Training will be on the Astro as its fuzball . If you cannot make it please let Nick or myself know.

Well done all and well thought back. Big game next week !!