Tough result after such good all round play…..

Today’s squad Josh, Theo, Edonis, Tom, Morgan, Callum, Connor, Louie, Kevin,Gabe, Reynolds, Jonathan, Faizan,Jack.

Apologies if i get anything wrong as i was busy try to referee the game, but over all i thought you were really good. We started out well and had the first few half chances Gabe and Reynolds both unlucky on a couple of occasions. The back three looked strong at the start as we knew they were always going to play the ball long at any chance. However after about 10 minutes they broke down our left, a couple soft challenges and the forward was in on goal. He placed it in the far corner rather than power and made 1.0 very much against the run of play.

We still had more of the ball and played the better football and created some really good chances. Finally we got the goal our play deserved. The ball initially came down the right with Theo/Gabe and got played across the box. Faizan brought the ball back in and played it across the six yard line. The defender miss kicked it, Louie dummied it 😉 and Gabe tapped into a empty net 1.1

We still had some more chance Jonathan had one tipped over the bar and a couple of scrambles in their penalty area but it just wouldn’t go in Half time 1.1

Second half started very much in the same vain a short corner by Faizan and Louie ended with a cross/shot from Faizan going in. Good goal, good work and variation on what we were doing in training. 1.2. For the next 15 minutes we gad most the play. Reynolds was unlucky with a Lob as the keeper came out, Theo put one just wide. But the main thing for me were that we had a good shape in the back three and three in the middle of the park. Chances came and went and eventually we paid the price. From a corner initial ball was cleared but the second not challenged quick enough a soft shot back in somehow crept under Josh’s feet 2.2.

The next 10 minutes i have to say was all Olympiacos they put a couple of chances wide and very soon it was 3.2. Another corner first ball was cleared second ball not closed quicker enough and another soft shot crept in at the near post.

Last 10 minutes was helter skelter it felt more like a cup match than a friendly. No one argued no ones head dropped you all really tried. Another quick corner from Connor and Louie fell to Jack who smashed it in 3.3

Chances still came Connor put one wide after good play by Reynolds, Gabe was unlucky with a good shot and Reynolds had one saved by the keeper that was going in the corner. If anything you all pushed up too much and got caught on the counter attack. We had a couple of chance just to clear the threat but we dallied to much. 4.3

Last two minutes we pushed everyone forward a couple of well taken corners but still the ball wouldn’t drop in. With the ref about to blow time a penalty was given as the player tried to clear the ball with his arm. After a while the penalty was taken by Kevin who tried to place it in the corner but it went just wide Final Score 4.3 Unlucky………

MoTM: Theo had a really good first half as a wing back, But i am going to give it to Edonis he played really well the first 60 mins ,dealt with lots of high ball and covered the wing backs really. I though you all played excellent today, this team got promoted but if you asked a neutral to pick which team it was that got promoted they probably would of said us.

Training tomorrow at the Rugby Club please let Nick or myself know if you are not coming.

A comfortable friendly……..

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

The main idea about today’s game was to try some different ideas and practice what we have done in training. Firstly we started with a 5.3.2 formation playing wing-backs for the match. Secondly we wanted to improve our corners both defending and attacking.

The first goal came from good work down the left the ball was played into Gabe who passed the ball into the back of the net. From then on we were the dominant team. Five minutes later Louis broke through the middle and also passed the ball into the back of the net 2.0

After fifteen minutes a corner from Faizan and Louis met it at the near post to make it 3.0 good to see our corner practice had paid off. Tom had 30 yard shot well saved by the keeper and Jonathan was unlucky with a couple of his chances. Just before half-time Gabe made it 4.0 with a nice finish.

Second half we started well and again had them on the back foot. Reynolds had a couple of chances to score but was unlucky. Josh then made a nice double save as they broke after an attack. soon after we had number 5. A short corner between Connor and Louis ended with Kevin finishing well 5.0

It was around here that we had a controversial point. Theo broke really well down the right played the ball across/back for Jonathan to finish. However the goal was given for offside but to be offside the ball has to be played forward!!!!

At this point Nick made some changes and allowed him to try players in different positions.Gabe finally got his hat-trick with another good break 6.0 Number 7 was soon to follow as Gabe fired in at the back post after another corner. Connor then nearly scored after Reynolds broke down the right as the keeper made a good save.

With 5 minutes to go Reynolds got his goal that his play had deserved a good through ball and he calmly placed the ball past the keeper 8.0. However this was not to be the last goal as everyone seemed to switch off for the last minute and straight from center they scored a consolation goal 😦 8.1 This was really unlucky as the defense and Josh had played really well all game and deserved a clean sheet. Also Josh’s goal kicks were much better.

MoTM i thought most of you played well today. First half the middle three drifted to wide or forward together at times its important when we play three that one person always holds.We did get lucky a few times as you all pushed forward looking to score in the second half and we left our selves short at the back keep your shape and ensure you are goal side. Theo played really well the second half and i am giving it to him.

Training tomorrow night at the Rugby pitch let Nick or myself know if you cannot come.