Mud, mud glorious mud ……

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Edonis, Morgan, Jed, Joel, Tom, Saul, Theo, Connor, Gabe, Arlind, Chris, Joey and Bucks.

The pitch to be honest was not the best very heavy and sticky in places and didn’t help our normal passing game. We began well with most of the pressure coming from us, Gabe was unlucky when played through and shot just wide, with ten minutes gone the ball was played through Gabe ran on and shot, the keeper saved well however the ball didn’t run out of play and Connor followed up well to pass it into an empty net. 1.0

For the next twenty minutes we had all the pressure, another good ball down the middle caught their defence very high up the pitch Gabe ran on and chipped the keeper as he came out. Nice goal Gabe as we practiced a couple of those in the warm up. 2.0

Very soon we had the pressure again, a good run by Joel down the right and he crossed to Theo, who looked like he would score only for the defender to save it on the line with his hands. PENALTY…. Tom strode up and placed it in the corner 3.0

I think at this point we got a little sloppy and over confident. Too many short passes in our own half not reaching the player and not enough closing the ball down. Mill Hill won the ball and played the ball up and it got stuck around the goal mouth only for the forward to literally bundle man and ball into the net. 3.1

Some more slack defending in the next ten minutes and Frankie made two good saves to keep us ahead. but still you didn’t listen to us and clear the ball long. We gave the ball away again in our half a good ball forward and really good finish 3.2

Last five minutes of the half you got back into the game but didn’t take the chances you were given 3.2 HT

Second half started, unfortunately Edonis went off with a twisted ankle, but we still had the players to cope. Soon Gabe broke a high line and finished well. 4.2 To be honest that early goal killed them off but the game wasn’t over.

Chris made some good runs down the right and was unlucky with a couple of shots, After another Ten minutes Saul broke from the middle and drove forward and finished well. 5.2

Very soon after a corner the ball got played in and Saul flicked the ball on to score his second a nice timed run and header 6.2.

Last ten minutes allowed Nick to change it around and give some players a rest. Joey should of scored when played through but the keeper saved it well. Jed had a great run but the shot was blocked by the centre half. Theo was unlucky when he followed up on a shot. however with so many pushing up we got caught on the break in the last minute which made it 6.3 FT

Overall a good performance in difficult conditions. Some of our players who like to run with the ball at their feet found today hard going. It wasn’t a day for pretty football which is not to say you didn’t play any. I saw some nice passing moves and great team play. A good player adepts to different conditions today was a day to play it wide into areas not so muddy and play it into space to run onto, knowing that the ball would hold up and use the pace of our players.

MoTM Two players stood out Gabe for his two goals, one assist and leading the line well and Saul two goals, two assists a rock in midfield and even played center half for a while. It just went to Saul, but well done both.

Last training tomorrow night Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all