Tough Game and not the best pitch.

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

The games started at 100 Mph with no one really taking control. The first couple of half chances fell to them and we responded with a couple of shots from Joey and Gabe. However the first real chance fell St Albans who hit a cracking shot that hit the top of the goal and ran along the line how it stayed out have no idea. Tom cleared to Connor who fed Jed who in turn fed Gabe. Gabe went past the keeper but he pushed him wide and the ball bobbled as he hit it putting it past the post. It could of been a goal at either end in seconds.

The next ten minutes we had a bit more pressure Reynolds and Chris both created half chances when they come on. They hassled the defence and kept them under pressure. Reynold had the best chance but his shot went wide.

With ten minutes of the first half left the first goal came. We backed off their players too much. Three/ four players all stood around waiting someone else to tackle the striker. No one did drove on and hit a great shot into the top corner 1.0

The last five minutes we created some more chances. Arlind played Gabe through and some how Gabes shot was saved by the keeper. No idea…….a Corner from Joey and Jed seemed to fairly challenge the keeper however he went down and the Ref gave a free kick and ended the game as Jed was about to score. HT 1.0

Second half you came out much stronger, Saul started to influence the midfield and push everyone forward. Again we started to create half chance and the referee did not want to award us any decisions. First real chance feel to Jed who a smart shot saved by the keeper at his near post. Tom had a free kick saved by the keeper. Frankie swept well at the back while Morgan and Edonis upped their game and started to dominate the forwards

Finally the pressure paid off the ball was one in midfield Tom held off the defender and Gabe ran on he beat the defender and calmly finished with his left foot (to add). 1.1

Last ten minutes was all us again a chances but nothing seemed to break. Our best chance game in the dying minutes The old Connor corner to Saul routine, Saul powered the ball down to the corner and goalie looked to be behind the line as he saved it. The linesman said he didnt see which was surprising as he had super vision the previous 80 minutes of the match when it suited him. Anyway no goal and the final whistle went not long after FT 1.1

As i said a tough game and probably a draw was the fair result.

MoTM, Today i thought Theo had a really good first half and worked really hard in the wing back role, Gabe held the ball up well in attack and looked dangerous, However today it was Saul had a colossus game in the middle and really started to dominate in the second half, almost capped it off with a trade mark header at the end.

Well done all ! Next week Spring cup at home. But training first

At least we got a game played …….

Today’s squad Frankie , Tom, Morgan, Edonis, Jed, Chris, Saul, Louis, Joey, Connor, Gabe, Reynolds, Jack, Arlind and Theo

The pitch was probably not the best small, bobbly but at least it was dry. The small pitch i and the strong wind i think effected our game more than theirs. We started slow but assured. Tom got complacent at the back and a clearance fell to their striker who hit a really good shot. However Frankie was alert and made a great diving save to palm the ball away for a corner. The first twenty minutes we had the better possession Joey set up a few chances and Gabe should of scored, but at times we needed to release the ball quicker. The grass was very long and the ball got easily stuck under feet.

Finally after around 20 minutes Louis fed Chris down the right who cut inside the penalty area only to be badly taken out by the center half and came off injured. Tom placed the penalty to the keepers left 1.0

Very soon after Jed broke down the the left and shot at goal the keeper seemed to have it covered however he palmed it into the back of the net. 2.0

From here we should of closed the game but we kept making it hard work for ourselves cheapily giving the ball away, foul throws and offside. all stuff that can be easily ironed out of our game. Lets put it down to lack of practice.

Anyway its was from a sloppy mistake that they broke down our right and i have to say the forward scored a cracking goal 2.1

The rest of the half we were always the better team but failed to turn pressure into goals HT 2.1

To be honest it was not the best half i have seen you play and Nick also aged asking for a better response in second half.

Second half started and you looked much more in control. The keeper made to or three good saves to keep them in it. Finally the pressure paid off a poor kick from the keeper which Gabe controlled, his first shot was well saved but he followed in and smashed it into the net 3.1

Again this should of been the sign to push on but soon after we let them back in to the game. We failed to clear the ball and the forward ran into score 3.2

Now the game got tight and bit niggley, you must remember to let your football do the talking and don’t get involved in petty arguments.

The last twenty minutes and again we had the best chances Joey was unlucky as a cross field ball just went pass him at the back post. Arlind put a great ball through which the keeper saved well from Gabe. Finally the pressure told, Reynolds and Louis worked the ball really well down the right. Louis drove in from the touchline played a ball across the box for Connor who was coming in at the back post. However the defender bundled it in the goal . Give that to Louis 4.2 and that was game over.

Chris broke from our own half and was taken out in the box. Another penalty. For change we let Chris have the penalty but the keeper saved well Unlucky.

Last five minutes again all pressure from us and a corner from Connor found Saul unmarked GOAL (feel like I have written that once or twice) and Saul was Happy 🙂 LOL           5.2 and FT

Definiately a bit of rustiness your play but well done everyone. Training tomorrow night as usual 6.30

MoTM All a bit tight this week. Some very average performances in the first half followed much better in the second half. Saul much better second half sat deeper and controlled the midfield, Morgan again better second half some good interceptions and covered the full backs well. But this week it went to Chris won two penalties also played some nice passing with the midfield. Worked hard on the wing or up front, really unlucky not to have scored today. Well done Chris……