Down with a Bump …….

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Saul, Henry, Jed, Sony, Connor, Harry, Arlind, Gabe, Morris, Joey, Polly, Max and Tommy

The first five minutes i felt we were on the front foot and were pushing the defense back. Soon after they began to dominate bit and were pushing us back. They won two corners in quick succession and the second of these saw there 6ft 5 inch striker header free into the net 0.1  ten minutes gone.

We were still on the back foot and not winning the midfield. A few players were too high and not tracking back enough. Nick changed it to 4.4.2 with Jack in the middle and Saul back in field. From i hear i felt it was a much more even contest with little actual clean chances falling to either side. However injury struck Henry mad a great tackle but took a knock on his leg and foot and could play no further part. So Morris got drafted to centre half !

Still little chances the last twenty minutes but it was tough game, every tackle got a extra kick or grab of the shirt as they tried to rial you. Finally we got our best chance Max broke down the left and cut in and it hit the post. The ball flew out and Connor first time stab flew just wide of the post. With five minutes to go injury struck again as Arlind limped off and out of the match with a ham-string strain. HT 0.1

Second half again i felt we started better with a couple of breaks and half chances. However once again the ten minute mark proved our downfall a ran down the right and he ran across the byline maybe Frankie should of done better but he pushed the cross out and it fell to the forward who passed it into a empty net 0.2

Two minutes late and the tie was over, a miss understanding and a miss header at the back left the striker clean through Frankie saved the initial shot bit again they scored the rebound 0.3

The last twenty five and we came under more pressure which we dealt with well and i felt we looked dangerous on the break. Frankie made two good saves firstly a one on on that he blocked with his feet and soon after he got back to the far post to save a goal bound volley. When Frankie was finally beaten Morris was on line to clear with a great header.

Last fifteen i felt we had a goal in us. Max was unlucky with a long range effort and Gabe also put one just over the bar. Gabe also was found in some great space down the left but cut in a couple of time and the danger was cleared. With ten minutes to go  injury struck again as Max was clipped in the tackle and was out of the match.

Jed had a great run down the left played the ball across and no one could get on the end of the cross. Last ten also see Harry leave the field with a thigh strain. Sometime thats how the game goes. Full time 0.3

MoTM Two players really caught my eye Polly who played really well at right back and further up when asked, non stop running really tried the other was Morris started up top and finished a center half put a real shift in for the team made some great tackles and blocks Morris just pipped Polly Well done.

well done all see you on Wednesday

Harder games will come ……

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Henry, Louis, Ollie, Saul, Connor, Jed, Arlind, Max, Sony, Tommy, Harry and Morris

Whilst the result speaks for it self, the most pleasing fact was some of the football that was played. The first twenty or so minutes were competitive. A few late tackles rose the temperature of the game and really the the referee should of clamped down then however he didn’t.

Max was unlucky with a couple of early shots and he caused the trouble every time he broke behind the defence. Two really good efforts drifted just wide.

The first goal came after twenty or so minutes Jed broke down the left and ran through unchallenged as the keeper came forward he slammed it home at the near post 0.1

We had all the play for next ten minutes and we probably should of scored two or three, finally we put some breathing space between us when Ollie whipped in a corner and Saul headed home 0.2.

Two minutes later and another corner this time from Connor found Saul at the back post, this time his head went just wide. Another five minutes went by and i was starting to get nervous that we didn’t have the goals our play and pressure deserved. I didn’t want a repeat of last week when we didn’t take our chances and got punished in the second half. However the last ten minutes you settled the tie.

Jack won the ball and a simple pass to Saul who passed forward to Morris who played it into the box for Harry to pick up cut inside and smash home 0.3

Couple of minutes later and the ball was won in the midfield played up to Harry who had Jed overlapping on the outside. all I could hear was “LAWSON” Harry played it forward and Jed scored going across the keeper. 0.4

Morris was then played in and looked certain to score however the keeper made a fantastic save, but not to be kept down Morris soon scored. Tommy ran down the right played the ball across Connor dummied freeing up Morris who slammed it home 0.5 HT

End of the half was marred when one of their players lost control and should of been sent off but again the Referee was weak and said he didn’t see it. I was pleased that you didn’t drop to their levels and did your talking with goals.

Second half kicked off and in the first minute Max had a opportunity and pushed wide not so be set back he found the back of the net a couple of minutes later and this effectively ended the tie 0.6

Goals were to come thick and fast so i apologies that i cannot remember them in detail. However i do recall some near misses…..

The ball was played down our left, the ball rolled across the box. Morris looks like he is about to tap into a empty net when a player materlised in the box from thin air to make him push it wide 🙂

Ollie headed forward a clearance put Harry clear in on goal and he smashed it home 0.7

Harry completed his hat-trick with a smart finish 0.8

Next five minutes were the Ollie show. Ollie plays a one-two in the middle and carries on his run through the middle of the park. As the keeper comes out he goes for the chip and it just drifts over. Soon after the ball is crossed it from the left and Ollie scores as he runs in 0.9

Not to be done on the Hat-trick front. A change of formation see Jed up top and in second he in though and passes the ball into the back of the net 0.10

A corner is taken and Ollie bundles it in at the far post 0.11

So the next goal was cracker, Louis picks up the ball on the half way line and moves forward as no one closes him down as he gets near it looks like he is shaping to cross as we have four players in attack, but he decides to shoot the ball rifles into the the top left corner 0.12

Last two goal were easy balls played forward and the opposition were not going with you Jed made it 0.13 and Harry 0.14

Now i am sorry if i didn’t mention you all but i know nearly everyone had attempt on goal and were unlucky (Arlind, Sony, Tommy, even Jack in the first half)

Well done everyone !!!

MotM Some fine performances out there today we looked solid through the middle of the park between Tom, Henry, Saul, Connor. Frankie made one save but his kicking on pass backs  and distribution was excellent. However today its a joint award to Jed and Harry four goals a piece and some of them superbly taken. Well done boys !!!!

Training on Wednesday see you then

A Game of Two Halves …….

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Henry, Hyde, Harry, Saul, Connor, Joey, Max, Morris, Gabe, Louis, Sony, Tommy and Jed. including the five new Summer signings !

We kicked down hill the first half and i felt from the off we started well putting their defence under pressure. Max was unlucky in the first couple of minutes which set the tone  of the game. Joey and Harry were both causing problems down the wings and the middle of the park was being won by Connor and Saul.

After around 15 minutes we got the goal our play deserved, Henry intercepted the ball at the back and brought it forward. He then played a good ball through to Saul and Morris at the edge of the box. The ball ended up at Morris feet and in the net 1 .0

Soon after good work between Connor and Joey the ball was played into Morris who took a touch out of his feet and scored a really good goal. 2.0

Almost straight away i thought Morris go his Hat-Trick a early ball down the middle he rounded the keeper and finished nicely. However he got called for off side. Personally i think not ……..

At the moment we were by far the better team and Nick began to ring the changes and the fresh legs seemed to increase the pressure.

One great move was Sony played the ball out to Jed, a quick 1-2, Jed played it back to Gabe who i thought was going to score, except for a last ditch tackle knocked it away for a corner. Sony took the corner and the ball ran in front of goal no one could get the final touch.

Chances kept coming and how i wish now that we had taken them some more. 2.0 HT

Second half and started well creating the first couple of chances. However the long ball and slope seemed to pegging us back and we lost some shape and discipline . They broke down the right we didnt close down in the area and a cross/shot hit the post and went in 2.1

The next twenty minutes we were under pressure, whist still looking dangerous on the counter they were getting opportunities. Finally with 25 mins gone the pressure told a deep cross from the right went all the way over. We had a couple of chances to clear the danger but the ball ended up to their forward who finished from 4 yards out.

Last 15  minutes i thought whilst they had more territory with the slope and wind we seemed to have chances on the break.

Frankie made a great one on one save and then Henry cleared the lines.

Tom put a free kick just over bar

A long range shot from them went just over.

Sony took a great free kick that fell to Saul and Max but somehow the ball would not go in.

Frankie tipped the ball over the bar after a cross/shot.

We put some pressure on ourselves with some silly fouls in the last minutes but i was pleased to see the game out for a draw. 2.2 FT

MoTM : Today the first half was excellent. I thought everyone contributed and it made us a team to look feared. Second half well lets talk about the first…. LOL Anyway players of note Henry really good game at centre half looks assured and plays the ball out well, Hyde work hard and made so many interceptions, Harry looked dangerous all on the attacking third all game, However it went to Tom, marshaled the defence well, cleared lines and very unlucky with a free kick.

Well done all. Lets bring this good work into the rest of the season.