Cold Day, but a warm feeling at the end of the game

Today’s squad Frankie, Louis, Edonis, Tom, Jed, Olly, Saul, Connor, Arlind, Morris, Max, Gabe, Joey, Harry and Tommy

Twas the last game before Christmas and all was still……….bah humbug LOL

Much better start to the game, a little slow in pressing but we did not give any goals away in the first five minutes. They did start better and had most of the possession but we also looked good on the counter attack. They had an early chance that went just wide. The strangest event was a great interception/ toe poke by Jed was deemed a deliberate back pass to Frankie who picked it up However the free kick came to nothing.

With fifteen minutes gone Max got the ball on our left and took the ball forward, he whipped in a fantastic cross that beat the defence and keeper to find Ollie Mc coming in at the far post to prod in 1.0

The next fifteen we came under a bit of pressure, they kept the ball well and created a few half chances that they should of scored from, finally though our resilience broke and from a corner they scored ! My main cause for concern was that the player was completely unmarked and was their tallest man… 1.1

Last fifteen were very tight with both teams creating chances, they nearly scored from a cross to the back post but the goal bound header was cleared by Connor. Saul, Tom and Edonis all made some vital tackles and clearances and Frankie made a superb save from a free kick going in the top corner.

At the other end Harry found some space on the edge of the box but the left foot shot was pulled wide , Gabe probably had the best chance at the end of the half as the ball got pulled back to him on the penalty spot and i thought he going to smash the ball home however it went over the bar. HT 1.1

Second half started and we were a little slow out the blocks, the ball was played forward and found a man in space and free 1.2 after five minutes.

No heads went down you picked your selves up and and hit back in the next ten minutes. Joey won a free kick, Tom hit the ball towards goal, the keeper misjudged completely and Saul head into the back of the net 2.2

Soon you got yourselves in front, Max won the ball after a poor goal kick by the keeper, he ran down the right and the angle got tight so i thought he was going to cross however Max had other ideas and blasted a shot into the far post a fantastic finish!!! Max then nearly injured himself as he ran into the cricket fence when going to celebrate 3.2

The last twenty you found yourselves under pressure but kept your shape and made some great blocks and tackles. whilst we always created chances. Gabe and Morris played a fantastic One/Two on the edge of the box and Gabe’s left footed shot went wide. Harry nearly got on the end of clearance from the back and saw his shot saved. Gabe was involved again in what i thought was going to be sure goal, Good work by Jed on left played Gabe in, Gabe cut back in on his right and i thought he was going to shoot and score instead he laid it to Saul whose first time shot was blocked by a defender.

The last five minutes was definitely “Park the bus” Tommy made a good tackle and Frankie cleared his line well. I got nervous on corners but we managed to hold firm finally the whistle went and a hard fought victory 3.2

MoTM Today i was pleased with all of you it was a tough match and they were a good side. We were missing a couple defender so we had to make changes. You all battled, closed, worked hard, created chances and supported each other as a team. My MoTM was Max an assist for the first goal and scored a fabulous one as well. He won headers in the middle of the park when he dropped deep to help the midfield while always a danger and threat in attack. Even taking it to the corner flag in the last minute and getting a whack for his efforts.

Well done all training on Wednesday and then a break for Christmas ……….

A deserved win ………

Today’s squad

Frankie, Louis, Jack, Edonis, Sony, Hyde, Jed, Connor, Tom, Joey, Morris, Gabe, Harry, Saul and Polly

Another slow start from us again, not enough pressure on the players and too many sloppy balls, however the first couple chances fell to us. Good work by Louis and Tom down the right saw a Morris shot well saved by the keeper. Somehow they managed to block the rebound. Soon after another ball forward found Morris who was unlucky with a shot ,Connor followed the rebound and saw his shot cleared on the line and they scrambled the ball away for a corner. From the corner Connor found Edonis and his header hit the bar and went over.

Soon we paid for over playing at the back and a ball across the goal was picked up by there forward who ran in to score at the far post 0.1 fifteen gone

This actually seemed the pick up you all needed. Jed won the ball played it to Tom who played inside to Connor and his through ball to Gabe gave him a 1 on 1 which the keeper saved well at his feet.

Jed won another ball in the middle and drove forward he played in Morris who unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box to score 1.1 25 mins gone

Literally 5 mins later Gabe picked the ball up in the opponents half and shot. The ball sailed over the keeper who was off his line and flew in under the bar 2.1

Last fifteen saw you move up a few gears and chances came . Saul drove down the left and cut the ball back somehow Brady scrambled the ball away. Tom was unlucky with a good shot low at the keepers near post. Just before half time Frankie makes a great save at the edge of his box in a one on one situation 2.1 HT

Second half started well we were on the attack straight away and unlucky with a couple of chances. However with a slender lead and I always felt there was more goals in this game. A good corner from Polly found Gabe in the box unchallenged to head it in 3.1

More good work down the left this time by Louis found Harry who cut into the box and blasted the ball home 4.1

Brady broke and after good work found themselves in our a box a excellent shot was fantastically saved by Frankie to tip round for a corner. However from the corner we were undone after the ball was cleared a speculative shot took Frankie by surprise 99 time out of 100 a routine save Frankie took his eye off and the ball went in 4.2 Brady had their tails up

It came very end to end with us still having the best chances Edonis hit a great free kick that the keeper saved to his right and they scored almost from the break away down the the right a cross./shot drifted in the far post 4.3

Time to step up a gear and you did almost straight away a free kick on a right was played in and here is something i never thought i would say Gabe leapt like a Salmon for the SECOND time in the game to score with his head Yes two headed Goals 5.3

Now the pressure seemed off and soon it was wrapped up with a nice team goal Edonis short free kick to Hyde, Played the ball to the edge of the box to Connor, who fed Jed in the area. Jed crossed for Morris whose first shot was blocked but he poked home the rebound. 6.3

Last five minutes and Morris hit the post , Polly was unlucky with a great shot and then i thought Polly was gonna finish it with an overhead kick you could of easily won by more FT 6.3

MoTM : After a sloppy ten minute i thought to a man a great team performance a couple of individuals to note Louis good work in both wing back rolls, Connor excellent in midfield making tackles and some great through balls, But today it went to Gabe he has had a tough couple of weeks not everything going his way but today a great shot and two headed goals. He worked hard for the team closing the defence down when they had the ball and taking his chance. He was upset he missed a chance with his left foot before the second goal as that would of been a proper hat trick !!!!

Well done all see you at training