Silly mistakes cost us dear and goals in clusters ………..

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Edonis, Jed, Max, Connor, Saul, Ollie, Harry, Gabe, Joey, Morris and Tommy.

A strong wind definitely set the tone of each half AP had the wind behind them in the first half, long balls as we knew would be the order of the day. A cross from our left by past the entire defence and found their forward in loads of space. He took it down and shot, Frankie was on his toes and came out to block and then he pushed the rebound over the top.

The next twenty were very tight, the defence and centre midfield work hard as the ball was played forward. Probably the best chance fell to Max he was put clear down the left, as the keeper came out he lifted it over with his left foot only to see it drift wide.

With 25 mins gone we succumbed to two quick goal first a cross into the box wasnt cleared properly and the ball fell to a AP player who hit it into the roof of the net 0.1 Almost straight away we got hit down the right a low ball in and it looked like it would be cleared unfortunately it just fell in to their players path 0.2

We almost hit back straight away a free kick won just outside the area and Harry’s shot hit the cross-bar. Nick ran the changes and almost paid off. Morris broke down the right and was unlucky with a shot just outside the box 0.2 HT

Second half actually started well, we had the wind and it allowed us to play in their final third. Straight away Gabe and Morris created half chances that we were unlucky not to convert.

However again we were to pay for sloppy defending and concentration. First Frankie called the through ball, however he was beaten to it and the ball rolled into the net despite Jack’s best effort to clear off the line. Jack cut his hand on the net in the process. 0.3 Almost straight away we conceded a free kick Jack has to come off and we get a bit out of shape the free kick is headed in at with an unmarked player 0.4

The good news was that the you kept your heads as there was always goals in this game. Five minutes after they scored Saul broke down left cut inside and crossed to the far post were Max finished well. 1.4

We had the pressure now and they looked shaky at the back. A free kick from Tom found Edonis at the near post and his header found the back of the net 2.4

Pushing forward we were always susceptible to the break, as they broke quickly down the left they found a player clean through Frankie came out narrowed the angles and saved really well.

Fifteen to go and another cross into the box falls to Gabe who bundles it into the net 3.4

Last ten and the were in “Park the bus” mode. Ollie hit the post from a corner. Harry looked like he got pulled back in the box but no penalty given, From another corner it hits their defender and the ball drifted past the far post. We just couldn’t fashion a real clear-cut chance and the Referee blew for full-time bang on the 90 mins (another five and i feel we would have got the equalizer you deserved). FT 3.4

MoTM Tough game today first half I thought Connor played well in midfield won the ball, used it simply and drew fouls to relive pressure. Second half Max played well scored and tracked back down the right. However today it went to Jed, first half played at left back and defended well whilst always offering as an option to attack. Second half played on the left of a three and attacked the ball at every opportunity and the final ten minutes upfront where i thought the ball was going to score with his first touch but the defender got a toe in to clear. Jed great game worked hard for the team.

Training Wednesday as usual, Sunday Away to Hinton and Finchley

Well done all !! Really good fight back in the second half …. But no MORE four goal head starts !!!!!!

Excellent Start to the New Year with a really tough game

Today’s Squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Edonis, Tommy, Connor, Saul, Jed, Louis, Morris, Gabe, Max, Sony, Ollie and Arlind.

Lunch time kick off and for some reason we seemed to start a bit better ……….Hmmm (Extra Sleep). Right from the start the pattern of the game was set. AP won the ball and launched it forward to the striker which Frankie collected . Soon after we were lucky no to concede when a cross from the right evaded everyone including a unmarked player on the far side. Another long ball and this time the defence cleared well the ball was then played to Tommy on the right who ran down the wing, he cut inside first and then back out Morris gave him a great shout and Tommy cut it back to the penalty spot where Morris smashed it home. 0.1 5 mins gone.

Next ten minutes we came under pressure, a lot of long balls and crosses. You can see why this team score goals as they play a very direct and early game. With fiftenn gone the game was leveled. The striker picked the ball up after a clearance and from a far distance smashed the ball into the top corner. 1.1

Still we had to endure pressure, but when we did get the ball and played our passing game they struggled to cope with us. As i said to Nick early on , i felt this game had goals in it !!! We played the ball out of defence and drew the foul just inside their half. Edonis took the free kick , Ollie made a late run down the near side and flicked the ball in the middle to find Saul who scored, Again another well worked goal 1.2 25 mins gone.

Chances were to come for both side we hit the cross bar and Frankie made a couple really smart saves. Finally the crosses and pressure paid off for them and we were a little exposed as they scored with a header 2.2 35Mins

But to all your credit no heads dropped as you all saw that on the counter we had opportunities to score, it was from a counter/ clearance from Frankie that the ball found Max on the right. He ran down the wing and as he came up to the box he took a early shot. (As we did in training) The goalie had messed up his angles and the ball found the near post corner 2.3 40 Mins

With the end of half looming Louis was harshly adjudged for a high foot maybe chest height, and the player ducked down. Free kick on the edge the shot went over the wall but Frankie made a fantastic dive to his right to push the ball round the post 2.3 HT Fantastic Half but not finished yet !!!

Second Half started very similar to the first AP playing the early long ball, us soaking up pressure and hitting them on the break.

The first real chances went to them a corner was played in we didn’t go with the runners but fortunately they headed wide. Soon after another corner and this time Frankie punched clear when under great pressure (As we did in training). Then Frankie makes a magnificent double save first a really strong had stops a certain goal and he then blocked the follow up and the defence cleared. All the time we looked dangerous on the counter.

Another long ball was dealt with by the defence and falls to Jed in the middle a driving run takes him towards the box where he was fouled. Tom took this free kick and the ball went just over the bar. Another ball cleared by the defence is played up to Morris who is brought down on the edge of the box. Edonis takes this one low and hard, it clips the wall but finds the back of the net 2.4 65 Mins

However they would not go away. We gave away a free kick on the edge of the box near the right touchline a swinging cross/shoot curls into the top corner 3.4 75 Mins

Now its very much end to end they pushing for an equalizer, us looking to extended on the counter. Saul makes a couple great run down the left and almost finds Gabe both times on for them to scramble away. Max comes on at Wing back and makes 3 fantastic interceptions/ tackles. Finally we get the break quick passing by Jed,saul Connor find Morris who splits the defence and fires into the goal. Another fantastic goal 3.5 85Mins

Last 5 minutes i be honest was “Park the bus”, take to the corner, but again we had the last say as Gabe brought a fine save from the keeper in the dying minutes.

Final score 3.5 a fantastic hard fought win !!!!

MoTH: OMG this is probably the hardest i have ever done, You played with heart and dedication sometimes doing a roll unfamiliar to you. Honrable mentions Frankie three fantastic saves and no idea how many blocks. The back three Jack, Tom, Edonis headers, clearances, crosses and Goals. Midfield tireless work on a huge pitch Saul, Jed, Sony and Connor, Wing backs up and down Louis, Tommy, Ollie and upfront we took our chances, help the ball Morris, Gabe Max and Arlind. However it goes to Max but probably for his defensive display the final 25 minutes. He broke up play,tackled, headed clear and worked so hard to keep them out and oh yes scored a goal well done!!

Training Wednesday19:30, Game Sunday 12:30 KO Aldenham