Hi All

Due to commitments i didn’t write this weeks blog that honor went to Tom Rackind. I pleased with his efforts and might make it a regular item that the boys write the game review and i will add any tactical analysis. I thought everyone played really well and Patrick stepped in to play a vital sweeper/keeper role. Anyway thanks Tom and hope you all enjoy.

We went into the game needing a win to put us through into the semi- finals; and we managed to gain our first win of 2014!

We started the game strongly and looked capable of scoring on many occasions. Midway through the first half a kick from their out of position keeper fell straight to Mario, who clinically took advantage of the error. 1-0. Hendon responded well (at least one of them did) and managed to smash the ball past Patrick, who had a really good game in goal. 1-1.

In the second half we were kicking with the wind and we managed to keep up the flair we have lacked in the second half recently. We all saw it coming, and after a great move of attacking play and perfectly pinged passes Kevin managed to sweetly hit one home. 2-1. Again, we slightly lost focus after our goal and turned off for a minute which was perfect for Hendon. After some really unlucky defending Hendon managed to just keep the ball in and slot it past Patrick. 2-2. That was the drive we needed to really put us in front. We pushed and pushed until Archie managed to belt the ball in from outside the box. 3-2!

In the final minutes we decided to defend what we had. Louis and Sam dropped back into a more defensive role and the back line took no chances and defended neatly. It was a deserved win for us and Patrick got man of the match for stepping up and covering very well in goal.

It was the 2nd round of the cup this week and i felt we just were not as committed this week as we have been the last few weeks. I am sure because you all thought it would be an easier game you took it easier.

We started fairly well and had the first few chances. However it was the opposition who scored first. We gave away a silly free kick and a fortunate shot from outside the box, caught Josh off his line 0.1 Doh. To be honest it was the kick up the backside you all needed. You responded well Archie followed in a scored soon after 1.1. Next after some good in midfield work Tom was put through and cooly finished 2.1.

Connor played a great cross ball to Charney who drove the ball in to the far side of the goal 3.1, However they still had some pressure and Josh made two fine saves to keep the score at 3.1. Keith ran the changes and Frankie scored a good goal and perhaps could have had another one , Kevin soon scored making it 5.1 allowing Keith to rotate some players and positions even playing three at the back for a while. Just before half-time we let there striker walk around 4 players and score. Nobody went to put a challenge in or even close him down 5.2 Half time.

Second half first 15 mins was fairly uneventful we had some good play but some terrible decision making whilst having all the play. Either too many touches, trying to go round 5 people, weak shots at the goalie, Shooting when the ball should be squared, passing when the shot is on and not taking a touch when you had time.

Then came the last 10 minutes. A silly silly goal a weak shot that Josh parried but just rolled in 5.3 There heads went up yours went down next minute lost the ball from the kick off and it 5.4 OMG

Keith re-organized  back to a back 4 and tried to kill the game, however too many people got caught out too far forward and the broke 5 on 3 before you knew it was 5.5. OMG

Last two minutes and we pushed for the winner we had a couple half chances but nothing clear cut and it wasn’t to be. At least you didn’t lose like last week!

It was nice to see Morgan get a card for his birthday unfortunately it was a yellow card from the Referee !!!!!!

What can we take away from this ????? You have to think more in a game if the ball is not coming drop in or push across, How many times do i say it track your players even if he get past you dont stop running get back and help, lastly take the chances we are given size up the opportunity “can i take a touch and place it” or “am i being challenged and need to hit it first time”.

You should of won this game by a country mile !  Think what did i do wrong and how can i improve. But Dont blame yourself or your team mates. We win or lose as a team.

Any way training is tomorrow see you all there, hope you all wished your mothers a Happy Mothers Day

Keiths MotM was Charney who had an outstanding first half and worked had even when played at centre half.

Today was the first game in the Spring cup with who i believe will be our toughest opponents in the group stage.

We started very well, closing down from the front and spreading the play Dubai and Charney looked dangerous on the flanks with Archie and Kevin causing their defence no end of trouble. Sam and Louis were holding the midfield  and the defence started strong Morgan, Tom, Connor & Mario.

First chances fell to us and really the strikes were too weak. After 10 mins we got the goal we deserved great cross by Morgan and overhead kick by Kevin what a goal ! We continued to create but the ball would not go in. 20 Mins and Sam was on the receiving end of a bad tackle which basically ruled him out of the game . Patrick came on to partner Connor and Tom pushed into midfield. Still we held the game and created Archie was unlucky on two or three occasions. 25 Mins in and they broke the forward lobbed Josh and the ball was going towards the goal however their forward was infront at the time followed in and stole the goal offside !! That was a break. But it didn’t last for long their play broke down the right and Tom tripped him in the box but the player played on and missed the chance. However the Ref pulled it back for the penalty. 1.1 . Frankie and Saul came on wings to add fresh legs  to the match and helped win a corner.With 5 Mins to go we got a corner Louis took it and it missed the man on the post and the goalie pushed it in 2.1 You all deserved the lead at half time.

Second half started but this time we were against the wind and it definitely told we struggled to get the ball out and they pushed 3 upfront. The first chance fell to us Kevin was put in and took the chance too early blasting it over the ball when either he could of took it on and shot or squared to Archie. Not every goal has to be a screamer !!! After that we had a few chances but they started to dominate. Two or three times they should of scored. We stopped tracking back and we stopped closing them down. More and more chances fell to them and it was only going to be a matter of time. Unfortunately the goal came with two minutes to  😦  2.2

Really that should of been it but in injury time they crossed the ball bounced off the post hit one of our players and went in 3.2. and that was the end of the game. All i can put it down to was a bit a fitness as to why we dropped off in the second half. If you are not getting the ball drop back and get involoved.

Keiths MoTM was Morgan who played really well

Training is hopefully on the grass but bring Astro if the Lights don’t work

The sun was out again and it was another fantastic day for football and the good thing was all of you seemed to think that as well!

We started off really well. The closing down and harassing training last week definitely paid off. We were quick to the ball and everyone was putting in a shift.

A few half chances were created but nothing clear cut, We must try to punish teams when we have all the pressure. The defence and midfield worked hard, infact so hard i had to tell Josh to keep switched on because i don’t think he touched the ball for 20 minutes.

Unfortunately they broke and there striker smashed a goal from the edge of the box. Josh had no chance. But we carried on got our reward a run by Kevin in the area and they gave away a penalty. Tom dispatched the penalty  into the side netting 1.1

Soon after they gave away a free kick from just outside their penalty area. Their manager was so fed up that he took off their best midfielder and gave him roasting…… Well done Boys :)Louis put the ball just wide of the top corner great effort. It was just heading towards half time and they broke down the left the striker pushed it foward and just beat Josh to the ball 2.1

Still you all carried on from two corners Kevin and Tom were both unlucky. Half time 2.1

I had to go at Half time but Keith told me it was much the same again even with a couple boys playing different positions. Kevin and Charney at the back and Frankie playing as a defender but in the strikers position. Carl even hit the post with a long range shot

Big shout to Sam who played a thankless game as he had to mark their best player and he did a fantastic job.

However Keiths MotM has to go to Josh who didn’t get lobbed.

Training is on Grass on the Rugby pitch tomorrow. See you all there

It was a bright sunny day and thats where the fun stopped !

We started the match really well, Tom was pushed up to help Archie and to change things around a bit, In the first 5 minutes i think we created 4 or 5 Chances. Finally the pressure told and Archie finished well to the keeper’s left. Soon After Tom put Archie through and his shot was just wide, We then still had all the pressure and the better play.

We challeged for each ball and passed quickly whilst also switching play. Suddenly a long ball down they broke with a good finish. 1.1 After that we reverted to stero type. moaning at each other, holding the ball too long and not challenging or tracking back. The second goal came from no challenge in midfield and then no one followed their players. i counted 5 on 3 at the back and its 2.1 half time.

We were still in the game at this point, but i saw no passion in the second half. Too many people strolling around hoping to get the ball. The 3rd goal came when there player walked up the right wing past 4 players who didn’t even challenge him who crossed to unmarked player in the middle !!!!

Now goal 4 even i made mistake and learnt something new You cannot be offside from a goal kick, the player turned and shot Goal ………….. The fifth and final goal was all to familiar we gave the ball away in the middle, they shot and josh was off his line 5.1.

The last 15 minutes i saw some effort we had 2 or 3 chances which we didn’t convert, However it also showed me two situations which epitomised the game.

1) They had a throw on by their penalty area. Three passes later and a dribble and they were in our half and in that time not one tackle or challenge was made.

2) Last play of the game we broke and i think it was 4 or 5 against 3. Any other team would play a diagonal ball towards the runners  instead we tried to take the ball to by-line and beat every player. Not gonna happen we are not that good …….

Last two main points to think about lets try to take our chances earlier, strike the ball hard and put a tackle in,if you fail don’t give up get up and try again.

Training is at 6.30 on the Astro

Keiths MoTM      Archie Who i also thought worked hard upfront all game and showed some fight. Maybe too much 😉

At last……. We finally played a game of football.

The pitch may not have been fantastic , a little sticky in places but generally not bad.

Game started off at a quick pace we closed well in midfield and gave them little time, However we gave away a early goal. A long ball down the right and we were caught out. Dubai was caught out to far up field and Josh a little slow off his line. The good thing was we didn’t let our heads drop in fact we started to play some football. The first real chance feel to Mario who just put it wide. After that we started to build some real pressure. The defence kept firm and must of caught there player offside around 30 times with Chris having a real battle with there number 10. With Connor and Sam passing the ball forward at every opportunity Charne and Carl were creating chances for the forwards. To be honest we should of scored at least twice with chances falling Kevin,Archie, Mario and Sam.  I don’t how but we finished the first half 0.1 down.

Second half was always going to be difficult with the wind against us, We started a bit slowly and they had a chance in the first minute. Then 10 minutes in they made it 2.0 a very long ball down that went flying with wind and they scored as we were outnumbered at the back. Still we carried on battling. Josh made two fantastic saves, they hit the post twice and also shot wide with a open goal. Yes we rode our luck a bit but we deserved it. Finally we got the break we deserved Connor and Louie combined in the middle and set Sam through who finished superbly 1.2 back in the game. We quickly had another chance by Mario which was well saved by their goalie. Sam also had another shot well saved by their goalie and they were rattled. all they had to offer was the long ball. There was only one team playing football !

A few corners and still no Joy, Charne was unlucky with one run and Kevin had a excellent chance to make all square. However it was not be our day with 5 mins to go we got caught trying to over play and they scored a very good goal. The last 5 mins pitted out to nothing.

A few points to think about, try to strike the ball cleanly and dont be afraid to use your weaker foot. Sometimes play the ball the way you are facing dont turn into trouble. Play ball back turn and look for space behind the defenders. When passing the ball lets also look to play the ball behind a defence.

Training bring please wear the yellow top for training. Please bring both boots and Astro tomorrow

Remember positive attitude at training, messing around will not be tolerated as we now have a large squad.

Keith MotM  Chris

See you all tomorrow

Well another weekend and another match cancelled due to water logged pitch. Unfortunately the outlook is for more rain this week……..  😦

Anyway training tomorrow night, lets put real effort into it as we are really lacking match practice. I am guessing it will be on the Astro unless Keith’s tells us different.

See you tomorrow

A big thanks to Keith for writing this weeks report

Today , we played Omonia, in what should have been our home fixture. Unfortunately, the appointed ref couldn’t make the match, as we had to switch venues to their ground, as ours was unplayable. So we had to put up with their lovely lady ref! Who we have encountered several times in the past.

The game began well, with herons having a fair share of possession, but omonias first real break resulted in their one, talented player scoring their opener. Archie then had a chance, but it fell unfortunately to his weaker left foot, and he skewed it wide.
Omonia broke again, this time from our corner! And scored a second.
Their third, before half time , was unfortunately a far too regular occurrence, being straight from a corner, which we just didn’t defend properly.
Credit to the boys though, they all battled well and plays some very nice football at times.
Defensively , Kevin ,besides moaning too much, did a creditable job as centre half replacement for Patrick who was ill. Thomas, was asked to man mark their danger man, and he did this extremely well. The look of joy on his face when that player was subbed, was worth coming out for! Morgan did a sound job as right back. And Frankie continued to show improvement game on game .
Unfortunately despite a strong start to the second half, we again conceded a couple of soft goals, and before we got back into the game we were 6..0 down. Again the boys didn’t give up ,and Archie managed to net one to make the score a little more respectable.
All in all, their one star player was a level up on all, and made the difference, plus the useless refereeing from the lady, who doesn’t know what a foul is, but really knows what a foul throw is. Priorities!! Poor result, flattering to them, I thought, and the match ruined by the ref, yet again!
Still man of match goes to Kevin, and we look forward to the next match vs Hendon
Keith

Yesterday morning i was think what a great day, really looking forward to football on Sunday. Who would of thought that 24 hours later we would be facing a frozen pitch.

So i thought i would start with some key performers. Big Nick Rember was a colossus in that midfield. He “Dug” himself in the middle and filled all the “holes”. He was fetching and carrying all game (his bucket). While David “Messi” Vince was all over the pitch, hugging every line and even sweeping up at the back. What these two wouldn’t do to get the game on, but sadley to no avail. LOL

So what ended up with was six five-a-side games against Ominia, who unlike us had one very strong team and two lesser teams. whilst we had three evenly spread teams. On my pitch we had a 6.0 loss, 3.0 loss and a 3.2 Win. On Nicks pitch 3.2 Win 6.2 Loss and a 4.1 Win

Im not going to go through each game but rather just put some general observations:

5-a-side is all about pass and move. Too often when we had the ball i could see 3 or 4 players within 6 feet of each other.

Tracking back go with the runners, if the opposition break and you see its 3 on 1 dont stand and pray get back and help. If the defender can hold them up, it gives time for you to help.

Control is so important in 5 side and also you must ensure the pass reaches the player.

Use your goalie to help defend. Pass back move into space look for the return and then move forward.

Keiths Men of the Match : Nick & David

Anyway training tomorrow night on the astro FUSBUL 6.30 till 7.30 and then normal

Wrap up warm bring gloves!!!!!!

First I would like to thank Frankie for going in goal at the last minute because Josh wasn’t well

We started very well and had the first chance, unfortunately the broke we had a chance to clear but didn’t take take it 1.0, very quickly after it was 2.0 again we didn’t take our chance to clear the line.

After that we started to play Charney was causing problems down the right and Carl on the left. Khalid broke twice and was unlucky not to score. To be honest we had 3 or 4 more chances but failed to take any. Just before half time it went 3.0 Frankie made a good save but they were quicker to the rebound.

Second half we let in a goal as Frankie clearence hit the attacker and they put it into a empty net. But still we had chance Archie was unlucky with one that hit the post. Carl and Kevin forced good saves. The defence were much better with Tom, Connor Patrick, Chris, Saul and Mario all starting to dominate and play some good through balls. Finally we got the goal we deserved a good cross from the right and Morgan buried it in the corner. After that i felt we were the better team and had most the pressure.

However the action wasn’t over a harsh penalty was given against us and it was Frankie against there striker. He gave Fankie the eyes but he lept like a cat and saved well.  I have a feeling Frankie might be telling that story for a while LOL. After that i felt we should of had a penalty and also could of scored from numerous other chances.

All i can say if you had played like this last week you would of beaten HMH and today you were unlucky.

Keith’s MotM – Frankie

Remember Astro’s tomorrow as we might do a 5 a side tournament and no game Sunday.

All of you have a great Christmas and try to stay fit …… Keith, Nick & David