OK So where shall i start ……………….

To me you all had the wrong attitude at the start either it was overconfident or concerned that they had two players at 6FT (Who were not very good) not sure which it was but all i know was that you all stank in the first half!

There was no fight, no urgency no nothing. Too many of you trotting around the pitch hoping someone else would do the work four you. If you are not involved in the match then dont just stand there and let it pass you by. Forwards drop back to midfield and help win the ball and then turn and run stretch the play. Left/Right midfielders track back help the defence or tuck in the center to help out Dont hide !!!

This was really the cause of the first goal people did not track back leaving a opponent a free shot outside the box and some how it went in. Josh had no chance with so many people in the way. The second goal was unlucky and the player never meant it. After a sliced clearance a hopeful cross got caught in the wind and dropped in.

Even after the two goals you had all the play Archie shot well but the goalie made a good save other than that no many chances considering where the play was. It would be a wayward ball, not playing the ball early enough, Playing it in the air to there 6FT center halves or crosses not clearing the first man.Lets Just say the first half could not end quick enough. Keith then gave you all the Alex Ferguson hair dryer treatment…….

Second half  – We were against the wind and kicking uphill so invited a lot of pressure on ourselves. Tom made some great defending headers about 3 in a minute but still the pressure mounted. From a corner they had a man unmarked in front of goal the ball wasn’t even crossed, he passed it too him turned and shot. 3.0 No way back now. Then straight away from a throw on no one challenges the bounced over everyone a flick on. no one marking goal…….. At least now you started to fight Connor sent Archie through and the keeper came out well. Charney hit the post from a driving run. You should of scored from a free kick if the Ref had allowed you take a quick free kick but all in all the damage was done in the first half. The last 25Mins you all played so much better i just wished you started like that.

Things we need to work on this week training: Challenging for the ball Corners and throw-ons, Tracking back and early passing . So see you all tomorrow for training and with serious attitude.

Every time we have a week off we always seem to play poorly the following week so perhaps we should always have some training in Sunday.

Keiths MoTM was Connor

Sorry it’s late everyone.

Match started slowly in fact we had the first couple of chances however we didn’t have our shooting boots on to make them count. They had a corner which we did not clear properly and before you know it we are 1 down 😦 . Still we had all the pressure and finally it told with Archie making the equalizer. 1.1
The game was very even at this point but we still had the better chances however again from another set piece we fell behind 2.1. Just before half time Maz follows in, turns and shoots, to make it 2.2

Keith’s point to you all was you should be winning this by a lot more and you did respond well. Four goals from Archie, Maz, Charney and Kevin made it 6.2 with 15 minutes to go. This gave Keith the chance to give some players time in different positions.The chances we created were really piling up and in fact it should have been 10. This in turn led to your down fall. The opposition broke and only a fine save from Josh stopped them replying. This should of been the wake up call you needed but everyone was still intent on scoring meant we were short at the back with no cover in Midfield. Olympiakos finally scored as they had 6 or 7 attackers against 3 defenders. Did we learn from this …… Did we Hell….. About 5 minutes later same scenario and it 6.4

Keith decides enough is enough and like a seasoned pro he decides to close the game out Pat & Tom back at Centre half with Connor sitting in front with Louie. The game shores up and we still had 2 or 3 chances to increase the lead.

All in all a good performance the main thing from this week was to challenge for the second ball. Far too often you watch the game after making a challenge rather than closing down the next player.

No game Sunday but training on Monday

Keith’s MotM – Archie

Well , Well that was a much better performance. Everyone tried that bit harder and the result showed.

The match started well for us and we had a couple of chances which we just couldn’t finish. We then got hit on the counter attack as we failed to clear the ball when we had a chance. However no ones head dropped you all carried on and encouraged everyone. Again we kept creating half chances but the ball just wouldn’t fall right for us. Just before half time we got hit again. This time i have to say by a quality strike . Maybe we gave him a little bit too much time but it was a good goal. Half – time 2.0

Second half  we again started well but then they had some good possession which they scored from a free kick, we didn’t track our players and they had two free headers. Still you refused too give in and finally you got the break you deserved. A corner from Charney and Kevin volleyed home 3.1 . Now we started to play football some nice passing and good movement. Everyone worked for everyone. Another corner and this time Louis steered it in after good work from Maz 3.2. We then had them on the ropes, Maz was taken out  when clean through. A good Cross from Carl and Charney was unlucky not score. We had all the pressure and were very unlucky not to get the equaliser that your play deserved.

I thought everyone played well From Josh who was much better coming off his line ,Connor and Patrick were solid in the middle of defence and distributed the ball well .Chris, Frankie and Dubai kept with their wingers. Louis and Kevin worked hard in the middle. Morgan, Carl, Khalid and Charney all gave them trouble down the wings. Arch & Maz always looked at threat upfront. I am pleased everyone concentrated on the football despite some serious intimidation from the opposition.

Lets take the same attitude into training and again into next weeks match and you will all start to see the benefits.

So were they a better team….. In my view NO, But we did our best to make them look like one.

Lets be honest the players all rolled up thinking they were going to walk this game. That is the wrong attitude, every team has to be taken serious and if a player is in the wrong frame of mind then it will effect there play. It also reflects training recently, this also needs to be taken seriously and no messing around, yes we can have fun but at the same time it has to be serious. Granted that we haven’t had a game for two weeks and i thought you could see that in the play, If matchs are cancelled people should make a effort to want to train on Sundays instead.

Offside : You have to learn to make a run from a on-side position before the ball is kicked. We had two free kicks where 5 people stood off-side. Forwards run across defenders to stay on-side, Midfield release the ball early trying to beat 4 players means the forward will eventually run off-side but not before the ball is lost.

Throw ons:  We only practised these a couple of weeks ago and yet i counted 4 foul throws. Both feet on the floor and release the ball from behind you head. Out field players need to move around and offer themselves for a throw-on or move to space and throw the ball into space. You cannot be offside from a throw on !

Positions: OMG if Keith asks you to play “Centre Mid” thats not upfront or Rights Mid. If you are asked to play “Left mid” that also not upfront and believe it or not but “Right Mid ” is also not upfront. At times it was  6 Oakhill Players against 3 or 4 defenders with no midfield to help.

Keeper : You must come out more and believe you will claim the ball, even if it means claiming the man as well. Let him know you are there !

Stop Arguing and blaming each other it solves nothing there is one manager and he is not on the pitch. Encourage each other take your frustration out on the opposition. If you make a mistake fine get your head up learn from it and try harder.

For the game, well the first half started well we went one up with a good cross from Morgan as it deflected in. A unlucky first goal where I was told the ball went off, but i couldn’t see the line in the sun. They followed up with two more, but we pulled one back after some pressure and a good goal from Maz. Half Time 3.2

Second half they scored after about ten minutes for me the goal was coming, our midfield was too light and not working had enough, with the full backs either diving in or being beaten for pace we were left 4 on 2 in the middle many times. Then came the game changing moment we had a penalty unfortuately Carl didn’t get a clean strike and it was a easy save their confidence went up and i saw our heads drop. They almost literally went down the other end and scored in a 6 on 3 situation. The rest they say is history…..

Lets chalk this one up to a bad day at the office (aka Keiths own words) and put this behind us. Please listen to your trainers and learn from mistakes, If anyone is unsure of any rules or wants to work on anything specifically please just ask we want to help you all improve.

Keiths MotM was Tom and Morgan

Hi

Sorry this weeks report is late but with Barmitzvah’s & Arsenal play its busy busy busy.

Anyway first half is by me and the second half is by Keith.

First Half

I thought we started really well and the midfield of Louie & Connor were well in control and pushed the team forward at every chance and Morgan played well at full back. We probably should of scored two or three till good work from Connor sent Kevin through but he was stopped by a good save, however the Archie was there in put the ball away. We continued to create chances and HMH were lucky to be in the game. However right at the death they stole a equalizer. We conceded a poor corner and didn’t clear the ball properly and its 1.1 .

Second Half

Unfortunately, as the weather deteriorated, so did our defending from corners! As a mix up between josh and Frankie allowed the ball to deflect into the goal straight from the corner kick via Josh’s knee.
However, even thunder and lightening does not dampen the enthusiasm of our boys, and a deserved equaliser came, when a well delivered free kick from Charne was finished off by in form Kalid. How we didn’t manage to get a winner is beyond me.we peppered their goal, and even had the ball in their net only for Kevin to have been ruled offside. To say 2-2 was a fair result, as some of the oppositions dads did, was wishful thinking,special mention for man of the match Kevin, who played exceptionally well in midfield . Also Morgan, again had a good game in the heart of defence.
We thoroughly deserved to win this game. No question\
As for improvements. Defending corners is a massive requirement , and quickly switching play would also be useful.

Also i will add to that throw ons (which we practised on Monday).

Clear the ball at corners. Have a good week all

That was a much better performance today. A few of you were asked to play in different positions and you all did it what you were asked.

The game got off to a flyer with a very good goal from Carl, from that point we dominated the match. Louis and Tom worked hard in midfield while a change back four of Chris, Patrick, Connor and Morgan looked strong and comfortable.

Kevin managed to bag a hat-trick before half time with one if them a header from a good cross from Charney whos pace down the wing troubled them all game.

The second half started with another fine solo goal from Carl and a poachers finish from Archie. Once we got to six it allowed Keith to rotate players into different positions. Saul got the chance to play right wing and Chris upfront. We did let slip a goal which gave the opposition renewed hope but Josh pulled off a couple of fine saves and then Kahlid bagged a quick brace at the end.

We play much better when we do our quick passing game and utilise the wide players who have good pace.

Things to improve:

Throw on’s – We must of done 10 foul throws Keep feet on the floor and release the ball behind your head. (Training this week i think)

Keep on side – look across the line, sometimes run across defenders before you run forward. Midfield release the ball early.

Thanks to Daniel for refereeing the game and the parents for coming in such bad weather.

Keith’s MotM was Morgan Well done who worked hard where ever Keith asked him to play.

Well not a great start to the League, were they five goals better than us probably not, Did they have a quality pacy forward yes they did. But we tended to make our own trouble. Some thoughts

1) Pass strong and pass to your players, giving the ball away cheaply causes quick counter attacks.

2) Come to the ball , don’t wait for it.

3) Once we have the ball pass and move, One / Two touch football.

4) If you beat a man don’t turn back in to beat another, look for a pass or knock it into space. Turn their defence.

5) Still need to work harder, close the players in midfield double up on the opposition , help out your team mate, dont stand, watch and pray.

6) Clear the ball if you have no options for throw on, do not play the ball back across your goal.

7) From our goal kick we have someone goalside of every player and challenge!

8) Everyone needs to be alerts all times.

9) Don’t moan and argue with each other it solves nothing.

At times we did play some nice triangles I saw Morgan , Connor & Franckie in the first half and Tom, Carl and Arch in the second. When we did that we broke quickly and looked dangerous. we just have to do it more.

Patrick worked hard against a very quick attack and never gave up, he kept trying and working till the end.

So everyone try to make training and work hard at training

Keith’s MotM was Patrick

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So it was the last of our three cup matches against much higher opposition. (Thank God)

Well on the plus side i thought the Referee had an awesome game and i was very surprised that Nick didn’t give him MoTM .

It was always going to be hard game but it didn’t help not having Patrick, Dabaye & Archie. Very simular to the previous games, started well 20 mins conceded 3 quick goals heads dropped. We then had injuries to Saul and Mario so even less options at the back.

To be honest they were a very good team with good pace and great passing we could learn a thing or two. Things to take on this week.

1) Close players down, dont let them have to much time.

2) If a player goes pass you dont stop and watch keeping running back to help.

3) KICK the ball, clear the ball keep your eye on the ball, a misplaced clearence causes so much trouble.

4) Stay in your positions.

5) Spread the play, play into space and turn the opposition.

Plus points, did i mention the ref, oh yeah. Charne battled hard and Kevin worked hard without a lot of ball. You all kept trying for the first 25 mins of the second half even if you were 8.0 at the break.

Anyway so Nick gave MoTM to Kevin well done

See you at training tomorrow and please bring any subs owed

Much better performance this week, even though we lost, Three of the goals were due to the conditions on a very windy day. We played a team from a division higher but to be honest they were not that much better.

Things to take home .

1) Play in the position you are given do not run around like headless chickens.

2) Go with runners and keep chasing back.

3) Challenge for every ball.

The match started off very even and we probably had the best chances in the first Twenty minutes. The first goal was lucky goal as the wind blew it in from a corner.

Two nil another corner, no challenge scramble hint of handball to knock it in.

Three nil long range with wind top corner, fourth another short corner we had numerous chances to clear but we didn’t,another cross and an unlucky slice for OG.

Second half different story, we had the wind and the slope. Good goal from Carl but they came back quickly after we failed to track back leaving the back four exposed.

Great goal by Charney (who had a really good second half) we also had two more one on ones a goal disallowed. They did hit us on the break at the end but all in all much better.

Everyone Please try to make training and get to matches at the specified time. Its important too warm up properly and sort out team selection.

Keith’s man of the match – Charney

Hadley Wood & Wingate 1 – Hoddesdon (Errm cant remember)

Well lets start with the Positives

1) Great Goal from Tom smashed home a free kick from 20 Yards to make it 1.1

2) The match was all square for 25 mins.

3) The rain held off till we finished playing.

Thing we should of learned today

1) Everyone needs to track back when defending.

2) For a player to be offside defenders must be behind them.

3) The Pitch is huge , so let pass into space and use the wings.

4) Every ball must be challenged for.

For a first game it was a tough ask to play a team 3 divisions above, but we competed well for 25 Mins then 3 quick goals and heads dropped and after that it was please blow the whistle ref !!

I must admit i did like our attaching formation for the last 15mins of 3 defenders 1 midfield and 6 attacker’s but it did open us up to the counter attack LOL.

Anyway the League is the important thing this year so we have 2 more cup games to learn about playing 11 a side and training on Monday.

Nicks Man of the match today was Tom