Sloppy starts, with a sting in the tail…..

Today’s squad Frankie, Hyde, Edonis, Sony, Polly, Harry, Saul, Connor, Jed, Max, Ollie, Arlind, Gabe, Joey and Joey

Unfortunately we are getting into a bad habit, goals at the start of each half are killing us ….. And so it was today, in the second minute we didn’t go with runners and a speculative ball through the middle caught us on the back foot and he ran in on goal and scored 0.1

The next ten minutes we were under pressure and slowly we started to work our way back into the game. Some good play by Polly down the right played into Connor in the middle a quick 1,2,1,2 with Morris and Morris shot was pushed wide by the keeper.

From the resulting corner Saul got his head to the ball but found the side netting. Frankie was sweeping well behind the back three meaning we kept the pressure on going forward. Frankie then pushed a really good shot over the bar as the player cut inside.

Five minutes later we got the goal your play deserved, a great run down the left by Max a LEFT footed cross was met by a LEFT footed finish by Polly coming in from the Right wing. Its was a great Goal. 1.1

We were back in the game it was tight but i felt we had chances. However five minutes  before halftime They scored a soft goal as we didn’t clear the ball 1.2

We were then lucky when the Referee didn’t give a penalty for a foul. NOTE to you ALL, contrary to what the Referee said a foul is a foul you don’t have to go down to win a PENALTY that is just encouraging diving. HT 1.2

Second half guess what happened we gave the ball away and the scored in the 46th minute 1.3 To be honest this killed the game but at least you kept playing. Some really nice football with Jed and Joey resulted in a corner. From the corner somehow with had two chances to score and the ball would not go in the net.

Frankie made another couple great saves and Louis cleared off the line but once again sloppy in possession meant we gave the ball away to cheaply  and they broke. 1.4

Still you pushed forward we got a free kick which they broke from quickly we didn’t recover quick enough and was punished as they rolled into the net with a 4 on 1 scenario 1.5

Gabe was unlucky with a shot that just went over and Connor put one just wide, However in the last minute with you all pushing for a consolation we were undone again to make it 1.6

MoTM : Three players i thought played well today Connor played some great ball forward and work hard in midfield, Frankie swept really well behind the back three and made three fantastic saves and Oliver (Polly) Mcgahon who work so hard on the right hand side in attack and defence and scored a fantastic goal with his left foot. Polly is my MoTM Well Done

Next week we have a very winner-able game so i want us to come out from the start in each half. See you at training on Wednesday.

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.

Beautiful day for a game of football, if not a little hot. But i will not complain…..

Todays squad Frankie, Morgan, Tom, Edonis, Harry, Saul, Louis, Ollie, Hyde, Gabe, Morris, Connor, Joey, Arlind and Reynolds.

We asked for you to bring all that we been working on in training and finally you all did.

You started well, closing, chasing whilst retaining the ball when you didnt have it and it paid off in the first five. The midfield closed and the ball was fed down the right to Morris who ran on to the ball and shot low and hard, the keeper parried it out and Saul had followed in to easy the ball into the goal. 0.1

The good start was followed up by soon after by a well taken goal by Ollie, Good work from Hyde and fed Ollie in on goal. He calmly slid the ball past the keeper as he came out to block 0.2

With twenty gone Saul won the ball in the middle , passed it to Louis who then did a 1-2 with Morris and shot well. Again the ball was cleared but again Saul was on hand to fire it into the net. 0.3

Fifteen minutes to go and Saul picks the ball up in the middle ran down the right and cut into the box, as he ran in the defender fouled him and penalty was given. Tom gave Saul the oppourtunity to complete his hat-trick which he did putting it low and hard to the keepers left. 0.4

Last ten we got a little sloppy and complacement. From our free kick we overplayed (ball should of gone in the box) it in our half and got caught up field. They broke and Morgan did well  to clear for a corner. However you were not switched on a unmarked player in the middle blasted it into the roof of the net 1.4

We created a few more chances before half time but could not add to the score line. The defence who had played well all half closed out any danger HT 1.4

Second half started and we picked our game up again. Soon creating a chance for Gabe as he ran in and shot into the side netting. We still had to watch them on the break and defend well as this game was not over.

Early in the half they broke and Frankie came out and made a fantastic one on one save and the ball was cleared between Tom, Morgan and Connor. Soon after they had another chance they broke again down the left and shot, which beat Frankie but Tom swept up at the back and cleared off the line.

A long ball out of their defence and Saul headed forward to Morris who headed on to Gabe and he smashed the ball home. Fantastic Goal ….. 1.5 with twenty to go

Whats the old addage “You’ll never more vunerable than after you score” Well unfortuanetly it was so true. The ball seemed to richocet and bounce off two defenders outside the box. The ball broke to the forward who was clean through and scored litterally 3 minutes after the goal 2.5

Too be honest the next ten minutes was  a little scrapy and i think the heat took the toll on both sides as tempers (mainly theres) flared. Highlight were Arlind picked the ball up and ran at the defence his through ball was just cut out by the defender. Harry had a really nice bit of skill, flicked it round the defender and then flicked it over his head as he tried to get back, ran on and put a good ball in. Saul i feel should of been awarded a second penalty but it was not to be

Last ten i think our better play and the extra subs paid divedend. A good free kick from Connor and the ball went just wide by Morris. Saul almost got a fourth coming in at the back post but the keeper palmed it away.

The game ended with us having the play and pressure on a very warm day. Well done Boys 2.5 FT

MoTM. I thought you all played well today and could mention you all. However easy one this week Saul, Hat-Trick worked his socks off in the middle and was all over the pitch. Well done Saul really great perormance. @Gabe more bets with Saul please if this is the performance he give 🙂 LOL…….

No Training this week or Game on Sunday

Happy Easter / Passover to you all

Nick & David

Today’s squad Frankie, Tom, Morgan, Edonis, Joey, Saul, Louis, Connor, Theo, Ollie, Gabe, Reynolds and Harry. Unfortuately Morris and Jed both were unable to play due to injuries picked up on International Duty (LOL)

For a change it was nice not to go down in the first five minutes. You all took on board our advice and started the game at a high tempo, closing and covering. An early corner gave us our first chance. Connor swung it in and Gabe nearly bundled it in the far post however it went just wide. This was followed soon after by corner to the opposition and the clearence fell to them and the shot went over the bar. With Ten minutes gone we won another corner this time ollie played it in and the ball was knocked down to Edonis who drilled it home from the six yard line. 1.0

Herts came back with pressure of there own but the back three were dealing well with the threats, but with twenty gone they broke down the left cut back inside and crossed the ball only for the player to have a free head and place it in the goal as Frankie came out. I know Frankie was upset with himself but he has had a blinder the last couple. 1.1

Chances came at both ends first Gabe won the ball and broke down left and crossed to Connor whos left foot volley went wide of the post. Herts attacked and hit our post, Ollie had the ball in the net but was correctly ruled for offside. Harry and Connor worked a opening for Gabe and his shot hit the side netting. Our best chance came at the end of the first half, good work by Joey down the left played the ball to Harry who ran in on goal, he took it past the keeper and hit the shot with his left, unfortuately the ball went wide. Harry had more time than he realised, he could stopped put on his right and pass it in. so so so unlucky 1.1 HT

At Half time we stressed again the importance to close down and stay with players for the first five, no silly chances or mistakes, unfortuately we sliiped into old habits. A run down our left and the player had time to pick out a cross for opposing wide player to run in and head home unmarked 1.2

Not out of this at all and five minutes later we had another great chance Reynolds won back the ball high up in the oppositions half, released the ball early to Gabe who ran on and shot. The ball smashed against the post rolled along the goal mouth and was cleared by a defender. Almost straight away Herts hit us on the attack down the right and the defence got caught ball watching and drifted over to leave a man free in the middle to head home. Games are one and lost on such fine margins so from what looked like us being level we were 1.3 down with twenty to play.

The last twenty were very frantic we had a couple of chances, Ollie was unlucky with a shot, Gabe was unlucky with a free kick, on the flip side Frankie saved well when on a One v One situation. We pushed more and more forward in hope to get at least the consolation goal the performance deserved so the last five we had only two defenders Morgan and Edonis in extra time we got punished and final score 1.4 FT

Apart from Ten minutes of the second half I was pleased with the performace. I thought we created chances and defended well. Another day and it could eaily been a different result. Two league games left let finish on a high !!!!

MoTM, I was pleased with you all today mentions to Joey who had a good game, Reynolds excllent 15 mins before half-time , Todays MoTM went to Theo who worked really hard down the right and created a couple of good chances whilst making a couple of important clearences in the first half. I told Theo the wing back role is a tough and unforgiving position but Nick can play a few player in that positions so if everyone works hard for twenty minutes then they can get a rest.

Training is on Tuesday 6.15Pm

It has to be for 80 minutes …..

Todays squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Morgan, Ollie, Harry, Saul, Connor, Jed, Arlind, Gabe, Reynolds, Theo, Joey and Joel

Well we started much better this week. I will say the pitch was awful but you pressed, tracked players, little triangle and it was a very even twenty minutes with no real chances for either side. Suddenly a long ball takes a bounce and falls to the strike who shoot, Frankie makes a excellent save , but the follow up save was even better as it looked like they would score with ease.

We found it hard to create chances as they played the long ball all the time to keep us pinned back. A half chance fell to Jed after good link play between Harry and Connor they managed to fed Jed in the box whose shot went just wide as the defender challenged.

When we did go long i thought they looked shaky but we didnt create any real chances. The next chance again fell to them but again Frankie got a high hand to it and pushed it past the post another really good save. Just before half time Frankie came out to save at the feet 0.0 HT

Second Half and the first attack was us and we had our first shot just wide by, then a break down the left we didn’t track the runner and gave him all the time to shoot. It got caught in the wind and went into the top corner, nothing Frankie could do. 1.0

Back you came and started to press high up the pitch, This paid off Gabe closed the defender and won the ball, he ran into the box and played it across to Reynolds who looked like he would score however a wicked bobble took the ball away from him…… so so Unlucky. Almost straight away we were to pay they broke and Morgan picked up a long ball as he went to clear the ball hit the forward and bounced back from the 18 yard line into the far corner at pace After 50 minutes it was 2.0. The whole passage was so unlucky but i saw heads drop…….

Five minutes later it was 3.0 this time from our free kick played into the box. no challenge and it was headed clear, they broke and it was Five forwards against  Two defenders. Firstly no recovery runs were made, when the defenders did manage to block the first chance no one had got back to help so it was easy as i think it was now seven attackers against two defenders and a goalkeeper while the rest watched 3.0

So the next tweny you at least fought back with some pride, a couple half chances and the defence shore up again. I really thought you were going to get a consolation goal, but it was not to be. A possible offside but the referee (who had a really good game) played on and they scored 4.0 FT

MoTM : First half you all put a shift in. The back Three had a good first half Tom, Morgan and Jack,I thought Saul and Connor worked hard in midfield, But it had to be Frankie with Three Fantastic saves in the first half and a couple in the second. Well done Frankie but i would like to write a goal scorer as MoTM please boys !!!!!

A really good first half but you have to put it in foe the entire game. Work hard for an hour at training and bring that to the Game.

Boys remember to take Training seriously or it is not worth coming.

Home Old Owens sport KO 10.30 meet at 10AM Blue Kit

And that is the End of the Spring Cup !!!!

Today’s squad Frankie, Hyde, Edonis, Tom, Joel, Ollie, Louis, Saul, Joey, Arlind, Morris, Connor, Jed, Jack and Reynolds.

Afternoon kick off and would you believe it you were still all in bed !! We were 1.0 Down in around 45 seconds. no tackle no blocks they walked through the middle and scored. 1.0

It was still lethargic and slow but suddenly we got a break a long goal kick from Frankie bounced through to Arlind after the defender missed timed the bounce. The keeper came out pushed Arlind and the referee gave a penalty. Tom took the penalty but unfortunately put it too close to the keeper. Frankie made a good save after the forward was put in straight from the clearance of the penalty.

Our first chance came from a well taken corner by Ollie and the drifted over the penalty spot then past the post slightest touch from anyone and it would of been a goal. We still kept giving the ball away , not clearing and inviting the pressure on eventually it told and they broke forward and scored again 2.0

With twenty minutes gone another attack, people not tracking players and Tom cleared the ball too quickly (No one called that he had time) it fell to the forward and the scored 3.0

The last twenty we started to get back in the game Joey played well creating a couple half chances and best chance of the half fell to Morris the ball was laid back to from a corner scramble and the defender threw himself at the ball to deflect it for a corner. Morris then soon forced a good save from the keeper as he dived to his left. In the dying minutes of the half a corner to the opposition and player rose unchallenged to thump the ball home with his head. HT 4.0

So Nick asked for more passion, quicker closing, work for each other in the second half and you did that even though the game was lost. You started the half well and on the attack in fact creating a chance in the first minute that the keeper saved well. However you got punished again not outting a challenge in and they scored 5.0

The last 35 minutes were much even as a contest but we just didnt get any luck, Connor picked the ball up in midfield, spread it wide to Joey who took it forward then swung it in to Morris who i thought was going to smash it home but it drifited wide.

Soon after Morris got played in again and the ball hit the Cross bar bounced on the line and then was cleared. Frankie made a fantastic double save as they hit us in the break with four men against two when it looked like odds on they would score.

Ollie had the ball in the net but it was correctly ruled out for offside. Saul had a good header cleared off the line. No matter what we did we just got no luck in and around the penalty area. FT 5.0

MoTM: Noted performances from Jack and Arlind who had good spells, But todays MoTM is a easy one for me. Frankie made three or four fantastics saves in the first half when you were all over the shop. He is came off his line well to sweep behind the back four then finally a fantastic double save at the end of the second half. To be honest he was a lot less busy in the second half as the rest of the teams performance improved. Well done Frankie !

Overall boys you need to work harder and work harder from the start. You cannot give teams 2/3 goal head starts. You must work with high intensity and it starts from the forwards to midfielders to the defenders. You should not be strolling back ever, always jogging at least. If players go past you the work to get back to help the next player. Close players near to you so they dont have time to shoot or pass. This has to be the same in training, come with right attitude, work hard, try you best and then bring this attitude to the game on Sunday ! Remember on Sundays we have 3 or 4 subs so you should put such a shift in that you are glad for a fifteen minute rest so you can go again.

No match Sunday and then four league games that are all winnerable.

Well done on the second half

See you Tuesday for Training

Tough game but competed well.

Today’s squad Frankie, Tom, Morgan, Edonis, Hyde, Harry, Louis, Saul, Jed, Gabe, Morris, Reynolds, Joey and Joel

So the match started and before you could say anything we were 0.1 down. A simple run through the middle no tackle, no block, no nothing left the player clean through and scored. I mean we couldn’t of started any worse. After that we started to get back into the game, a good ball forward and Gabe held the defender off to feed the ball back to Saul who took too may touches and the opportunity went.

The football we were playing was good, neat triangles and competing well in midfield, however once we got around the opposition box too slow and not enough quality, giving the ball back too cheaply.

I don’t think we had a shot in anger in the first half, we had a couple of dangerous corners from Jed and Harry but the ball did not fall to any of our players. On flip side, Saul and Louis were growing into the game starting to win the midfield battle. The back four also started to reduce  the chances four the opposition.

0.1 HT

So did did we learn our mistake from our slow start in the first half —— NO A simple run through the middle and they scored again just not switched on. 0.2

Again the goal seemed to wake you up and you started to get back into the game, however chances were limited but effort was premium. You did not deserve to be 0.2 down. With 10 minutes gone a long ball over and the winger has a run in goal. Frankie comes out and saves well. Good save.

Five minutes later again a break down our right and Frankie saves well pushing the ball round the post. Edonis makes a really good headed clearance from the resulting corner. Finally we get our first half chance, Tom wins a free kick on the left and plays the ball into the box. Harry attacks the near post and shoots just wide whilst under pressure.

Last ten minutes and we start to push forward a bit more and get caught short at the back and they score the killer goal 0.3

With two minutes to go we have our best chance ball falls to Morris in the box and his rising shot is saved well by the keeper. A goal would of been just reward for your efforts FT 0.3

So overall was pleased with commitment and effort. All worked hard to get back into the game just need to be alive and switched on a bit more at the start of each half. This was a team who are second in the league and beat Whetstone 2.1 last week you cannot give them a two goal head start. You all still have to work harder and the passes needed to crisper and quicker when attacking. You must get shots off !!!

MoTM. So first mentions Joel played well at left back, Edonis won some important challenges, However today it goes to Tom Hyde (known as Hyde from now on , too many Tom’s) really played well tracked and tackled hard. Always looked to play the ball forward quickly but for me the highlight was praise and encourage he gave other team members. Hyde is a great addition to the squad and he seems to be settling in quickly.

Training is at 6.30pm on Tuesday please be there by 6.20PM. Rhys will be taking again and he is looking for you all to work much harder and come off that pitch knackered !!!!

Well we won the second Half 2.1 …….

Today’s squad Frankie, Ollie, Saul, Morgan, Jed, Louis, Connor, Harry, Gabe, Morris, Reynold, Theo and Arlind .

Well the day started with a below to the defence Tom injured an ankle and Edonis was sick so Nick had to make some last minute changes. Which meant us starting with a unfamiliar back four and midfield. We started on the back foot but restricted the clear cut chances. We found it hard to dominate the game and put pressure on there back four. The first warning came from a corner when a unmarked player headed wide of the goal when he should of scored. Soon after we gave away a free kick that was struck well to be honest i am sure Frankie will admit he should of done better and the ball went through his hands, 0.1

With fifteen minutes gone we had our first real attack, Morris won a free kick and Jed’s shot was well saved by the keeper. Almost immediately we were two down, they broke down our right and one player cut in went round 4 players and scored, not a tackle or block in sight …… 0.2

Soon we were to have a repeat of this goal, we had two chances to clear the ball took neither and it fell to the forward who ran in clean on goal …..0.3

Frankie came out twice to save at the feet of forwards as they broke through the lines. It looked like we would finish the half this score but the referee had other ideas, In the 43rd minute he missed a hand ball by the forward that put him in the clear to score 0.4 HT

Second half , we asked you to play for some pride and to forget the score, to give it your all and try your best, which i felt we got. You were all much more on your game, closing, harassing and wanting the ball. In the first twenty it paid dividends. Morris won the ball and upfront and rolled the ball into the on rushing Gabe who finish really well. 1.4

Five minutes later you were well and truly back in the game. Good work down the right by Theo found Morris who smashed it into the corner of the net 2.4

They were on the back foot but full chances were difficult to come by. Louis, Connor and Harry were dominating the midfield and keeping the pressure on the AEK defence. Our defence started to grow into the game and looked more settled at the back.

With ten minutes to go came our best chance, Good work down the right found Ollie driving in it looked like he was going to score but the ball rolled just past the post……….Aaarrrrgh

Last ten minutes Nick played three at the back but you could not fashion any real chances, with you pushing up you got hit on the break. Frankie made a great double saved, Saul cleared it off the line but in the end they bundled it in the net 2.5 FT

The first half rather not talk about , but second you gave everything we asked . Just one point remember to be goal side of the opposition when marking anywhere on the pitch. It blocks there runs, you can jostle them to knock the ball away and challenge to make them make mistakes.Well done to you all for second half !!!

MoTM: First mention goes to Theo who worked hard and created chances on the right hand side of midfield, He showed commitment and Passion. Theo this is what i want to see every week in training and Matchs ! Today’s MoTM goes to Louis, worked hard in midfield winning the ball and often giving the simple pass, also played at right back when asked and did a good job there. Overall Louis worked and drove the team forward in the second half. Well done Louis.

Training is at 6.30Pm on Tuesday