After a few days and nights of rain previous, it was looking like our friendly against Sinfin may have to be called off resulting in two weeks without games. Thankfully however after some "tooing and froing" between Brendan and their manager whilst we were all sleeping.... it was agreed we would go for it, the game was ON !
Now although Sinfin were a Division 4 opponent and I think it is fair to say, not the strongest of opponent traditionally, this team were turning a corner and in there first two games of the season have won them both scoring 13 and conceding only 3. There manager and players are now not surprisingly full of confidence. This is a tricky combination to overcome particularly playing away from home and it was therefore set to be, no easy task.
This point was proven in the first 10 when Sinfin broke through from what has to be said, some sloppy defending by midfielders and defenders alike to which they took full advantage and slotted the ball neatly past Josh making it 1-0 to the home team. Alarm bells started ringing from our team and after some "advise" from the sidelines (screaming and shouting !!), the boys would have to wake up and take this game more seriously, and that they did.....
The score was soon levelled up after an assist from Fin gave new boy Karsen the opportunity to get in on the action and he superbly positioned the ball into the corner to level the score at 1-1.
Another was soon to follow, again assisted by Fin but this time to Kian who not wanting to be upstaged by our new striker, made sure his name was entered into the books... 2-1 to Chellaston. Kian came to us not the most confident of players and it is great watching his confidence and ability grow week to week. With 7 goals in his last 4 games, he is also currently our top goal scorer. Great work Kian.
The game was now fully in our control and it was clear there would only be one winner. The next 2 goals came once again from Karsen with fine assists by Archie and Tom. Karsens constant running and chasing of the ball to the absolute end was a pleasure to watch and he is sure to be a great asset to an already extremely talented bunch of lads. Sinfins defenders were hating him, and we were loving it !!!
Next in line was Connor who although our highest goal scorer in the friendlies we had closed season, was struggling to find the same consistency and form at the start of this season. In view of this his frustration was beginning to show so after Brendan brought him off to give others a chance, I took this opportunity to put my arm around him, give his some words of wisdom similar to those Brian Clough may have given to some of the mighty reds over the years (lol.... you Derby lot will love that !!) and he was sure to not disappoint. An assist from Issac gave him the opportunity..... From 20 yards out, top of the net, Connor makes it 5-1. Great to see another striker on the score sheet.
But we weren't done there..... with all these goals going in theres no way Harry was going to sit quietly. Another assist from Fin making it his hatrick of the day led to another fine long range effort and into the back of the net it went. 6-1 it would end To Chellaston.
So goals from all our strikers and our attacking mid-fielder..... I love it when a plan comes together lol... !! Man of the match has to go to Karsen, first game for Chellaston and what an impact. I loved watching him play with a smile on his face continually and I'm sure this will continue throughout what Im sure will be very successful season for both him, and all of us.
So an a positive note, another well deserved win of the year notched up. We also scored 6 and it could so easily have been 12. A goal disallowed for being offside, we hit the bar, the post, had the ball cleared off the line on more than one occasion, all positives to take forward which is brilliant.
From a negative point of view, the overall performance still wasn't great. We've definite areas we CAN and WILL improve on.
Ball retention..... too many times we gave the ball away giving the opposition hope and allowing them to press.
We are still chasing the ball and not allowing the players that should be there, do their job. They're ALL talented, let them do their jobs whilst you do your own ! We must get this into them.
The width of the pitch is not being utilised enough. This overcrowding in the middle often results in panic and bad decisions being made resulting in giving the ball away and resulting in pressure being put back onto us.
This is mine and Brendans job to keep the instructions coming to the lads in a manner which they understand and can then act upon. Keep the lads coming to training and this will improve.
Next up its back to the business end of things, the league. This will be our first home game of the season against Belper who currently sit 2nd in the Division. Another I am confident we will succeed in so please as many to training (at Etwall) as possible this Friday and on Sunday, we fight again for hopefully our second win of the season.
