Hampton Road F.C, v Athletico Excelsior
Excelsior had waited what seemed like an age to play this game with weeks of football called off due to the uncontrollable weather that has plagued winter fixtures. Three weeks had passed without a game and this one nearly didn't happen as the ref made his decision to play the game with consent of the two team managers just 20 minutes before kick off.
This match saw the return of former player Andy Willacy with his new team surely ready to get one over on his old comrades. With Excelsior all ready to ask him to do the warm up for them! Ready to go and in a jovial mood the Excelsior boys seemed to just want to win this one and get out of the below freezing temperatures,
First Half
Excelsior look the more dominant side from the off and for the first fifteen minutes of the game absolutely take control. Football and movement is to a good level dispite the semi-frozen pitch and the bobbles that saw every players first touch leaving a lot to be desired.
The first time the ball was in the back of the net was called offside after Lonsdales delightful chip left the Hampton keeper stranded. This was the best period of the game for Athletico and had that initial goal stood may have given a completely different outlook on a very indifferent game for the Excelsior players.
Hampton Road suddenly started to take care with their movement and slowed down the game with accurate, controlled and simple play. They created two or three chances and though nothing came of it started to leave Excelsiors defence looking confused and slightly lacking match fitness. Ben Davies was outstanding in the first half but even he and the whole defence made mistakes and misjudged bounces in the difficult conditions.
GOAL!!!! Hampton
The first goal came after Hampton had started to look like a more daunting prospect than first expected. It was a team goal built from the back forcing a corner. The ball looped but was cleared only to come straight back in and after various little pinballs found the Hampton midfielder who dispatched calmly past stand in goalkeeper Ricky to the dismay of Excelsior.
The game continued with fresh impetus from the referee to watch dangerous tackles as Banny and Carey looked to have been fueled by conceeding. Carey catching the eye of the ref with a few hard challenges and Banny being guilty of a couple of horrendous tackles but the spark was lit and Banny became unmanageable for the next ten minutes with every Hampton player giving him space in case he may have fancied a bit of breakfast and decided to eat one of them. Carey found space on a few occasions and yet failed to play a killer pass or any pass conditions hindering not only his vision but the teams as trying to find a pass when checking if the ball is actually at your feet is a harder skill than some realise. The whole team was suffering and as the players headed for half time they would have known the performance needed to be improved on with Hampton looking the more organised but Excelsior looking the most likely to score. The outstanding player of the half was Carl at right back. He was up and down the pitch, tackling and making good decisions with distribution as well as a few important interceptions, the strongest link in a weak chain.
Second half
Excelsior try to capitalise on a lacklustre first twenty minutes from Hampton with periods of good play. They are attempting to get their passing game back on the go which was sadly missing in the first half. A few brilliant links up from Parker, Lonsdale and Baird saw space being created in the last third. Although not being able to take advantage as two more Excelsior goals are ruled out for offside.
Will is trying to find his team mates more and more but the difficulty is not in his ability but of the play occuring around him. The midfield is too stagnant and close together causing side to side possessional play to be extraordinarily difficult and with two big strikers up front Banny is having to drop deeper and deeper to get into the game, leaving Wrighty a lone figure up front unable to truly affect the game in any positive way.
Sub: J Davies on for S. Lonsdale
Excelsior seem brighter but the same mistakes are still happening and the structure of the team starts to fold. Passes are not being seen or to a certain extent given. The amount of times throughout the game that the ball has not been released is a travisty of epic proportions. Joe McMillan on the right wing has seen more of the ball than any other player on the pitch yet despite the fact of his link up play and work rate being excellent his lack of willingness to put the ball into the box was frustrating and for the whole team not to play the simple ball when it is all we work on in training is demoralising. The team attack as a unit but do not defend as one and Hampton are roaming free on the counter sometimes 5 against 3 in the attackers favour. This leading to further punishment.
GOAL! Hampton
After errors everywhere on the pitch including Hamptons players a goal was coming. It was for Hampton to stretch their lead to two and make it an uphill task for Excelsior to turn the game around. It came from a loose pass on the edge of the area that Hampton sent to the halfway line and countered with speed. Four Hampton players against two defenders and the dye was already cast, A well taken finish but without any real challenge to worry about. No fault can be with the Excelsior keeper Ricky who despite being told he was in goal in the changing rooms had a good game and was solid throughout the match.
Subs: D Worrall for W Moreau
D Clayson for S Bannister
For a couple of minutes after these substitutions Excelsior took the game to Hampton as Darren added extra to the midfield just playing the simple pass and Damo attempting to link the play. But it was to no avail.
The rest of the game became an exercise in humility as despite Excelsior having the much better players both in ability and technique, the game was lost for the simple fact that Hampton Road were the better TEAM. No Hampton Road player stands out in recollection they were simply a unit. The defensive line was well organised and when defending had 9 players behind the ball, only to attack with 5 going forward. Each player knowing their role and what was expected of them.
Final Score
Hampton Road F.C. 2 - 0 Athletico Excelsior
Athletico have had a string of good results but we can't expect to win every game because of it. We are still a work in progress and that progression was halted today with players simply in it for themselves and some just believing that the starting 11 is set in stone. This is Sunday League and you always get this kind of arrogance in Sunday League. But why can't we be different. Too much bitching, sniping and blame went on this Sunday. You did this!, why didn't you do that?, what was that? The players who come out with all that are just as much to blame for the negative results of the team as anyone else. Just remember if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Can we please take this as a lesson learnt. If we don't play for one another the game is that much harder. Look for your teammate, he is on the pitch right next to you! Or if he's not he should be! UTAE!
