Have you ever had one of those frustrating days when you know you've done ok, but nothing goes right? or you know you've put enough effort in but with little reward? well, this was one today. Tigers were well up for this game, the weather had warmed to a 'tropical' 3 degrees! we had a good mix of the squad there today, only Ben and Sam missing. But for all the endevour, i think we actually missed the fact that we had not trained together for a couple of weeks, as stamina (which to be fair, a few of the players had colds) and positional sense , let us down.
We had played LLD earlier in the season and again, we had faced a fast moving, quicker team that beat us 5 - 0 in another game that a five nil scoreline did not reflect the result. So today, turned out to be a case of de ja vou!
We started with Kai in goal, Lol, Mark, in the middle was Arron, Matt on the left, Bryan on the right and Max up front. The first period was entertaining and plenty of hard work, Arron had a great run, putting Matt in who just shot wide, Max was being clever with his passing from the half way line, Mark and Lol were solid and Mark was bringing the ball out well and hard. Bryan had a good solo run which finished by hitting the post. Kai had to make a couple of smart low saves and was very assured again following his great game last week.
The period ended 0 - 0, with no one knowing what was about to hit us!
Changes to allow others to get on and rest those with colds were made for the second period, Alex came on for Lol, Ben H for Matt, nothing drastic but we got caught cold big time!
After Max had had a super shot saved, LLD went up the pitch and went, bang! Alex and Lol were turned cleverly and a low shot beat Kai, 0 - 1. One nil quickly became 2 - 0 when a cross found LLD totally un marked and a simple tap in. Worse followed when a speculative shot hit our post and LLD first to the ball for another tap in with Tigers stood still.
Still, heads were still up, there was no arguing or blame apportion, and we went up the other end and forced 4 corners in succession, but no end product. After the fourth corner was cleared, a break up to our goal saw another LLD quick pass and move and it was 4 - 0.! Unjust, but goes to show the need to track back and not dive in.
Third period and Bryan went in goal for Kai, Matt in the middle, Arron back on the right, Mark for Lol.
Again, we started bright, plenty of pressure resulting in 2 good corners from Max which LLD defended desperately, and we were unlucky in the scrambles that followed, this was definately not a one sided game as the score suggested.
Mark had a long shot, just over, followed by Matthew and Arron, but no goal coming, again we were caught in the break and it was 5 - 0 following another defensive error, Bryan made 2 great saves as the teams were tiring, and in the last minute, we stood still and allowed space for a LLd low shot to creep into the corner. 0 - 6, game over!
A sad way to end the winter break, but it is frustrating to know we just need that little bit more concentration and time on the ball to avoid days like this, as the work that was put in by the boys was faultless. Max gets MOM today for his unselfish passing and awareness, and on another day, he could of had himself a couple of goals.
But, lets remove this one from the memory bank, come back on January 9th raring to go, and fully fit!
thanks so much for your great support on the sidelines, i know sometimes its frustrating, but without you, the boys would not do as half as much, so i wish you, and our team a very happy christmas break, and heres hoping Santa brings us a complete set of Lungs and some magical scoring boots!
p.s. e mail will be sent out Monday as regards Tuesday training, dependant on weather
regards, Lyndon
