Today was all about the one thing we needed to learn after last weeks defeat, the team tracking back when the ball is with the opposition. Such was the perfection of the passing this afternoon, there was no panic on that score, as the boys today were excellent for each other.
Only Lol missing today, so a squad of 10 fully fit, raring to go.
Right from the first second Betley made their intentions known, a ball out to Bryan and a shot well saved, by the Ruskin keeper who must of ended up their man of the match. Max put in two good crosses and we were having plenty of pressure, Ben played to Arron, to Max, who shot wide. Mark to Bryan, shot well saved. Alex was strong on the odd occassion Ruskin could get the ball and never missed his tackle. Bryan then had another cracking shot saved, Ben went wide from the resulting corner. Arron then passed to Max, to Bryan, another corner! Then Bryan to Ben, just wide. But at the end of the first period, Mark had to be sharp as Ruskin had a little foray into our box with both Mark and Alex doing very well before Kai had to get involved, in fact Kai was having a very good day! not too much to do.However, dispite all the prsssure, no goals, as we ended the first period level.
2nd Period, and three changes, Ben Hin came on the right for Bryan, Sam replaced Max up front and Matthew swapped on for Arron.
Immediately Ben fed Sam whose shot was well saved, we carried on our good passing from the first period and maintained all the pressure. Sam returned the passing compliment to Ben who forced a corner, surely all this possession should lead to a goal?
In the 17th minute the hard work was rewarded, Mark to Ben Hin, Ben Hin to Matthew, who passed square to Ben who hit a hard shot into the net, 1 - 0 Tigers. Ruskin responded but Alex and Mark again were class and there was to be no way through for our opponents. Sam played in Matthew whose shot was saved, but a minute later, Matthew passed to Sam, who unselfishly set Max up, who had replaced the hard working Ben, to shoot in a great team goal, 2 - 0 Betley!
Third period, and Bryan went for a lie down in goal! Ben Hin dropped to last man, Ben in front of him and Arron swapped with Mark. Arron was quickly up the pitch with a great shot well saved, Max, also had a good turn and shot saved.
In the 30th minute, Sam had another shot saved, but in the resulting melee the ball got deflected to max on the line, who tapped in, 3 - 0 Tigers! Max then passed to Arron, just wide, and again. Max shot over, Matthew hit the post, Max had a shot saved, Bryan fell asleep! such was the passing strength of our boys! Ben Hin followed Alex's footsteps and did a great job as mr versatile, blocking any forward move by Ruskin. There were to be no more goals as we comfortably ran out 3 - 0 winners.
I am fed up now of typing the word 'pass' but that is all we did today and it was a joy to watch the whole team support each other and play so well, so a perfect 10 to everyone, and may this long continue into next week!
Well done everyone, and well done the supporters who deserved to see how good their players really are.
Thank you, Lyndon
