Hi Ladies / Gents
Please find below the match report for the 60s league game against Ashford at home on 26 Jan.
On the back of our victory last week, our 60s were hopeful of another victory. Unfortunately, we could not match the performance of the previous week and we were somewhat under par. Ashford arrived with only 6 fit players and we agreed that this would be a reduced 6 per side game.
We never really got settled into this revised formation and as a result we struggled throughout. Ashford were always the stronger side and they started on the front foot with us being pushed back. We managed to keep them at arms length and limited them to long range speculative shots that Jan was equal to. We just couldn't get out of our half.
Our movement was sluggish and we were very narrow which made it easy for Ashford to defend. They pressed high but there was space for us exploit if we could get the ball and have some concerted possession. We couldn't get out and a ball from Jan which should have been easy to collect and move on was left and intercepted by their striker who moved forward and sent a low hard shot passed Jan.
We did now start to get some offence going and Mike and Andy created room for shots from distance but we didn't really worry their keeper. Our movement improved slightly but we were still playing very narrow and didn't exploit the width of the pitch on offer. We did get a couple of free kicks close to their area but the touch back and shot was easily defended.
Ashford's second goal came just before half time. The ball was lost in the midfield and Ashford moved forward with a strong shot coming in from their right high into the net.
At half time we discussed our shortcomings and agreed we need to be wider and switch on for each other. We needed to focus on getting some decent possession and improve our passing and movement and gain some shape to our play.
Despite this, we came out performing very similar to the first half. Ashford were confident of being able to attack at will and were overheard to say that they should shoot whenever they had the chance. They continued to have joy down our flanks and were able to get in behind us. We were keeping them at range but they were keeping Jan very busy and he made several more excellent saves.
We did eventually get some shape but our possession was sporadic and limited in time as well as position on the pitch. We came close a couple of times but their keeper was content to see us shooting from distance or wide positions.
Eventually, the Ashford pressure paid off and a low hard shot went under Jan into the corner.
The game finished Canterbury 0 - 3 Ashford.
My thanks for the team that played who tried but had a bad day at the office.
My thanks to to Cedric who was an unused substitute.
My special thanks to the supporters who turned up in conditions that were ok at the start but with a forecast that was very accurate for the horrible weather that soon arrived.
The Player Of The Match was Jan Knott.
Paul
