Unfortunately we were let down by Craig, Matt and Rob before the match and so only had 10 men. Luckily they were gracious enough to lend us Mike
who was more than happy to go in goal. and Ste who started at centre half and played well for us until half time.
Danny also brought his mate cy.
We started ok, knoocking the ball up front and Barry chasing. However we tried to force the issue always looking fro the 4o yard pass to Barry or Don rather than just keeping possession for a few passes and trying to work our way up as a unit. The consequence; the ball came straight back at us many times.
In the middle we were getting overrun a little as they seemed to always have a spare man. Both Danny and I were probably not tracking the players and getting tight enough and they were able to play through the middle of us. There were very few headers to win however as the ball went way over us.
George had a great game at left back, dealing with their winger well and making some good passes. Javan also did well at right back though sometimes got caught.
Bjorn made some great runs and probing passes which gave us some goal scoring opportunities, and Dale on the right was equally able at getting forward and getting behind them.
Barry worked his socks off running after every ball, getting back and reagining possession and although he should have scored 3 goals, he was in the right place at the right time and also got 2 assists. Therefore he is my MOM, although there were a few contenders, Dale, Don, Bjorn, George and Danny all having great games.
Barry found himself down the right handside chasing a ball right to the touchline, he pulled back passed low across the area, Don dummied and turned beating two men, and with his left scuffed a shot which somehow squirmed under the keeper! 1-0.
Barry found himself with a 1 on 1 opportunity twice but couldn't convert.
Another well worked passing move found 4/5 of us on the edge of teh area, a bit of a scramble and Don dribbled through 2 men into the area, and slotted the ball passed the keeper. 2-0.
half time.
second half I wanted us to calm down and keep possession and pass the ball around. We tried, but a bit panicky.
Midfield then seemed to be unable to defend and get back behind the ball, allowing them lots of time and space on the ball in midfield to run at us.
They had several shots that were saved by Mike or cleared of the line by me (twice) and hit the post and cross bar.
when we were on the ball going forward we were dangerous, Bjorn Danny Ryan doing well at getting forward into space and counter attacking. However wehen we lost possession no one was as eager to get back behind the ball. There were several half chances we had, I had a long curling shot trying to lob the keeper but he caught it easily, also a snap half volley that only half troubled the keeper.
My legs were gone by 75 minutes form all the running,
They kept running at us, Dale, Javan and cy were under alot of pressure but dealt with it well. we just needed to link up passes and keep the ball to aleviate the pressure.
I think some of us need to study premiership games and look at how where players stand, how many touches of the ball they have and how far they pass it on average.
88th minute, free kick, rolled to me, I rolled it to Barry he deadened it for Danny, he ran on and shot from 25 yards and it fired inside the right post. great goal.
3-0.
good result before the season starts
good job
