Our last games of 2015 were well turned out and all on time....
Instructions given to the players were a repeat on what has been building in training for example:
1. James to find an exit when being confronted by an opponent
2. Lewey to get his head up early in the move before running with the ball
3. Tommy to not let the ball roll across his body every time but get a touch on it
4. Jake to release the ball quickly and short rather than long kicks
5. Henry and Ben had the same instruction that they need to get up and support the attack but get back and defend the goal (midfield role)
These were largely stuck to and it was apparent from the session on Monday where a restriction was put on Lewey to not venture forward (get him to look early) really paid off as he was going past the first man and often finding Tommy up top or Ben and Henry (after they made good runs) in the middle of the pitch.
This was important as we played 6 a side on a pitch that was full width. Therefore, running with the ball the whole length of the pitch is not an option.
Ben put in a big shift of work covering nearly every blade of artificial grass but just needs to be a bit more composed on the ball. Henry was making some tackles but needed to put the effort in to get back quickly.
Jake made some good decisions to come and close the striker down and clear the lines with good distribution (try and keep it in play if we can). James was pushed back into defence (get him on the ball earlier in the move) and he continued to shine. His communication to Lewey was great. Lewey got on the ball in every move and was not put off by getting clattered every time, usually unfairly. He, and all of the players, showed great character today as the opposition were touch and a bit niggly but we matched them for strength and showed them our skills. We were unlucky not to be level at 2-2 at half time.
Tommy made sure he held up the ball and drafted others into play. It was a complete performance as a team. Hard work, strength and big smiles throughout the game.
Lewey received the ball quickly from Jake and shifted his body weight to feint past their oncoming winger. He carried the ball WITH HEAD UP and picked Tommy out with a cracking pass and he controlled the ball and banged it in over the top of the keeper.
We continued to create chances and Lewey was an outlet for us on every attack but fully supported by Ben, Henry and James when working the ball up the field. Well done lads, shame we didn't get what we deserved from the game.
Second game was a different story. Henry looked a little jaded after lots of hard work and this is where a sub could have come in handy. Ben continued to work hard and set us up with some good throw ins. Lewey continued to strike clean free kicks and James was dribbling past 1, 2 and 3 players that was great. Jake was important in the game and once again, our goal that ended up being scored by James started by Jake passing the ball to Lewey, to Ben, to Lewey to James and some individual brilliance got us in front.
Unfortunately, we couldn't hold on to the lead but the result for me is always secondary, the performance and improvement of players is the most important and I see that has happened since the start of this season.
2-1 defeat and 1-1 draw, at the start of the season could have been a lot worse.
Well done all
