After last weeks draw it was so important that we got off to a better start against a team we expect to be challenging for the title come the end of the season.
There were a few changes made, some enforced some tactical. Adam Scott Rose came into the side for his debut joining Laurie Cunningham in central midfield. This move actually achieved what the management thought it would. It was identified last week that the team was too open with us trying to get as many of our offensive minded players in the team. Adam positioned himself in front of the defence and, after a shaky start, grew into the game and helped to effectively snuff out a lot of Sporting’s attacks whilst allowing us to keep the ball with his simple strategy of passing the ball to another Clarendon player.
The game was initially to and fro with both teams looking to get the ball down and play. In that period the insurance policy of having two holding midfielders paid dividends as the defence was relatively untroubled apart from a header from a corner and a one on one which James Gray (Jimbo) was more than up to. It has to be remembered that our back four were missing two of the mainstays from last season in Craig and Daily. However, they can no longer consider themselves as automatic choices as Ashley showed his versatility by moving from left back to right back without any drop in performance and Luke putting in a MOM performance at left back.
In the opening period we also had chances to score but we didn’t take them, that was until the 18th minute when after a smartly taken corner between Jason and Pablo the latter did what he does best but, in my opinion, not often enough. He beat his man and whipped in the sort of cross that attackers like and defenders hate. His pacey cross was met at the far post by player/manager Roger Moore who headed into the net. This gave us a lead that we never looked like relinquishing.
As the half progressed we began to dominate possession and territory and continued to frustrate the Sporting Strikers although we had to wait until 42nd minute to double our lead. A neat passing movement saw us shift the ball from the back through midfield and onto Pablo who dispatched the ball with ruthless efficiency. Even though the keeper should have saved the shot it was no more than we deserved at half time.
The half-time chat was very disappointing because instead of dealing with what we needed to do tactically we were reprimanded over our behaviour. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for us to respect the officials no matter how good or poor we believe they are. I know how frustrating this can be because we all see the same things they seem to miss but at the end of the day we can receive bookings, sending-offs and fines on their say so!!! We need to fix up our attitude. Remember what we said “The only way we lose is if we lose our discipline”
The second-half was one-way traffic. We were the only team who looked like scoring so I guess I’m a little disappointed that we only score one!! A delightful piece of skill from Jason released Pablo who lobbed the advancing keeper – game over.
If I had one criticism, apart from our lack of discipline, then it is the same as last week - our poor finishing. This is not a dig at the forwards more a wish that they should hit the target more often. Too often we are wasteful or simply not ruthless enough in front of goal. For the amount of possession and chances created we just don’t score as many goals as we should.
The squad is shaping up nicely and the competition for every place in the match-day squad is about to be turned up a few notches in the coming weeks as regulars from last season begin to become available for selection. However, unlike last season, they won’t just walk straight back into the team because standards have risen – there are going to be some disappointed players who won’t even make the squad let alone the team!!!!
MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT TRAINING
MAKE SURE YOU ARE UP TO DATE WITH YOUR PAYMENTS
MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON TIME
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD DISCIPLINE
MAKE SURE YOU PERFORM
Author Selvin Gayle
