Stambridge v Corinthians
2(2) v 1(1)
Edgar, M
League
07.05.11
Today’s performance seemed to be a carbon copy of our recent cup final, the half time and full score the scorers’ and the goals all were similar. Even the nature of the game was exactly the same yet its in today personnel that I have so much praise and pride in. We missed so many from the team from the final, we played with a scratch 11 and people played through injury to show that this side we have has passion, quality and desire to push on through this league and make a serious challenge next year.
Over the next week I will try to sum up all the efforts we have all put in this year and look to name what I feel is the player of the year, goal of the year and what all you look to name the Players player of this year. I feel most of those contenders were on show this weekend, even without some big players in the team we matched Stambridge, took the game to them and generally outplayed an Olympian League team. You all should be buzzing, 2 ultimately scrappy goals are the difference over 90 minuets of play, Kempy’s shank leading to a close range, and defencive mix up including Matt for a looping header that made the back stick.
I think we all knew in the second half we need to put in a shift, we all did Andy was a key ingredient to the midfield battle, keeping the very dangerous Stubbs to around 5 touches. We had larger than life performances from Kempy and Sam on Fitchy and Charlie and Mike were the complete midfielders tackling, harrying, closing down and in Mike’s case scoring again.
If I have a moan and a real concern for all of you its about the ‘passion’ we showed today, we have all been around the block and in truth we all know how we want to play and how we can play when we get going. The negative in this side comes when you ‘fire questions’, lets be honest moan to each other rather than the one watching; the manager. I mentioned this week if you do this it makes directing you very hard, you just add another problem rather than solving one.
To progress and to challenge we need to mimic Stambridge’s communication, it was a harsh lesson for us. We were the team doing all the good things and then bitching…..to eventually lose. Stambridge on the other hand played hard talked football and encouraged to get yet another unlikely and undeserved win. This element to our game needs to be improved as all the teams above us do this better than us, pound for pound there’s no difference in ability or desire it’s just in the communication and the encouragement where we lack so much positivity.
Saying this I feel we could have won the game so easily, Kempy’s header Charlie’s scuffed shot, Ben’s audacious attempt to lob to name a few chances; one other sub we might have been able to push through Stambridge’s tired legs, we got let down in this department for the first time this year and badly at that. We wont point fingers as we know a few have flu etc but when I sum up at the end of the year I don’t think its going to be too hard to see who I want to stay and who might need to move on to pastures new.
Last game and we need the 2 points to hit our target, Rochford need them to win the league it’s a great game. Were away and I’m sure they will see it as in the bag. Remembering the first encounter I feel we gave them more than a game, with a qualified ref and the right attitude we could yet spoil someone’s party. The question is who wants it, who wants to go out winning……the answer should be all of us.
Name
Rating
Scored
Mom
Jon
8
No chance with either goal, plus a great save toward the end.
Ewan
8
2 games in a row you have frustrated a class winger, solid performance again.
Sam
8.5
Made centre back look easy created a great partnership with Kemp
Kemp
8.5
Captained with class, enthusiasm and control, great game
Matt
8
Great performance and finally I saw a crunching tackle, up and down like a yo-yo…
Charlie
9
Great game against experienced and classy opponents, outplayed them most of the game.
Mike
9
1
x
Yet another goal from the deep run, class finish. Never stopped running even with little support. Great performance
Andy
9
Battled for 90, on the hard surface, said you couldn’t play centre…..laughable made the man marking job look easy
Jack
7.5
Played through pain and I’m glad you did, turned in a big performance. Kept it simple and moving all the time
Lee B
8
Ran till all that was left was steam, harried and chased, few opportunities but team work was A 1.
Ben
7.
Best I’ve seen you play for years, stepped up to the plate and created merry hell till the second half when looked a little leggy
