Again a lovely Sunday morning for a game of football. We were away at Pinfold Puma's; another new team for us.
Our first half display mirrored our approach in the warm up - we weren't concentrating, we weren't alert and we weren't switched on. Maybe it was our opponents but our standard is better.
We have a settled side and started with Matthew in nets, Adam, Tom and Sam in defence, Jack Whitaker, Oliver and Toby in midfield with Andrew and Nathan starting up front. Jack Hewitt, Lewis and Harry were our subs.
In fact we started very brightly, pressing and looking to get the ball wide. One of our first attacks led to a cross from Jack Whitaker, a pass from Andrew to Oliver who advanced and shot low and into the net; 1-0 after a minute.
The rest of the first half was very poor (that's politely putting it). We switched off, forgot how to control the ball, pass the ball and gave up possession far too easily. We decided not to chase good causes and seemed uninterested. The home side battled very well, fought for every ball and tried to catch us on the break.
Half time couldn't come quickly enough. Our positives - we were winning 1-0, Adam was excellent and Tom was solid alongside him.
To be fair to the boys they listened to what we had to say at half time - they probably knew we were right. For the next 30 minutes we controlled the game, had 90% + possession and the vast majority of territory. Jack Whitaker as ever was lively on the right and caused the home defence problems. A great cross on 31 minutes led to a "bullet" of a header from Jack "Sherman" Hewitt and we were 2 up; great response lads.
We kept pushing - Nathan, Jack Hewitt, Oliver, Andrew, Toby and Jack Whitaker all had decent efforts and forced numerous corners. We were in control but failing to put the ball into the back of the net. Our third came on 39 minutes when Andrew won the ball in defence, drove forward and let fly from just outside the penalty box; a fine low shot that beat the home goalkeeper for pace; 3-0 up.
Oliver and Andrew combined well on the left, Harry had a run out in central midfield when replacing Toby and Nathan, Lewis and Jack Hewitt continued to put the home defence under pressure. In the second half our passing was better, our forwards decided to interchange and we kept control of the ball a little better. Sam, Adam and Tom were solid at the back in the second half; Tom coming forward more and having a couple of decent efforts with longer range shots.
We scored our fourth on 41 minutes when a "Tom Cleverly" like cross from Toby was powered home by a superb Jack Hewitt header. If his first was good this was even better. Two excellent headers Jack, well taken goals.
We pushed on and tried to increase our lead but the final ball, or slightly weak shot or lack of control let us down. Poor defending when we got caught on the break led to Pinfold Puma's consolation goal on 52 minutes. We need to be alert and defend better.
From our 2nd half display we deserved the win. We can play better, we have played much better this year. Man of the Match was Adam. Excellent in defence, controls the ball well, strong in the tackle and 99% of the time his pass to a midfield team mate finds its man. Well played Adam - keep up the good work. Tom had a solid game and Oliver & Andrew could combine to make a very useful left hand side combination.
Keep up the good work lads. Training on Wednesday; much to work on. BUT......3 points and 2nd half, well played.
