Buoyant from their win over the heathcote engine looked to kick on in div three by beating Ettington FC who were one place ahead of them. A strong looking starting 11 took to the field on a bumpy and somewhat semi frozen pitch.
From the early ten mins Engine were playing some good football and looked balanced and competitive and from the sidelines everything looked ok and the manager was confident of getting something from the game today.
Unfortunately todays result will forever go down as a match of basic and costly errors. Poor backpassing, a complete lack of clearing the ball, giving it away and failing to tackle saw a somewhat bewildered engine go two nil down……
At this point engine still looked competitive and had made a couple of half chances through good delivery into the box from steve and yan, this endeavour resulted in Yan grabbing a goal back and the engine were back in contention and looking competitive.
Sickeningly, newbe Nathan then scored an own goal and a lofted cross then beat the keeper. Another kick in the balls for Engine FC. Half time 4-1.
Stuey (with his injury) was brought on to replace Nathan who was struggling to contain their left winger and adapt to the game after a long lay out and the second half kicked off. Even at this stage I felt their was something to be had from this game but further defensive frailty combined with the teams failure to hold onto the ball led to further pressure and before we knew it two more goals were finished well by their striker…..
New-be gaz has a solid game and picked up a consolation before Ettington rubbed salt into the wound from yet another loss of the ball in a key area resulted in a 7-1 loss……..
We had big problems this week, I know some players were out of position, its difficult after yesterday but we have to pick ourselves up and keep on improving. At times we looked good, I will be making some changes especially to strengthen the defence. We simply cant keep shipping that amount of goals, unfortunately we are also not taking our chances at the other end. It seems other teams get 5 chances and take 3, we are not doing this at the moment. It was also disappointing to see some in fighting this week which is without doubt a by product of frustration….I share in this as I really want us to do well
So as I do every week, what have we learnt
- Defence MUST push out, I know this is harder said than done but we need to improve this.
- Whilst its nice to keep the ball and this is how we should play, if the pitch is poor then clear your lines, even if no ones in the opposition corners clear the lines lads. . . . 4 goals came from cocking about yesterday.
- You will have seen my note about commitment and this certainly doesn’t apply to any of the lads who gave 110% Sunday, I cant fault the effort.
- Its important to follow the man and not the ball.
- Hollywood football is great when it works, but when it doesn’t work stop trying it. Pass and then move into space, simple.
- This week we actually looked good in the air and for the first time this season won more aireal ball than the opposition, steve, gaz and al doing the business here.
- I thought Al and Andy Cs workrate and determination stood out and they should be very proud of their contribution.
These are my honest thoughts, you all know yourselves that when your watching from the sidelines you spot these things… … …..
I will continue to look to strengthen where needed, we have another tough game at home next week against Bishops tatchbrook. We have played these guys before and outplayed them for at least an hr only to lose….. Lets pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and fight like fuck next week to bring home a victory !
Also, this Friday we are doing something we are much better at, getting drunk and making fools of ourselves ! 7 pm Engine !
PUE !
A still gutted Woy
