Playing a straight forward 4 4 2 formation engine started brightly and seemed well up for the challenge against local rivals Keni town. Within ten mins we were one nil up after town failed to clear the ball following some good work from yan and Idi leading to Andy c tucking the ball away neatly. Their right winger was causing problems as he did in the cup defeat and the gay spaniard was also seeing some ball, ten mins further in it was one all following some good footy from town and a neat finish which left nick helpless. Engine rallied from the off and were passing the ball around nicely with ash delivering some quality balls into their box and al and stu doing a good job at cutting out the towns final ball. Somewhat against the run of play we went two one down due in part to some poor passing which gifted their number nine another chance. Another defensive mix up saw town go three one up when the ball wasn't cleared and Als effort at clearing the ball didnt quite do the trick.
Towns pace was the main threat and ginger Dave was certainly having a busy morning dealing with their tricky winger, some careless passing especially after what we've discussed before the game gave the ball away and the engine were four one down as the ball drifted over the defence and straight in..... From four one down we were still well in the game and pushed hard for a second goal before half time but it wouldn't come. Burbs was replaced through being knackered for Kyle and engine began the fight back.
As is often the case our determination and fighting spirit was in abundance, we were all over them from the start of the second half with the midfield getting to grips and flying in on the tackle. Idi and Yan ran their socks off, its difficult in centre mid but these two lads chased everything and thats to be respected. Gaffer changed the formation to try and push on and find a goal so Andy c came off for Ren to bolster up the midfield and jimmy was pushed up front to join Steve. This formation change had a massive impact, we were now looking very dangerous when on the front foot, stus ankle gave up and Ross was brought on to partner al at the back. It must be said that Andys workrate up front was yet again first class and the substitution purely tactical.
Rens impact was immediate and a somewhat dubious penalty was awarded which Ren dispatched with ease sending the keeper the wrong way. Engine now back in it.
Ash then decided to show his Cov lad spirit by headbutting the giant left back and a melee ensued which saw ash "tapping out" and carded. This galvanised the engine spirit even further and we were now passing the ball around them at ease, ten mins later and some good inter passing between jimmy and Ren saw Ren deliver a quality screamer into the net to the jubilation of the supporters !!! !!!! !!!!!
Nick made a great save to keep us in the game and at four three down we were now running through them and looking for the equaliser , a foul on the left hand side offered the engine a chance and with a delay floated cross Steve the birthday boy rose to nod us level ! PUE !!!! If we,d of had another ten mins we'd have won but a draw was the final result!
So what have we learned.....
- ALL throw ins must go down the line, not across the pitch. It's to friggin muddy and bobbly to do that lads.
- Ross can play at the back even though he doesnt like it ;-)
- we looked better today at holding our shape but I still want the defence to focus on keeping that straight line and moving as a unit. If the defnece push out this forces the midfield to move and close the gaps that we suffer with, this will come in time.
- we were better in the air today but must keep working on it as town won far to many of nicks kicks.
- We look at our best when we are moving the ball around at pace, this doesnt mean get it and look for the wonder ball straight away but it does mean get it, look up pass and move. simple
- we all need to be more composed on the ball, three of the goals were gifted to them today by us initially giving the ball away for no reason at all.
- during the ten mins when they went three one up we for some reason started trying to play Hollywood football, we don't need to do this. Simple pass and move guys !!! We also gave them to much space and time on the ball, we need to get tighter at times.
- we defended and attacked set pieces much better today.
- Special mention to Ren today who definatley changed the game, great tackles and use of the ball, not to mention the goal. This is an example of how you guarentee a starting position the following week.......
So all in all a great result today, there's no reason we shouldn't be looking to turn over these teams in the future ! Thanks to the whole squad today especially the subs who looked excellent when introduced . Well done lads. Remember how we operate things, everyone will get a fair chance and the team is always picked on previous performances.....there are no favourites, no ones guarenteed a starting place. if you play well and fight like f*ck you stay in the team , simple as that.
I don't need to stress the importance of next week do I...........we will be playing our strongest team as we see it on the day, be prepared to do a job where needed, we need everyone's support to pull next week off. Im in friggin scotland next week with work so Al and Nick will be in charge !
PUE !!!!!
