From PEM:
Hi Guys,
We got 11 players our yesterday to make the trek up to Pensby and to play Barnestoneworth. They were a decent team last year and have had a very good start this year (3rd in Division). We got there in good time – well most of us! (no names as to who was late).
Summary of the game as follows:-
·We lost 9-3
·We started too slowly
·We made far too many defensive errors – not get rid of the ball quickly enough (Me included)
·Much of this was down to their pressing is us – they were quick and agile
·At half time the game was lost – They were a much improved team with some very good players (One used to plat for St Mirren). They had a No 10 who was one of the best Vets players I have ever seen (MoM)
·Mike I then took him out ;-)
·We decided to make a fist of it and guess what - scored three goals! Junior, Eales and Richard – all very encouraging
·Junior was MoM again, Rich ran his heart out (again) Ealsey had a good game as well – lots of spirit – love it.
·Most of us went back to their club after and had chip butties with them– our spirit is alive and kicking, no doubt about that
There is a bigger point to be made here though. Our Division is actually quite diverse – if you look at the difference between top and bottom it is very big. Have a look at the picture below. This is partly due to the consolidation of divisions for this season – 4 to 3. The good news for us is that we have played 5 teams in the top six but only one of the teams in the bottom six which is our competition is real terms. The other good news is that our next three games are with teams in the bottom six – team more of our calibre – Bexton, Chelford and Burtonwood. They have each only won one game (like us) or none.
So for me, our season will be defined by how many points we take over these next three games. If we do well we stay up and move on - if not we are in a relegation scrap. Our next game is against Bexton, at home on the 15th and from where we are now, this is a BIG ‘6 pointer’ so get it in the diary
Conclusion:-
1.We need to play better – particularly in defence and for the first 15 mins of all games
2.Our season could start getting a lot better very quickly if we want it enough
See the 11+ of us for the Xmas do on Saturday ;-)
