Managers Notes:
Great performance from everyone today. After seeing that this team had beaten Faversham Town FC 7-2 who sit in Division 2 I knew we would be in for a tough game. However everyone put in a great shift today and with better finishing we could maybe have had more goals.
Finley Cowell had a fantastic game, scoring 2 and setting 1 up so easily could have been man of the match. I gave man of the match to Galin today, I asked him to play out of position 1st half, then to man mark the number 14 who was Faversham's greatest threat, he did this magnificently which limited Faversham to almost zero chances.
Well played all. Thanks to Alex Steine for the below match report.
After the disbandment of Tankerton and all results against them wiped, we began this match with one point from one game. Faversham were likely to be the benchmark we would measure ourselves by. They finished a place above us in third place last season with honours shared, this was a game to win. It was a warm sunny day, with a hard pitch-our players were going to test it's resilience, with resilience of their own. The ref, remembered from last term's match, was a relatively discreet, but confident 'homer' and decisions for Faversham outweighed those against. Galin pushed a pass early on for Mateusz, after a good interception by Del, which was comfortably saved, but we had laid down an intent. We were the side asking the questions and in the eighth minute Callum's free kick just cleared the bar. A couple of moments later Mateusz just clipped a shot wide, then Callum again fired from distance which the keeper held to his body. The tackling from the home side became a little more robust without being checked by the official, however the Vikings continued to play their football. This has become a very pleasing evolution from this side. Keep calm, don't get involved, answer them with football. It's the best ethos for a footballing side. In the fourteenth minute we broke through. Charlie Steine began the move, coming inside from the right he carried the ball in trademark style before slipping the ball to Del. He controlled and passed rapidly to Fin who skilfully put the ball past their keeper. A well worked goal. We continued with our passing and running game and occasionally we pinged in a shot or cross. Meanwhile our defence was equal to most that our opponents could offer. We were set up with a back three of Michael, Thomas Skinner and Marcus. Galin was the shield dropping into the space behind on occasions. Del, Galin's central defensive partner generally took up a position slightly to Galin's left and often ten yards in front of him, with Callum ball-winning from a more advanced position, and Sam the front part of that diamond. Our midfield was strong and tight. Behind the defence Lewis played such an intelligent game. Coming for loose balls, calling confidently, and generally bossing the entire area. It's from such a platform confidence spreads throughout the team.
In the thirty fourth minute another wonderful combination saw Del give a cushioned pass to Charlie Steine, who quickly released a delicate pass to Callum for a long range shot that just flew wide of the mark. Our boys were being bullied with little protection. Michael was held off, almost manhandled to the ground but there was no whistle. Charlie Steine, who had already accidentally had a ball in the face, received another accidental but full bloodied clearance in his face again. A few moments after Sam was given rough passage when chasing down the ball. Charlie Steine then took a real tumble at speed-this foul was penalised-and managed a bounce and backward roll, earning him 9.9s from the judges for artistic merit. Ironically, but not for the first time a long ball undid us. From the goal kick the ball was helped on, a bounce, and a free running forward planted the ball beyond Lewis. It was 1-1, and all that hard work had gone begging. There was an incident worthy of mention, if only for it's scarcity. Charlie Steine came in from the right and from the edge of the box hammered a shot goal bound. The keeper was rooted to the middle of his goal as the ball crashed against his left hand post, bounced down behind him on the line, hit the other post and finished up in the grateful arms of the keeper as he turned to watch the ball's journey. As half time approached a poor refereeing decision determined a back pass to Lewis-it never was! The resultant free kick inside the area had 'goal' written all over it, especially with a twelfth man deciding things. After much toing and froing the wall retreated to the goal line. With instructions from David to 'chase down' the kick and the defence did just that. The order to retake the kick brought mumblings of derision from the touchline, but it was retaken and charged down once more, with Lewis streaking forward to claim the ball in the air. He released a wonderful pass to Finley who set off at speed. He in turn jinked into the box in a majestic style-he is clearly a fan of 'Strictly', and slammed the ball past the windmilling arms of their keeper. Karma? It seemed it to the Vikings. Immediately after the restart half time was signalled. So we led 1-2.
For twenty minutes of the second half we maintained a similar resolve to the first half. There were incidents though. Whilst not quite heavy handed the tactics of the opposition was to clearly 'take no prisoners'. Joey was pulled off the ball and stood perplexed at no whistle for the foul. Sam was being buffeted constantly-it comes with the territory for the target man striker, but you should be able to expect some protection from the officials, and a general air of desperation seemed evident in some of our opponents play. Tight and determined midfield, with Galin a great example to those around him in having a very good game, and strong no nonsense defending-none read the game better than Thomas Skinner, why he reads a game better than he reads a book, but in defence I am assured he has nearly finished the one he has been colouring-a classy confidence inspiring display by our keeper Lewis, fast attacking play from both flanks, with a solitary but mobile striker Mateusz, keeping their defence deep. It was at this point that the game was won. A well built attack found Finley able to slip Mateusz in on goal for the 'killer' third-a delightfully worked goal. The fresher legs of Joey were an important aspect of the second period. His propensity to chase and harry defenders forces opponents to release the ball earlier than is often comfortable for them. It can force errors and break up the shape of their movement. This can affect their strategy and game plan, but all were doing their part in this. Sam had come off injured due to an unpunished kick. Charlie Steine was dropped into defence for the final fifteen minutes and we were virtually watertight then allowing more forward freedom to both Marcus and Michael, in fact we were the more likely to score next if anyone, why even Marcus came forward to earn himself a header in their box, and it's worthy of mention that their keeper made some top class saves to keep the score respectable.
We sit second in the table behind Chartham-the only one hundred per cent side in the division by virtue of two victories. Our results against them last season was 1-1, and 2-2, yet we were the better side in both matches. This new look Vikings might have won both those matches, so that is our aim. Once more I will reiterate, you really are as good as I keep saying. The mood at training has improved with the occasional outbreak of silliness a thing of the past. It is fine to joke and laugh together but the serious side needs to be attended to. Players are beginning to recognise that David's techniques have been right all along. Keep it up gentlemen; thank you for a sterling performance and an enjoyable game, well done Vikings!
