This was the first game in the competitive CSFA football league for the boys today. This involves a number of cup games to see what league/level they will be entered into once the leagues are formulated. We were informed that the cup groups had a mixture of various levels of talented teams and looking at the results that have been entered onto the website we may come up against a number of difficult teams.
Ashfield Athletic an unknown team who have recently formed in the Glasgow league, so we had no idea of what to expect as soon as the referee blew his whistle.
The boys started really well and settled after the first touch of the ball and fairly matched their opponents in all areas of the pitch. Both teams having chances to go ahead, however they were unable to convert their through balls, both teams trying to work each other out. Our boys were also up against a very good passing and physical team, who didn’t give JBM a second on the ball, very good to watch a neutral. On the 11 minute, Ashfield broke into the box, and the ball spilled to Reece who was then pushed off the ball, only for the ball to touch his hand, then unbelievably the referee pointed to the spot. The boys looked deflated as they couldn’t believe that this decision had been given. Lee did his very best to save it but it is a very big goal for a small keeper to save it. Ashfield took the lead! Despite after a number complaints the referee as the penalty was a very harsh decision the game started with a centre kick to JBM. JBM had 3 chances on goal however they were unable to find the back of the net. The JBM boys then looked very unsettled and felt cheated, however like the boys were told some decisions will go against you so they just needed to pick their heads up and get back into the game. This wasn’t the case and Ashfield punished the boys by scoring 2 further goals.
HT 3-0
The boys were fuming coming into the break as the penalty decision was still playing on their minds. Never the less there was some positives to take out of the first half and just because this may have unbalanced the team as a whole we had to ensure we fought back in the second half.
The second half started the way the first half finished both teams cancelling each other out, some good football was being played. JBM continued to battle but their opposition had control of the game being ahead and ensuring that they won every 50/50 ball. They went onto score in the 40th, 50th 51st minutes and the boys looked well and truly beaten, until we broke through again and with some great play we were awarded a penalty for Jamie being brought down in the box. Jamie stepped up and scored his 1st goal in the cup campaign, well taken. After we scored we thought the boys would have some fight in their bellies, however with every decision going against us the boys got more and more frustrated and lost that game edge. 3 minutes from time Reece had a cracking pile driver from the edge of the box fly into the back of the net.
F-T 8-2
This wasn’t the best performance I have seen from the boys, but we were up against it, against a very good team. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, however all the coaches were a little disappointed with some of the individual performances as we know they can do better. We were second to the ball and gave too much respect to the opposition. The next 3 fixtures will be much the same, against opposition we have never played against, however we must be fully focused on our next game! We need to work hard in training and try and find our mojo! It will take time to settle into this new 11s game, especially now playing a total of 70 mins. We must get fitter and stronger if we want to succeed. The boys now know what we need to do to improve and we will be working extremely hard in training this week to get back on track.
