Sorroco FC 5 NVA 3
First league game of 2014 and a much awaited return to the newly laid 4g Capital City. NVA were looking to build on their recent run of good form against a young and skillful Sorroco team.
However, unable to adjust to the newly laid surface and up against a quick and energetic Sorroco side, we looked lost in the 3-5-2 system that has served us so well over the previous 6 weeks as we failed to close them down in midfield allowing them time and space to launch long balls into the gaps between our three centre backs.
It took us 15 minutes to work out what the problem was but by then we were 2-0 down!! However, once we did put pressure on them higher up the pitch we were able to restrict their supply and wrestled the game away from them. Our midfield slowly took control of the game and we started to dominate possession and threaten. Ravi pulled a scored a smart goal to reduce the deficit and then on the stroke of half time, a long kick from Dave C (and 'possibly' the faintest of flick ons from Dave A), Fofana found himself through on goal, rounded the keeper and cooly slotted home to bring us in at half time 2-2.
Second half we picked up where we left off forcing their keeper into some fine saves. However, a mistake in midifeld saw us give the ball away cheaply to their forward who waltzed through three challenges and poked the ball home to make it 3-2 to Sorroco.
Despie this disappointment, we kept plugging away and got a our reward on the hour mark after some great interplay between Shreyas and Jules saw Fofana convert from close range to mkae it 3-3.
We could sense victory as we continued to dominate and create chances. Only some fine saves and wayward finishing kept the scoreline at 3-3. However, with 7 minutes left on the clock, we gave the ball away cheaply from a free kick on the half way line. Sorroco broke quickly and at pace, their striker making it 4-3 from close range. Our heads went down but we still believed we could get get something from the game. We continued to poor forward but were unable to get the break in front of goal. To add salt to the wounds, a last minute lapse of concentration at the back allowed their striker to make it 5-3 at the final whistle.
Goal scorers - Ravi, Fofana x 2
Man of match - Shreyas....kept the team ticking with his constant running and distribution. Had a hand in two of the goals.....well played!!
Positives - pleased that we didn't let our heads drop and fought hard to get ourselves back into the game on three separate occasions. NVA of old would have collapsed at 2-0 down but good to see this team play with confidence and belief. We just need to weed out the silly mistakes and listen to team instructions as opposed to playing you own game.
Negatives - we need to get used to playing at Capital City (size of pitch and surface) asap.....players need to think about the system and listen to the instrutions at the start of the game. We need to focus on keeping possession and less on 'hollywood' style long balls. Also, our set pieces were poor.....too often we found ourselves in promising situation but failed to work the keeper or deliver a decent cross.
