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Old Meadonian IV’s Vs Fitzewilliam Old Boys: L 2-1 C Sichel (pen)
Another disappointing end to 90 minutes as the 4s were beaten by a distinctly average Fitzwilliam team. Although maybe not deserving of defeat the 4s couldn’t hold on to a 1-0 advantage and that will rankle with the players as another lead slips by. There is an alarming stat that may shed some light on the problems the 4s face at the moment; Goals conceded in 1st half- 3, Goals conceded in 2nd half- 13. There is no doubt we seem to stop playing in the 2nd half and that allows the opposition to take control of the game. There could many reasons for this but I don’t need to go through them as I would be here all day.
To the game. After turning up half an hour late for KO the referee then made it clear he was going to wreck the match with his pre match talk, and he duly obliged to the pre match predictions. Both teams were awarded very soft penalties in the 2nd half, which were both put away nicely, and then with 15 minutes to go Eric was running back towards his goal to clear the ball when the striker tried to swap shirts prematurely. However, the referee was in accommodating spirit and allowed the striker to continue in his endeavours, this allowed him to get past the now stationary Eric and lob the ball over the bewildered Jake. 2-1 down with 15 minutes to go and to be honest we never looked like getting the equaliser.
The game as a whole started brightly and we were in a pretty comfortable position throughout the 1st half without ever really troubling their keeper. A long ball into the box was dropped by their keeper and although the ball may have snuck over the line Ash unfortunately found himself in its way and he couldn’t quite squeeze the ball over the line. A couple of long shots, some ambitious shots later and it was half time.
Although we never really looked threatened at the back we lacked incision going forward. It seems as though sometimes our decision making lets us down, when we can play the simple pass we don’t and then when the more expansive pass is on we don’t get our head up. There still needs to be a calmer and more simplistic approach to our football. Sometimes we just need to play to feet and move off the ball, support the player and move up as a team accordingly. Too often we look for the Hollywood pass when we could retain possession. Its easy to say all this but we need to make it easier for everyone on our team by making sure we are giving the man in possession an option, not just staring at the ball. Football requires selfless running off the ball to create space for others around you, you cant expect your marker to just disappear.
Sorry, I needed to fill up the report with something, the game was pretty dull (or I can’t remember any of it) We know we can play better but the time has now come for us to stand up and be counted and really start taking responsibility for our performances. If everyone tries their very best for the team on Saturday we will come away with something.
MOM went to Eric at centre back
