We knew this would be a tough but enjoyable game as we were taking on Div 1 team CPR Trojans, a side that beat us last season. More importantly, the brief before the game was that this would be a concentration challenge, as Trojans were good at passing and having players running from deep.
First Half
We'd not played a match since 14/12 and in the first couple of minutes we showed our rustiness, giving away possession a couple of times, with CPR Trojans having a shot just wide early on. CPR and Panthers had similar possession levels in the first half, but Panthers were very decisive in their passing and looked dangerous, moving the ball on quickly. Very little dwelling on the ball. First goal from JC, after a quick throw-in from RD. CPR were clever with good interchange of passing particularly wall passes. Panthers kept their shape, trying to breaking up play and then passing forward. The second goal from EHE was an example of this, after breaking down play, RD put a lovely ball through to EHE to run inside the box and tuck it into the corner. Third goal was similar to the second, although the finish from EHE was a little more scuffed ....CPR had a few corners, which were brilliantly delivered, but Panthers who've been undone numerous times this season through corners were switched on. Great freekick from CPR number 6 just whistled over the bar, but I'm sure our keeper had it covered :-o. CPR played some clever football down the right wing, but we were just able to keep them at bay.
Second Half
CPR stated strongly at the beginning of the half and Panthers seemed to be struggling to get hold of the ball. We tended to panic a little and put ourselves under pressure....Almost like in a world cup, we dropped deeper and hoofed it a little, inviting the opposition on to us which they duly did. After a couple of good chances, CPR finally got one back. They then pushed on for a second, not helped by some Panthers passes that went astray. CPR were playing a high switch pass from right to left into the box, which kept everyone on their toes. However, as the second half went on, so Panthers seemed to find their touch again and their keeper had at least two good saves to make....
Comments
JR made some surging runs down his side of the pitch. Equally, ON was covering well and looking to break forward. JF was releasing EHE down the left side and had a shot just over the bar from a corner. wing back shape was good, just need to check our shoulders. OK did well at sweeper, but needs to be careful of dwelling on the ball. TH was looking good in that first 15 minutes of the match including a surging run forward, sadly hurt his hamstring and missed the rest of the game. Our keeper did well saving a few shots, although we may need to be clearer about picking the ball up when it is inside our penalty area. EH worked tirelessly with RD in midfield, reading the game well...
Pleasure to play against a team like CPR Trojans. Some of their pasing and movement was excellent and meant the boys had to really concentrate off the ball. CPR tended to attack with more players than we did, so as a result Panthers were able to counter. Panthers have had high percentages of ball posession this year yet come away with a loss. Today we had slightly less possession than opposition, but looked to attack intelligently, without resulting to hoofing...Win or lose wish we could play more passing teams rather than the slighlty route one stuff we face....
