Captain for today was RE as he helped encourage an exciting game driven by a good performance across the team.
Starting with RE in goal, giving an assured performance with good command of his area and more consistent goal kicks.
The defence with OK and JF supported the midfield of SR, RD and OK, allowing them to get forward and assist JC.
Across the park, all of the players held their positions nicely, covering each other and, most importantly, not rushing in to conceding possession.
A confident, first half performance earned a goal from RD that was unfortunately cancelled out by a rather soft goal near the end.
A couple of changes, JF in goal, RE up front, SD in defence and JR in to the midfield, the second half started in the way the first half finished. Fast attacking from the wings and the front man put Fleet under reasonable pressure with Robbie providing very good cover for the defence. A number of chances were, unfortunately, missed; notably RD excellent free-kick from ~18 yards out coming off the left hand post had me holding my breath! Had we stretched the lead, I feel that would have wrapped the game up.
Towards the end, a couple of Fleet changes, and maybe a little tiredness on our part, allowed the pressure to be put on us, resulting on a frustratingly late equaliser for the away team!
Overall, I was really proud of the performances across the team. The positions were held much better than they have been and the passing was there to be seen by all with some particularly nice interchanges on the attack. Still to work on is the communication - it was a little better today, but there is still room for more talking to each other - and closing down the opposition when they are in possession - this was great in the first half but lacked, notably, in the closing stages of the second half.
I was delighted that, after hassling him for the last few weeks to calm down, put his foot on the ball and be more considered in his passing, JF had an excellent first half as he did this as well as putting in a number of well-timed tackles/blocks and holding his position nicely. For this, JF won a difficult to call Man of the Match. Well done, JF.
