Playing league leaders hoping to match the lquality of football from the first match at home against them...Eagles started quicker in first five minutes, first to most balls but with the introduction of EH we then seemed to wake up and win those balls. At times we played some quite dynamic football.... The ball was moving quickly between players with angled runners and a degree of thought going into it :-o The first goal came after a through ball from RD in midfield, with ON running a diagonal line in order to receive into space and onside..A great finish from ON. Nearly made it two after a quick freekick from EH to GW who struck a fantastic shot/cross that somehow stayed out with EHE looking to get a toe-in. I was really impressed with the quick thinking between GW and EH..... Other opportunities and more possession came and it was clear we were well in control. Josh had been making some driving runs down the right side of midfield, as well as holding the ball up. Joab was stepping in front of his winger to intercept long passes, likewise OK was reading the ball going into the edge of the box. As seems to happen in most of our games, when in control, we lose the momentum by conceding a counter attacking goal and then within a minute Mytchett seemed to go through the middle of the defence, a parting of the waves, to score a second, in what seemed like slow motion...Strange half time team talk really... Not too much to be said...I think I mentioned that I could be having a cup of coffee reading the papers if the boys are not going to focus..... Second half, Mytchett striker was influencing the game more now... He was lively and causing panic when he had the ball...They had a very quick right winger and as a team played with real pace when attacking...JR was doing some stout defending on the left side of defence and TH likewise was standing up to Number 10, not going to ground, so giving time for players to recover back. EHE on left side was now attracting Mytchett players over to his side with his workrate and tenacity. Some of the tackling against him was robust but sure I saw a little grin on his face when that happened. We had plenty of possession but our attacking side was being a little wasteful, not quite creating the opportunities, with the play not having the same speed and fluidity as Mytchett. Eventually a pass into Oskar who then played a clever ball through to Jasper whose pace left the defender and finished well. JW pace was a problem for Mytchett but sadly we struggled to get him on the ball enough. 2-2 game on..RE performed a good save from a counter attack to keep it level and Mytchett keeper was diving to his right for a shot that went just wide. Panthers put pressure on themselves giving away endless and needless corners and not dealing with the ball and this eventually resulted in the third for Mytchett. 1/ Mytchett were quick and clever and took advantage of our mistakes. Need to learn to defend as a pair against pacey skillfull players. 2/ Our forward players not in front of the Mytchett defender when cleared from defence meaning the ball came back and more pressure on us. 3/ Attacking - Didn't create enough chances and some of the options we chose were er a little odd. Running away from our own support into a crowd of Mytchett players etc. The plan at the beginning of the season was to play football at the right level and be competititve. M The boys are clearly enjoying their football, may not like losing, but for many that disappointment disappears on way back from the game. My question always is - are they improving as players and are they willing to learn...
We've lost 5 league games this season, all by a single goal margin and everyone of them level going into the final quarter. I think that is impressive and er not so impressive. I sound like a broken record at the end of the game and match report time..(played well and lost!!)...
I think I mentioned at the end that motm award will still carry on but we're not going to continue with trophy.. I'm not convinced many of the boys cherish the trophy itself. ..... Finally, we are still 12 players going to a match. That is a lot of substitutions and particularly for the more forward based players a little less time on the pitch. The other option is we go to games with 11 players and have some sort of rota like last year...If anyone cannot attend next week's game please let me know.
