radley youth fc vs afc hinksey spring cup final group b.
since only restarting this age group at radley this season it was a joy and upmost pleasure to lead the lads out on sunday to there first cup final. on paper we have played hinksey 3 times and won only one and lost the other two. hinksey to be honest really did no threat me with the way they play, normally its a long ball toe punt and there big midfielder that has caused us damage. todays game radley had there tails up only to see a toe punt free kick just near the half way line cruely bounce over matty. after that it was radley that looked the team trying to play the football with around 4 decent chances not going our way. 2nd half radley still looked the better team but only to see hinksey increase there lead with a goal which i can only discribe as one off the knee. radley pressed on but really didnt look like scoring. one of those days when you know your lucks not in. if it was a boxing match then radley would of won this game hands down. all the players was gutted which i fully understand but at times throughout the game it called out for somebody to grab the game by the scruff of the kneck and take control.but it really did not happen. players were all told what was expected and what we needed to achive but at times all we wanted to do was long boot and pray that one of the strikers would get a chance.if i had the chance to change the starting line up or formation on which we played then the anwser would be no.we looked half decent, not the best peformance on which i have seen but looked easy winners which was not to be. since our first proper football match vs abingdon town at the start of the season the team has really been a bit up and down on peformances. every week i look at the positives but also there are negatives which still need to be accounted for which we all have tried to iron out.the lads have had a hard season in fairness in the b league on which trying to gel and get to know everyone, also myself knowing some players good and bad points on which will take a fair amount of time to suss out.now the season is finished and looking back since last september i have learned alot from the squad of players which i have had.with a big squad of 16 players it has been a nightmare trying to play all the lads as much as i felt i could and yes i will hold my hands up and say that looking back now i did sign on too many, but with only a week to go before the start of the season radley had a squad of 12 and i was concerned of not having enough just incase there was injuries and sickness but really there was only a couple of players which did not turn up for every game.if i had a smaller squad to work with then this season just gone i can bet anyone that i would have had injuries and sickness galore.we got relegated and the blame is my fault and mine only, i was being the nice guy by giving all players a runout and not really thinking on what might or could happen by changing players around everyweek in different postions etc. since the 1st of april this year i made a bold decision to reduce the amount of players of the squad for next season its not a nice thing to do and it is not the first time i have had to do this. at the end of the day it is kids football which i fully understand and watching them play regardless of the result should be the correct direction.this is true but i am a winner and i dont like to lose, thats me and i know there is a lot of pepole out there that have the same desire.like i said beforehand i have made it clear to all that some players will not be with the squad next season. its not because i dont like them but feel that it would be fair for themselfs and the squad. next season seems light years away but its only around the corner and i want to be up and running at max speed on the ground when the new season starts. i have enjoyed myself so much since being manager the 2nd time round on which i said i would never do again. also i would like to thank stuart sharp for all his hard work which he has put in behind the scene. without him then maybe this team might not even got started again. only really known stuart since last march and he has been very helpfull and his passion for the whole club in general is unberleavable.
