Pip Hatch notches his fourth consecutive hat – trick as SEDS make it 7 unbeaten…….
…….And there it is, another Saturday come and gone, but there is good news. We get to test ourselves all over again next Saturday and whatever opposition comes our way.
Well done to all the players and managers who represented the clubs three sides over the weekend fixtures.
Unlike last weekend when all three teams recorded positive results sadly the third team were edged out by a single goal in there game losing 3 –2 at home to Hampden park. The score suggests that the match was a close affair and that the SEDS 3RD, pushed their opponents all the way. Keep battling lads, work hard for each other and more positive results will come your way. Northiam football club must be sick of the sight of SEDS 2ND team. After heroically beating there first team in the cup last week (two divisions higher) they have now dispatched there 2nd string outfit 4 – 1 in another cup match. Great result and great performance, back to back wins and progress recorded in the cup offers the chance to extend your season and have a shot at winning some silverware. Well done and keep it going lads…!
Training improves performance
Whilst I have the opportunity can I just request that more people make the effort to attend training on Wednesday evenings? I know that that numbers have dipped in recent weeks which tends to coincide with footie on the box and cold weather – yes we have noticed….!
Can I encourage you all to take a little bit of pride in your own personal fitness? The fitter you are the bigger the contribution you can make on a Saturday - too benefit your team mates and help your team get better results. I understand some of you may have commitments that clash such as work or getting intimate with the couch but I’m sure you would all benefit from the work out. If there is another reason you don’t attend training such as transport problems or perhaps you don’t like the training, please let me know and we will see what we can do to help or make changes. If you don’t want to post your suggestions why not text me on 07900 787795.
Onwards and upwards…..
Sedlescombe 4 – 1 St Leonards Social
SEDS 1st travelled to Tile kiln to take on St Leonards Social in the intermediate Robertsbridge Charity Cup. Whilst SEDS were in good form going in to the game – unbeaten in their last six games, the SEDS were potentially missing a total of 8 squad team players, which left the team short of recognised centre halves and full backs.
This was a cause for concern for player Manager Matt Noonan and assistant Bryan White - whilst the players covering in defence are all good players in their own right, the concern was based more in respect that they had not played together as a defensive unit before and would they be able to work cohesively together.
A slightly nervous start to game led to St Leonards social taking the lead 8 minutes in, with the striker rolling the centre halve, breaking through a couple of challenges and almost appearing to shin a bobbling deflected effort, which wrong footed the keeper and nestled gently in the back of the net from 6 yards out. As usual the SEDS Achilles heel of conceding the early or first goal had come to haunt us once again. We need to get to grips with this lads we must concentrate and get ourselves fully focused before the game starts…..
If the goal was punishment for a little nervy indecision in our early performance, what followed after was fantastic!
Every single player was superb from 1 to 12 you all played your part. The goal conceded seemed to galvanise us and spark us in to life. We grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and dominated all over the pitch and with the exception of a low drive which Adam Corten got down well too push the effort round the post in the second half its difficult to recall another serious effort on the SEDS goal for the rest of the match. Adam, Kayner, Sam, Matt and Ryan gave a solid performance, whilst Linkie worked tirelessly sitting in front of the back four and stopping the supply in to the socials front men – and providing a solid platform for launching attacks - everyone was working in harmony.
Lex worked hard winning ball in air and on ground and playing it simply, whilst the direct running of Luke, Jack and Mikey caused numerous problems as they committed opposition players which in turn opened up space for Pip to operate in and link the play. It was close to poetry in motion at times and we could have and perhaps should have scored more…..!
Pip continued his remarkable goal scoring record of notching another hat trick, and is currently a Man on Fire…, and long may it continue. Registering with a tap in and a well dispatched penalty, his first a perfectly placed looping header was a peach. It would be unfair however not to mention the cross/pass for this goal which was a quality ball provided with real pace from Mikey Booth which allowed Pip to steer it goal-wards.
Mikey got on the scoresheet himself which was just reward for his hard work and unselfish running.
When Linkie was replaced on 65 minutes, Paul Francis came on and gave an excellent account of himself and his ability, neat and tidy in possession, as he looks to return to fitness following several seasons out of the game – well done Paul.
Man of the match this week goes to Sam Fuller, who stepped up from the 2nd team for only his second first team appearance this season and never put a foot wrong.
In summary lads if we can learn to absorb pressure, defend well and regain possession – then have the composure to play a pass, moving the ball quickly, be tidy in possession, and be on the move ourselves we have enough pace and ball carriers to cause the opposition problems going forward.
There are far harder opponents to come and that starts this weekend coming with a visit to Hawkhurst who I believe we owe them one after the 5-3 defeat we suffered at home to them.
We must however guard against becoming over confident or complacent in our attitude. Going unbeaten is a great effort but all we have won thus far is a few admirers of a team in good form !
We must remain hungry and take each game as it comes, week by week will provide a different challenge and we must rise to each and overcome to be truly successful.
In closing get your raffle tickets in, reply to Matt pronto regarding your availability, have a good week and get to training……!
Ps. Keep them peeled as I will be posting some stats on here later in the week – Stato, stato !!!
