After the disappointment of last weeks result I ws really looking for a reaction this week and in fairness I new we would have our work cut out dealing with this team.
Our back four last week were pulled from pillar to post and it was very important that we got some stability back there and so a change was made by dropping Sammy Wanless and playing Matty Saunders at Right back.
We started the game ok kept poesession but lacked any real penetration it soon became apparent in the first 10 mins that Long Itch were looking the more threatening.
We went a goal down to a well worked move down our Right ball pinged in for a free header at the far stick and at that point they thought this would be easy pickings for them.
How wrong they were Joss and Stevie started to dictate the midfield Matty and Tom overlapped and Stace got more of the ball, All of a sudden we had come alive we had a steely determination about us, I guess we realised that this team were no better then us and so it was to be proved about 7 mins after they got the opener we were awarded a free kick which Joss despatched easily along with the help of some poor defending.
We kicked on from there and while they huffed and puffed and Simon pulling off a couple of good solid stops in the first half we went into half time in the lead and looking good.
My concern was we did the same last week and fell apart second half but today proved to be different. The lad's wanted to prove they were better then last week that on our day we can compete and beat most teams, We were disciplined,hungry, merciless when we attacked Joss man of the match for me was immense, short passes long passes played football even though he was targetted second half and was on the receiving end of a couple of nasty challenges.
He continued to stand out and play his football, I was immensley proud of the way we stood up to their physical presence and we countered it with at times quite superb football especially the 5th goal I think which was one of the best counter attacking goals I have seen at this level
Fillipo and Ash up front again looked sharp Ash running off the ball was excellent and Fillipos chased everything along the front line and again had a real influence and there is a real maturity about Fill's game now.
Sam Foster worked hard as usual and was a constant menace and Stace worked the wing effortlessly helping to create attack after attack and delivered some excellent balls into the box.
Stevie Jason and Adam had solid games Stevie stuck to his task well breaking up play and linking the mdfield with the forward line , Adam and Jason had their best game at Centre back's together which allowed Matty and Tom to push forward and help the attack when possible, I really couldnt beleive it was the same team that played the week before.
Ross, and Sammy came on second half and again made a difference Ross started the move for one of the goals and Sammy stuck to his task well getting forward and helping at the back when he could but I have to mention our Captain Simon who shouted and encouraged and gave a real Captains performance and led by example in goal.
He was superb and really gave us that solid platform to build on and overall it was a complete performance by everyone.
Whitnash at home this week and with this game brings a new dimension on how we handle it. The bar was set on Sunday and we need to build on it, We took apart a div 3 team who new they were beaten they didnt whinge and wine at the end of the game we matched and outplayed them in every position, We go into Sunday's game with the same attitude we finnish teams off and we look to enhance our reputation further.
Well done lad's nurse the knocks this week and let's start again at training on Friday.
