Greeted by a rather dull and miserable morning, this was a clash of the table for us. A team that beat us 8-0 back in March I met the game with trepidation.
A late pull out of one player, saw a team of 19 players down to just 2 subs for the day.
An Injured keeper, we saw a big change in our back 6!
Alex stepped up and into goal, quick feet and strong hands making several saves. Unlucky with a couple of the goals, but we can work on your keeper ability.
Harrison T - stepped up and into Right back to cover Alex, and a fantastic game he had, he lead the back line, got the team going. Pushed forward when needed, intelligent play to win throw ins and a real captains performance!
Matthew - our only usual back 6 player of recently, was partnered in the middle by the excitable Wyatt! You two worked together so well, taking instruction from the side and comms were good. Matthew scooping 2 of the 3 awards for seeing us out of danger on more than one occasion with those fantastically timed challenges!!
Wyatt - you pushed forward and up and had to be called back a couple of times, but you listened, worked hard and on the ball defended brilliantly too. Always looking for a positive pass forward is really improving your game each week too! CDM suits your style more, but you did a job for your team and did it well!
Reece - stepping into the role of left back whilst we were without Sofia, and bringing a cool head to the game. Be sure to watch your line of defence and never stop talking, your set piece delivery is honestly second to none, from free kicks to corners you’ve got a talent there!
Chayley - stepping into the CDM role today whilst Wyatt stepped back to CB. Simply due to the speed Wyatt has in that role. Your work rate was superb, a few fouls given away in key positions, and the opposition were working to get you worked up. You held your head well (apart from one time) and let your feet do the talking. Next part of your progression will be about when to stand a player up rather than make the challenge.
Pheen - slotting back into midfield on the wing - always used to be your fav position, but I am seeing more and more how much more dangerous you can be from the middle. Pulling across when asked and those quick feet giving the opposition a lot to think about! Your comms on the pitch were nice and loud as always, and this is becoming a fantastic part of your game showing a maturity to not give up calling as you won’t get every pass you ask for.
Ollie - a force to be reckoned with in midfield and a scary fast talent who can go through challenge after challenge coming out with the ball, meaning you get little protection from the ref sadly. You made a difference to midfield this week slotting in and making challenges we have missed a little!
Leo - one of your best games for us. And a very deserved goal!!! I got very excited! Your improvement at training working on those first time finishes has been seen week after week. You show in training an effort to be in the right position in case a team member misses the ball and your reward was your goal this week!! You worked hard to track back and help out even when players had gone past you, it didn’t stop your effort in trying to get back, making key challenges time and time again. A lovely switch of play over to your brother in the first half too!!
Harry - even being on the opposite side of your brother in midfield - you two were able to find each other and it helped stretch the play. You took a first time finish that was nicely on target and I was really pleased to see that! You worked hard to help out the middle of the pitch to help get the ball back up to you and Ahmed - also a new partnership for you!
Ahmed - first game in 7-8 months for you, and I felt you grew into the game. Need to work on holding your position higher up the pitch as striker, so we have an outlet up there when we win those midfield battles. Trust your team and the ball will come. This you did and you got closer and closer to that first goal - great footwork at times going past 2 or 3 of them - and great speed too! We just need to strengthen your partnerships up front so you can learn how to play as 2 up top or as solo etc.
Ryan - came on and into the midfield for the second half and got a clattering again! Don’t be scared to take those touches that take you past the opposition more, it creates you so much time and space and be sure to pass that ball ahead of your team mates and into space where possible. Don’t panic and trust yourself! Don’t be shy of passing back to CDM or the right or left back (depending which side you are playing) if you pass it back you can make that run down the wing and deliver to the striker - always following up too!
Overall 3-1 loss sounds alright after they beat us 8-0 in March, but we were the better side with some great one touch football/triangle work at times, but we lacked consistency in this and when we switched off briefly we were punished.
We go again away to Arborfield Aces and a new look to our side with some showing this weekend where they can truly shine!!!
Let’s go Bees! ?? ?? ??
