3rd formation in 3 weeks, we’ve gone from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3 to a 4-1-3-2.
The biggest key to our game, and takeaway from the last two weeks was being beaten by that same through ball. So the 1 in front of defence as a holding midfield player - our wall - our cover and newest position today was key!
A hard fought first half saw us go in at the break 1-0 up. A superb corner from H met by Ollie C who’s determination to drive on and score shows week in week out!
Second half and again Ollie C on a fantastic through ball, loses his boot but pushes on and gets the ball to Ollie H who finally gets a deserved goal!
The did pull one back, and whilst a clean sheet would have been superb, they worked hard and respect where it’s due were a hard fought and organised side!
Final 12 minutes - we told the boys (sorry Sofia) 15 to go, fight for everything defend with everything - work harder than ever before - and they did!! A much deserved win and 2 exceedingly happy coaches!
Team spirit - everyone! Parents player - Matthew Coaches MotM - H
Ollie H - I’ve never seen a player work so hard up front and so deserving of his goal today! The challenges you walked through, you bounced back up each time and kept our press high. Removing you from midfield was always a risk this season, but you take the fight for the ball higher up the pitch!
Fin - your best half of football - when asked to hold the ball up, you did, you played some clever balls through to Ollie H and applied pressure your side of the pitch when needed to!
Ollie C - an assist, a goal and only one boot at one stage too! Playing 2 key roles today and an excellent shift and battle in each of those. You show a great turn of pace and skill to beat your opposition and worked back hard today too!
Harrison - fantastic captains performance today - you pushed on and listened to George’s guidance when needed. I was really proud that you asked to swap sides for the second half so you didn’t lose that guidance! Your work rate with that tight hamstring was first class! A couple of great runs forward today too and you worked hard with H to dominate a testing midfield!
H - a thoroughly deserved man of the match performance today - you bring the team up and work and battle hard in all areas of the pitch, supporting the defence and the new CDM role superbly. Fantastic partnership with Harrison and really starting to dominate the centre of the pitch! A superb display of technique with a fantastic long range effort in the first half going just wide of the post too! The delivery from the corners today were also superb and a deserved assist - 3 in 3 now!
Ryan - a big welcome to the team - and not out of place either. We need to build your confidence as on the ball you showed you can beat your man more than once and come out with the ball - I was so pleased to see you take a shot too, you worked the right wing brilliantly feeding through to the 2 Ollie’s!
Bradley - big new role, and you did it superbly, you stand up the player brilliantly, and found a role that suits you in a completely different way to our other CDM today. Starting with you there - you protected the back 4, used your head on more than one occasion and fought hard to get that ball through and up the pitch - take that confidence into training and the next game!
Wyatt - bringing you in for Bradley at half time - big shoes to fill, and fill them you did. Having you make those challenges higher up the pitch worked to your favour. You were also there to cover whenever the defence needed! So a different take on the CDM role, but one that really suited you!
Sofia - such a solid performance - fantastic throws, great feet and strong passes up the pitch - you stand up to the opposition time and time again making it difficult for them to get their shot or pass away! That almost goal line clearance… you reacted fast being first to the ball from Luke’s save! You are very strong and took a few shoves in the back today too, but you bring a calm to the defence also!
Matthew - your timely challenges were second to none, you were a pain in their side time and time again, sliding challenges saw you get the ball everytime and not conceding one foul either! You were shoulder to shoulder for every challenge and worked to cover with Cristiano superbly! That one challenge - we all know the one *chefs kiss*
Cristiano - a much happier position at CB and back with Matthew as a partnership reflected in your game - you listened well and have started to hold your line brilliantly too!!! Several fantastic challenges and read of the game to get to the ball first!
Alex - so strong in defence and playing more on the wing suits your style of play - you have more space to be Alex! More challenges and coming out with the ball time and time again as the game went on! Fantastic throws and a real weapon that we can utilise more!! The pushing forward with the ball means we can play a high line of defence and play it well!
Luke - there you are - our keeper is back! 3 absolutely superb saves today - 2 high ones and one you got your leg down to so fast, I thought they had you beat!! What I loved by those high ones was the strength in your arms to push that ball up to give you the chance to then catch it after! Great comms from the back - quick off your line, getting to the ball and giving your defence time and confidence. Good kicks with a rolled ankle today too!
Only 3 or 4 mistakes which we weren’t punished for today, and we tightened up from each of them for such a good team performance. I thought the work rate across the team was superb and felt we worked for each other so much more today!! The defensive line caught them offside so many times, the midfield battles we won, and upfront we could have had a few more goals! Getting to the ball first, making it a whitegrove ball, putting in that challenge made us so much more competitive in an excellent all round performance!
Today really epitomised our motto Together Everyone Acheives More!
Parents - thank you for your support - without you we cannot do this! Neil - thank you for running the line too!
Let’s go Bees - cup game next!!
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