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With every League fixture now becoming a must win, today’s game was an important
one. Clanfield have had some pretty reasonable results this season and therefore
nothing was left to chance.
Well
we got off to a flying start, our midfield duo were working well and there was
plenty of the ball down the left for Lewis, it was however a ball over the top
for Harrison to latch onto and hit sweetly above the reach of the keeper for an
early lead. This lead was doubled minutes later with Lewis firing home with a
vicious left footed shot.
Clanfield started to get back into the game. Ryan
was given a hard task of tracking the Clanfield right winger, who was very
quick, but Aaron was also at hand to track across and close out the threat.
Clanfield also had a threat down the left where James P was having a superb
game, winning challenge after challenge and coming out with the ball. With
Callum and Carl, in the middle, it provided a nice balance. Carls strength on
the ball was really good and he was using the ball well also. Callum also made
some good strong challenges but used the ball very cleverly opening up space for
us to play some nice football. A chance for Brad, who had a good effort from
the edge of the box, was saved by the Clanfield keeper but we soon found the net
after a shot from Harrison took a big deflection from a defender into the net
and Falcons looked comfortable.
Clanfield really started to up their game
and piled pressure on us. We defended pretty well but eventually we conceded, we
stood off a player, didn’t close down and the Clanfield player struck the ball
really well.
Then
came a goal of the highest quality, a tackle at the back by Aaron, played to
Carl, played to Ryan, played to Lewis, played to Brad, played to Harrison and
finished by James B. All one and two touch, it really was fantastic to see the
team go from back to front to score a team goal like that.
Todd
was finding himself very busy but matching the challenge well. Several good
efforts were stopped by him getting behind the ball and holding the ball really
well.
But it
was Falcons who scored again. Harrison’s distance shot hitting the post and
Lewis following in to tuck home with a composed finish.
Clanfield again got another goal. Our midfielders had worked extremely hard and
looked a bit leggy. Once again we were under huge pressure and another distance
shot found it’s way past Todd. Clanfield were certainly back in the match at
this point, we defended well but couldn’t retain possession, everything was all
a bit panicky. I have to give credit to Callum late in the half for some
excellent defensive work heading off the line and then getting his body in the
way of 3 shots that could have gone in. In fact both Callum and Carl perhaps
had their best midfield game yet in the first half today.
Half time score Falcons 5-2 Clanfield
Well
that had been a great first half but we certainly hadn’t dominated the game. We
had played some really good stuff but took our foot off the gas a bit and become
a bit complacent.
With a good lead I decided to make lots of changes to freshen it up. Four
players coming off, who had all played well, Callum, James P, Lewis and
Harrison, replaced by Alfie, Keenan, Dylan and Jai.
The team had played well first half but at times had reverted to the old style
of play that I have been trying to get us away from, yes we can play the ball
over the top and score and if needs must we will but I am looking for better
football philosophy using width and crosses, more team goals and creativity.
Well
we didn’t have a fantastic 2nd half. Clanfield got a goal quickly and although
we defended well we were not keeping possession of the ball particularly well,
we seemed pegged back once again and we shouldn’t have been. James was our best
outlet tearing up the right wing and putting the ball into the box, a cross to
Brad should have been a goal but although on target the keeper claimed
comfortably. Minutes later James was in behind again and provided a great ball
for Alfie to head home.
But we kept giving the ball away. Charlie came on to sit deeper and help defend.
Clanfield were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box that they duly
despatched into the net with an unstoppable shot. It all felt a bit edgy so
Lewis was brought back on for the chance to get a hat-trick. We had very little
attacking threat down the left second half, Harrison was also brought back on to
hunt another goal on the break and Callum was brought on to hold possession in
the midfield. We were sitting too deep and riding a storm, we needed to
maintain possession in our opponents half.
The changes had a good effect, Lewis was straight on the attack although caught
offside, this said he wasn’t interfering with play when Harrison was through on
goal so a bad line call if you ask me. A late change saw Carl drop into left
back to replace a tired looking Ryan who had a tough task this week.
A ball round the corner from Brad saw Harrison drive into the box but the shot
was left footed and could have been laid back across goal. It hit the side
netting.
But we saw the game out for a good win, Falcons 6 - 4 Clanfield.
Well I felt it was a good performance that once again had spells of superb
football by us, it also had spells where we really do need to show more
composure. With a squad of 16 today, match time was always going to be a
juggling act, but everyone got a run out and played a part in a team performance
that got the right result.
Early doors this game had 10-0 all over it but we let Clanfield get back into
the game and stopped playing as a team at times. Defensively we were pretty
good, a couple of errors in each half but also some fantastic tackles and ball
play in there today. Todd got behind a lot of shots really well in the first
half. In the midfield we played very well at times, the commitment was there
with the tackling, but I still feel we can use the ball even better to keep
possession.
Up top we had threat, but we have 10 times the threat when we play from the
wings. Great to see Alfie on loan today from our U11’s getting on the score
sheet today, certainly a confidence booster for him. Like wise for Lewis who
chipped in today with two very well struck shots after a bit of a lean spell.
Harrison on the score sheet again and Brad with several efforts on target.
I have a commitment to every player in the side and that remains unchanged. I
also have considerable patience! It takes time but in the last few months a huge
difference is now showing. You are all part of a team and should be thinking
“We” not “Me”. We won the game today and we all played a part and we can all
improve, but we were pretty good really.
Thanks to those who helped with the nets and the line today, I was of little use
to anyone helping with that, feeling my age with a bad back. Thanks for the
heat pads Julie!
I
understand there was bit of aggro on the Parents touchline today? If anyone has
an issue with it let me know in writing and I will report it to the League.
See you next week at training.
Report by U12's manager, Gary Dawson |
