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Our first game back after Christmas saw us face Purbrook Athletic in the quarter
final of the Portsmouth Cup. Nobody was under any illusions that this would be a
very tough game in which we were not the favourites by any means. With
Purbrook, being A div and Falcons being in the C div, it was a challenge that I
relished for our boys just to see what they could do.
Well we set up to try and contain Purbrook in the first half and we sat very
deep. The early encounters were very competitive and Purbrook realised that
they would have to work for it. They took the lead after nine minutes when a
ball wasn’t closed down and they powered the ball into the net.
Sitting as deep as we were was certainly frustrating as we struggled to get the
ball out of our half and to hold any sort of possession when we did, but we did
create a couple of half chances, a distance shot from Brad and an effort from
Callum. Where we excelled was our work rate and attitude defending as a team.
All of the players worked extremely hard to make life difficult for Purbrook who
had several shots over or wide as they didn’t get given time to set themselves.
Falcons, likewise, were given absolutely no time on the ball to play our usual
football. Purbrook got a second later in the half after a free kick was sent
goal wards and a Purbrook player just nicked a head onto the ball before Todd
could claim.
The rest of the half was all Purbrook attacking but Falcons defending valiantly.
Half time score, Falcons 0 - 2 Purbrook Athletic
Well we were pleased with the first half but we needed some more attacking play
to take the pressure off a bit. Keenan and Carl, as holding midfielders, had
worked very hard and made some very strong challenges. The back 4 in general had
been very good, we hadn’t had much attacking play down the flanks purely as we
had been defending deep but everyone had given 100%.
A quick swap of the positions of Callum and James as it was apparent that we
wouldn’t be able to play through Purbrook and needed to play on the counter
attack.
Well the second half was a different match in many ways, it was a more open game
and Falcons saw a bit more of the ball on the attack. Lewis was looking very
bright today and causing Purbrook a few problems. Unfortunately when he got a
run at goal, several times, he was brought down. James looked like he had
scored with a composed drive into the box and looking for the bottom corner and
the Purbrook keeper sticking out a toe to deny him. Another chance passed us by
with Brad taking a free kick which looked set up for a shot but it was instead
a ball over the top with James so close to making contact. Todd was at hand at
the other end of the pitch making a string of good saves to deny Purbrook's
attack, showing what he is capable of and keeping the score down to give us
hope.
But it wasn’t to be today. Against an A div side you need to take your chances
and these just passed us by. Our lack of luck seemed to drive Purbrook on, who
were always a threat, and scored again, and then again. I must give them credit
as they play as a team very well. We were still defending well and I decided to
make some changes to give a few legs a rest and see if our bench could offer
anything different.
Well we did eventually get a goal, the tenacious Lewis got hold of the ball down
the left and crossed a great ball for James who was waiting unmarked in the box
to head home. Purbrook's coaches, to their credit, applauded the goal as if
they had scored themselves.
With a bit of belief back it spurred us on even though we were knackered. Lewis
was so unlucky after hitting the inside of the post and the ball stopping dead
on the line.
From
here on it was all Purbrook, who turned on the style. finishing two good goals
against a very tired and deflated group of boys. And us adding an unfortunate
own goal at the end.
Final
score, Falcons 1-7 Purbrook Athletic.
Well
the score line in the end was very harsh but I would concede to the fact that we
were outplayed today by a very good side who deserved to win. There’s a lot of
positives to take away though, the work rate of the defence and midfield today
was immense with some really good team defending, we created some good chances
which on another day we would put away. Purbrook will admit that they had a
tough game today but they were in control for the majority of the game. The
score line was the only disappointment this week as 5-2 would have been a fairer
reflection in my eyes.
As I told the players before the game, they have done exceptionally well to get
to the Quarter final and they should be proud of their effort today. Its about
pushing these players up a level and Falcons do seem to raise their game when
playing better sides so with a bit more work and good attitude within the squad
to improve, we can get there.
Take the work rate and team attitude shown today into your remaining matches and
we should see some very good Falcons performances in the league.
Good luck to Purbrook, whose coaches attitude really impressed me today showing
us respect and being prepared to encourage our boys too. I hope you can break
the mould of the usual top two in the final and go on to win it this time.
Report by U12's manager, Gary Dawson |
