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The return League match against Ranville's this week would be an interesting
one, last time we had played well in the first half and fallen to bits in the
second half and lost which Mark and I were very disappointed with.
Since
then a lot has happened, we have been playing well but really needed to turn
good work rate and nice football into good results.
We
have had a few not quite feeling 100% this week so the squad would be tested a
little.
Well the game took a little while to settle but it was Falcons who got the first
goal. James driving down the right beat two players and crossed the ball for
Lewis, who missed it, but Carl snatched the opportunity following in behind.
Carls first Falcons goal I believe so well done mate.
Ranville's weren’t settling for that though and started to really up their game.
Jai was having a real torrid time with the Ranville's left winger but staying on
his feet making things difficult did enough several times. We endured a few
goal mouth scrambles that we really should have dealt with much better and
Ranville's hit the bar with the ball bouncing down on the line for Todd to
Grab. After a couple of offside attacks by us we were really feeling the
pressure and several strong clearances were only made by our midfielders efforts
to get back behind the ball. But our failure to control possession in the
opposition half led to a Ranville's equaliser. For some strange reason this
week we looked a bit shaky at the back, there were some poor first touches that
allowed Ranville's to get in behind and several times Todd was out to collect
just in time. Callum had been playing some clever balls forward but the numbers
were not high enough up the pitch for us to control the play in the Ranville's
half. We were effectively pegged back.
A change was made that had an immediate impact. Harrison coming on up
front quickly latched onto a through ball, rounded the out rushing keeper and
smartly slotted home. A really composed bit of finishing.
Falcons settled a bit and began to use the ball a little better, we pushed
Ranville's back into their half and any attempt to get it out was sent straight
back into the mix by Aaron, Tyree, and Jai especially who read things well.
Dylan on the left was working hard and played some good quick passes, just
lacking slightly the drive to travel forward with the ball and pressure the
Ranville's right back. Now with possession comes opportunity. Ryan was
unfortunate with a long distance effort that looked like it could beat the
keeper. Our midfield of Keenan and Carl worked really hard to win possession
quickly when it was lost and we held strong to the half time whistle.
We had done well first half but I was a little concerned about some silly
mistakes we had made that had left us very open. At 2-1 anything can happen but
looking at the bench, changes were possible to freshen things up.
So several were made with James P, Brad, Charlie and Lewis coming on. A change
to our forward line was made to add extra pace, if we couldn’t hold possession
as a team high up the field then lets go with pace as we have that in abundance.
Falcons started well but Tyree was quickly on as Charlie really wasn’t up for it
today.
Now it was game on, could be extend our lead?, Well with James P being a
slightly more defensive minded player it would offer a little more protection.
Alex, for Ranville had been a handful at left wing but was playing more central
as striker and that meant Aaron and Tyree had to be on their toes. The game was
quite tight with both sides creating chances. Several Ranville''s shots went
wide with Todd making a good stop. A chance for Brad whose shot was closed down
but Keenan was at hand to rocket the rebounded ball into the net. Minutes later
I thought Jai was going to be celebrating when a vicious shot looked like it
might sit in the top corner but narrowly missed.
We had a buffer we needed really, the midfield was very tight and several times
Lewis, playing left wing, showed good tenacity on the way back to win the ball
back. Ryan was having another good game playing some great balls down the line
for Lewis but importantly helping to deal with the attacking pace of Ranville's
forward who seemed to be playing on the counter attack bolstering their numbers
in the midfield.
Ranville's got a breakthrough from a poor Falcons clearance and they were very
much back in the game.
Falcons were also playing on the counter a little, the midfield was all very
scrappy, some good through balls were played with both Harrison and Lewis
unfortunate not to get on the end of them. James B was still getting forward but
his defensive play was really good today, some fantastic strong tackles were on
display from him, and he was more than happy to keep getting in behind to
provide crosses. When the point came that I thought we were looking tired in
the middle, Callum came back on at the expense of a forward, this gave fresh
legs and the ability to keep possession, matching Ranville's like for like. We
were winning and to grind out the result we just had to defend well. It was all
quite nervy but the boys all did their job and walked away winners in a very
committed performance. Both teams played their part in a good match but Falcons
wanted it a little more this week and it showed.
Final score Gosport Falcons 3-2 Ranville Rangers
Well obviously I was pleased with the result but the performance was good also,
even though I felt we were slightly better last week where we got nothing! But
the Falcons commitment in matches is exceptional at the moment throughout the
team. I like the way we are playing at the moment, we create good chances and
although we made a few mistakes at the back today we look much more organised.
In midfield I think we could still keep possession better but the legwork put in
there from Carl, Keenan and James P today was superb.
Good to see some different names on the score sheet today. Goals from midfield,
and our two wingbacks having good distance efforts today too. All the squad
played a part in the game yet again, whether it’s 10 mins or 60 mins everyone
plays a part. There’s been a few grumbles about opportunity recently that I
don’t agree with, everyone is given a chance it’s what you chose to show with it
that counts. We have a versatile squad, today’s game plan went out the window
after 15minutes but the boys who went into positions they weren’t expecting
stepped up and did a job.
Guess what? A complete rematch next week in the Portsmouth Cup, same opponents,
same venue, so you will be up for another tough game but you will all hopefully
enter it with a strong sense of belief. Well done to all of you.
Report by U12's manager, Gary Dawson |
