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A re-match against Ranville Rangers this week but in the Portsmouth Cup rather
than in the League.
I felt
Ranville would be really up for it after losing to us in a tight game last week
and expected a real tough battle.
Well
Falcons warm up was really disappointing so I wasn’t full of confidence, many
players lacking concentration and showing awful first touches. Similar to
yesterdays training where some players had lacked, in my opinion, and therefore
wasted an opportunity to impress for a start.
But what a great start we made. Falcons were in total control for the first 10
minutes, we were using the ball quite well, compact and organised, yet couldn’t
quite find a breakthrough for the goal. We had several good distance shots, one
from Callum, one from Keenan and one from Harrison, but in many ways we were
very guilty of not picking the best options to create a goal. That said, if
they are on target then why not have a go but Ranville's keeper got behind the
shots well.
Ranville's were playing on the break and had a few quick breaks that were
concerning but we dealt with them quite well. Dominating the game we were all
waiting for the goal to come but we got hit completely against the run of play.
A forward ball from Ranville midfield found their forward who got in behind,
Todd rushed out to take be ball at his feet but got the feet rather than the
ball and Ranville's had a penalty. Their Captain tucked it away very Cooley.
I wanted the boys to really believe in themselves as they had been pretty
dominant but our play started to reduce in quality. We didn’t keep the ball well
and far too many passes went astray, even more annoying was the lack of
communication between our players who were getting under each others feet time
and time again and making poor mistakes. Again Ranville's hit us with Alex in
behind, the linesman's flag went up for offside, Keenan tracked back and made a
challenge in the box and a contentious penalty was awarded.
Now my
view, no1, it was flagged offside before the challenge, no2, our player had won
the ball. BUT the referee was there to make a decision and this time it wasn’t
in our favour. Ranville's captain again finished the penalty well.
Well
what can you say, dominating a game and losing 2-0 to two penalties. The boys
looked really dejected and we all felt very aggrieved. But could the boys turn
that feeling into a better performance?
Well the game really changed from here. Alex, who had been tackled in the
penalty challenge, was unable to continue and in some pain with his ankle, this
isn’t something anyone wants to see and there was certainly no malice in the
challenge. Hopefully it isn’t too bad and he recovers quickly. This left
Ranville's with 10 men as they had no subs.
With the numbers unbalanced I fully expected Ranville's to Camp 9 players back
behind the ball. We looked for fresh legs in the midfield with Carl coming on
and from a Callum corner James headed home. Shortly after, the half time
whistle went.
Half time score Falcons 1-2 Ranville's
Well
that had been an odd first half. I was disappointed with our wastefulness first
half but pleased with our organisation and especially our discipline in keeping
midfield shape. The boys were told to keep attacking as I fully expected a very
defensive Ranville's performance now and therefore kept the team the same as had
come off. This was a Cup match and no risks were being taken in a knockout
match until we were in control of the games score-line.
Falcons quickly got an equaliser with James netting again after a good drive
forward with some good play from Dylan, who had just come on and involved in
the build up - scores equal.
Ranville were still working very hard and with a
lone forward trying to play the right ball and still causing a few problems for
our defenders, the game was quite tight and Ranville were tough to break down as
they were not gambling numbers going forward.
We
took the lead after some nice quick passing around the box got the ball wide,
James provided the cross , Brad touched it goal-wards on the six yard line and
it defected in from a Ranville's player. I will award the goal to Brad as the
shot was goal-ward before the defection. We had the lead but a one goal lead
can change quickly so we needed another goal, Harrison was at hand to finish
well.
So the
final two substitutions were made with both players waiting very patiently but
the right tactical move to make with two fresh defensive players coming on to
hold our lead.
Ranville were starting to tire and looked a little dejected, with us out
numbering the midfield we could defend and play on the break ourselves. It
worked a treat with Harrison latching onto another two balls and both goals
finished extremely well for a good hat trick.
Shortly afterwards the whistle was blown, a little earlier than my watch read
but the result was what was important today and the team find themselves in the
quarter finals of the League Cup.
Final score, Gosport Falcons 6-2 Ranville Rangers
Well I have to admit we played some good football today, not for the whole game
but for enough of it, pegging any team back the way we did means that we were,
as a unit, working well. We should have taken early chances better and
communication could be better at times but over all very pleased. Nice to see a
good fighting spirit to come back from behind.
I did have to give the Ranville boys some credit as their team of 10 kept on
battling hard for the whole game, but I feel the result was fair as we had
dominated early without scoring against 11-men, had a poor decision against us
for the second penalty. Ranville losing a man perhaps spoilt the game a little
as a contest but that’s why you have a squad, fortunately we have a really
reliable and committed squad and don‘t share that problem.
Our squad has finally become very competitive in EVERY position which, as a
manager, is great but also causes a headache juggling match time, but if a
player is doing a good job and we need to win a match then why make unnecessary
changes?. Every week there is a training session to improve and prove, this is
where some players could improve their attitude and performance. That said all
4 subs today did a good job when called on which proves that the squad is now in
a better position to compete than previously. Tough to pick some weeks, It has
taken a while but hopefully the group can really push for the rest of the season
now.
I am hoping for a really challenging fixture in the next round of the Cup to
really test the boys, at this stage of the competition I doubt I will be
disappointed! On current form the real challenge to the team is to remain
unbeaten in the League for the upcoming matches. A tough ask? Maybe, but I have
seen enough promise in recent weeks to think it’s feasible.
Thanks to Paul for running the line and to all the Parents who made the effort
to help with the nets.
Report by U12's manager, Gary Dawson |
