Winchmore 1s vs Actonians 1s
SAL Div 1
12 October
Highlights: Not being spanked again
Having lost a cumulative 11-0 over 2 fixtures it was clear that something wasn’t working. On paper we have players and a team that should be driving games forwards, putting opponents on the back foot and winning games. At the very least we shouldn’t be getting drummed 6 and 5 nil. Something needed to change.
Team meeting.
Needed to go over the basics. How do we want to play. What are we actually trying to achieve away from simply trying to contain an opposition for as long as possible.
How do we get the most out of our shape with and without the ball.
Good turn out. It shows the character of us as a squad when we’re all prepared to sit down and talk through our expectations but it means nothing if we’re not prepared to go out and act upon it.
The score line is harsh but the performance shows exactly the kind of reaction we needed. From the start we implemented exactly what we talked about.
The back four of Corfe, Weaver, Branners and Jennings closed up gaps, played more as a unit and kept compact. The screening and collecting of second balls from Sam R and Bex was noticeable with a lot more ball retained. Lewis was playing closer to Barrel with Leroy and Tommy K providing outlets wide.
Our intensity from the first whistle was much better. Everything we talked about Tuesday was being reminded by all players. Clipping balls in behind, fighting to win the ball back in groups, having a good shape and 2 banks of 4 without the ball… these were all the simple things we had completely failed to communicate or implement in the preceding 2 weeks.
We had the better of the first half and came close to opening the scoring. Tommy K got in behind chasing a lifted through ball and was unlucky with his attempted lob. The keeper spread himself well and got a hand to it. The ball bounced off the post with a 50.50 chance of landing back at Teeks’s feet but instead, bounced straight to the centre half who was able to clear their lines.
Despite some good possession and forward pressure we were unable to open the scoring and with around 30 minutes played we were undone.
Finding ourselves out of shape for the first time in the game the ball was collected wide by the Actonians winger who looked up and curled a daisy cutter in behind the back 4. Will Deamer came out to close the angle but was unable to do anything with the first time finish which was slotted past him to give the visitors the lead before half time.
Half time came soon enough and we went in 1-0 down.
This was the test. 2 hammerings in 2 games. Now behind. Again. Would we stick to what we discussed or would we crumble?
A lot of voices in the dressing room. A lot of messages all saying the same thing. Keep playing.
And we did. The back 4 were faced with problems that they dealt with. The midfield got their foot on the ball and looked to play in the right areas. All over the park we were tighter, sharper and looked more focused than the previous weeks.
As the game wore on there were a couple of half chances for either side. As the game stretched there was a little more joy for the Actonians front three and it took a fine bit of sweeper keeper from Will Deamer to prevent a second from going in.
Tommy K came close to equalising and the introduction of Jamie Doyle, Barney and Alex Lodge wasn’t quite enough to see us draw level.
The result was bitterly disappointing but that’s a hundred times better than the embarrassment of the previous games.
We saw today some of the promise that the season can bring. A little unlucky with the way the game went but it was exactly what was needed and being asked of by all of the players from all of the squad.
It means nothing if we think the job is done and we’ve turned a corner. This is something to build on.
MOM – Sam Jennings. We allowed him to get forwards at the right times and he provided a great outlet
DOD – Barrell. Been playing for years and still needed to buy boots 2 hours before kick off.