M4 vs Ross-on-Wye 2 (A) Won 0-1
MOM: Peter
DOD: Jonathan
This week…so we win again!
Well, well, well we seem to have discovered how to win. The secret is to keep the ball and score more goals than the opp in case you need to know.
Ross were only one place above us in table and had only narrowly beat us 1-0 earlier in the season, so I dared to say we could get a result. After losing, Tobias to last minute commitment that he had ‘forgot’, I gained an old-timer, Adrian. We jigged the formation around as we had now it seemed more mid-fielders than usual.
And what a lovely day for a trip out to Ross, our last visit was in torrential rain, thunderstorms and flooding. Now Ross play, a physical game but with a few skilful players, so we remembered to point them out, then after winning the toss and swapping ends as chief strategist had, using his naval knowledge calculated the optimal sun position. We started and chased Ross and the ball around for the first 5 minutes, when we did get the ball, we squandered procession easily. But it has been said before, by Mr Kim that the M4’s are solar powered (like Superman) and as the game continued, we warmed (sunshine?) to the task – Mr Kim’s calculations helping out? The defence was coping with Ross’s attacks – Bill was solid again, and mid-field was beginning to click, Peter was everywhere. A break down the right, feed Justin, whose shot was saved off the keeper’s chest, but it dropped and on the first bounce, Dave crashed the ball into the goal, 0-1. Asked afterwards, Dave said this was more a tennis shot – a forehand slice, than a classic hockey technique. Soon after, Jonathan got a green for taking youngster out (we checked and the youngster didn’t seem to have noticed). Ethan was then dragged back to fill the mid-field role and mark the quick, skillfull player whose was significantly bigger than Ethan, he put in a good shift. For all the procession by both teams, neither troubled the keepers very much. We were back to full strength for about 5 minutes until, Jonathan got a yellow for a clumsy challenge (no youngsters this time), Ethan looked at me and sighed and got on with his 2nd time playing in the mid-field, we were back to full numbers just before half-time, when Jonathan clattered into another tackle, oh dear. Now we are a friendly bunch and the umpires not wanting to raise paperwork, agreed to Jonathan going off and then we play with 10.
So half-time, Jelly Babies (especially for Bill), Tangfastics and oranges and lots of water and a re-jig to play with 10, Ethan knew his fate. Right, so instructions, KEEP the ball and slow the game down. We had good input on game management from all the senior players. Marcus kept doing either clam down hand movements or dance moves, well he wasn’t that busy.
So, in the ½ half it was team defend. That’s not to say we didn’t attack, every now and then we got the ball to the solitary striker, Fin or Justin. Some one-time first passes and triangles managed to remind Ross that the equalising goal will have to earnt. We competed well, Pete offering up the centre mid-field pivot, passes were crisp and to sticks and it looked easy with Shaun trying to link to provide more of an attacking threat. Pete took a stick to his face, nasty looking cut and had to be tended by our supporters, thanks Mrs Myles, also helps having Bill (an anesthetist) but, sorry Pete, we needed Bill in defence more, Pete was patched up and sent back on. It was noted about poor provision in the first aid kit and apparently all you need is a large tub of Vaseline and some plasters! All missing items have been ordered!
Ross had several groups of short corners – it was noted that if opp. haven’t scored by the 3rd attempt then defence prevails. And we had a few shorts! But it was good game management as a team, defending all the way to the end.
And that’s how it ended and well fought victory, teas in the Hope & Anchor overlooking the river in the sunshine, good times.
MOM: Peter – Excellent in mid-field and putting body (face) on the line
Honourable mentions: Bill – as solid as ever, Ethan – playing for the team
DOD: Jonathon – well the cards
So Jonathan…..