M4 vs Newent M3
Loss 0-1
MOM: Alex
DOD: Tobias
This week…slightly disappointing loss.
So, after the highs of a good performance vs 2nd in the league, I was confident that we can get a result at the bottom of league. I have now been banned from saying ‘we can get a result’. Newent have some availability issues this season so have had a few walkovers, but when they get a team together they get good results, we be shouldn’t over-confident.
Team balance was an issue this week, we seem to have a pleather of forwards, a smattering of mids and a handful of defenders, then a few drops outs left us with 12 on the day.
From the start it was clear both teams were evenly matched, but we pressed and created chances, some good play led to chances for Justin and Will – who keeps popping in the right position a nice back post deflection wide showing our training is showing in places and Justin as always creating mischief. We had a few short corners that looked good but didn’t find the backboards.
The make-shift mid-fields put in a good effort but the natural tendency to drift forward and go direct for goal limited the getting pass & move we have been showing in patches all season. That’s not to say they didn’t have there moments Joey unused to his position of wide-mid in lots of effort, but that was the same for Ollie, Fin, David and Ethan with Shaun doing the defensive screen barking orders, most of it concerned marking and passing.
At the back Mr Kim, Michiel and myself seem to have always an overload and along with Shaun shouted about marking. We did however manage not to concede in the first half, Alex saving regularly. I recall clearing a rebound from a save at chest height. Let’s say we were very very busy. However, the second half Newent seemed to play with shorter passes and movement and at 60 mins scored. For all the chances created as time went on we didn’t look like scoring and that’s how ended.
We didn’t play well and can play better, so next week another potential result vs Gloucester.
MOM: Alex – good saves which kept us in the game.
Honourable mentions: Shaun – mid-field play & Michiel for stout work in defensive
DOD: Tobias – having a social life over hockey, the cheek!
Dis-honourable mentions: Finn, David, Ollie and Justin.