On a very wet match day 8, we was host to BOUNDARY PARK ‘B’. And not to get carried away with our obvious good start, we was not going to take the opposition for granted, has we did in our only defeat of the season so far. On the whole we have to be delighted with the boys efforts thus far, they are showing all the signs of a very good team in the making, hard working, creative, determined and a good team spirit is always shown. Today they encountered a different aspect of the game, in some intimidating behaviour. I am sure this is not a reflection on Boundary as a club, but today a few players could well have got hurt in different surroundings. The most pleasing aspect was that our players did not rise to it, and duly got on with what they do best and that is to play football.
First half turned out to be a very scrappy affair, with the ‘hunt in packs’ mentality once again being adapted by the opposition. This coupled with some very poor challenges, was starting to frustrate the boys and it was starting to show in their game. Player of note in the first half was Ethan, not for anything spectacular, but the fact that every time he got fouled he jumped right back up and had another go. I don’t think this was a game plan of the opposition just kids being kids and I am sure they will learn in time. In the midst of all this scrappiness we was showing signs of wanting to play and we created a couple of chances of note, we was testing the keeper from long range efforts which was pleasing. Ethan, on the occasions he managed to stay on his feet was looking really threatening, and had some good shots. Oliver and Taylor were showing the bond they are forming with solid performances, one of them bombing on at every opportunity. I think today’s game typifies why we have adapted this method of defence/attack, if you witnessed the game, the goal scorers more than tell a story. Another dodgy tackle by an opposition defender lead to our first goal, with Taylor Bowles stepping up to take the resulting free-kick. With a four man wall in front of him, and a very small target to hit, Taylor let leash a thunderous shot straight into the bottom left, I think the wall breathed a sigh of relief when it flew passed them….great goal…1-0. …….HALF TIME
We decided the game was too tight to make any substitutions, another goal would give us enough leeway to ensure the win, and make the changes our squad dictates. Having spoken to Gary, we have decided that future matches will see only 8 players making the trip to games, and the boys that are needing a little more encouragement rotating each week, with the view to improving their game in training.
Anyway second half was a lot more pleasing to the eye as the boys got used to some under handed tactics, and were starting to prove their calibre as a footballing side. Chance after chance started to appear, it was like that first goal lifted a little monkey off their backs and we was playing some good stuff. Taylor was bossing the game at the back, and this really did need a big guy with broad shoulders to take it by the scruff of the neck and dominate proceedings. Still buzzing from he’s first half free kick, Taylor was on top of his game he was running with the ball, muscling people off it and getting forward at every opportunity. No-one thought he could better he’s first goal, when, out of nowhere he hit a shot from the half way line (a-la Beckham)that caught the keeper unawares and made it 2-0 to the boys. goal of the season so far!
Now was the time to introduce some fresh legs and take off a few that were starting to feel the oppositions tackles. Kieron and Ethan were the ones affected the most, taking some bruising attention as they attempted to dribble past defenders. Olivers turn to venture forward and he duly finished the game off with another smart finish to make it 3-0 to the boys.
So has the title suggests maybe we should start believing in our obvious ability, and try to improve further in training…..long may it continue………well done boys!
SM....GL