‘Just like watching Brazil’
Matchday 10.…….Today we entertained an undefeated Heyside Juniors, and it was clear to see why they was unbeaten, they tried to pass the ball, were strong in the tackle and a very hard team to break down. There goalkeeper put in a man of the match performance and teams will do well to beat them. All that said, in case anybody had not noticed , we have a very good side ourselves, who are getting better each and every week they play.
This weeks training was geared towards passing, with a little bit of skill involved but mainly passing. Little drills like passing between markers, 3-a-side games so there is more opportunity to pass the ball. Although it might not appear they are getting it in training, you can see they are trying to adapt it into there game on the Saturday.
One tactical change today, after some deliberation between myself and Gary we decided to utilise Jaden’s obvious energy in a position where he would see more of the ball and be more of a danger to opposing teams. Also we was thinking that Kieron’s quick brain, and link up play would be more suited upfront, where he could out fox the last defender. Would it work?……let’s see.
First half the boys took a little time to adjust to there new positions, and although we was creating chances, we was snapping at shots too early where we should of maybe ran it a little closer, or getting the ball under control first. This is not a bad thing, has sometimes the snapshot can be a good weapon, but more often than not a controlled ball leads to a better outcome weather it be a pass or a shot. Has the half wore on we started to take control of the game with Oliver and Taylor working in tandem at the back, and looking defensively sound, Ethan started to work his magic down the left, Jaden was showing great discipline down the right, both starting to link well with Kieron up front. It was about midpoint through the first half when our game really clicked together, Taylor was running the ball out of defence, head up he was picking some good passes out, to Jaden,Ethan and Kieron. Passing through players was the highlight technically for me today, the boys were not afraid to go through gaps to reach a team mate. Kieron was the main beneficiary of this today, where Ethan and Jaden were feeding him with some defence splitting balls, which has I mentioned earlier he possibly might have took a touch with. It was he’s first game upfront, and I know he will improve his technique in future weeks. Free kick on the edge of the box gave Taylor a chance to unleash his power, just clipping the head of the wall to deflect it over. From the resulting corner a scramble in the box seen the ball come back out to Taylor, who hit a thunderbolt into the top corner from a very acute angle….How he got it in I don’t know, great goal…..1-0...Sam once again was not tested in the first half, but what pleased me with Sam this week was the way he made he,s mind up early to pass it short to Taylor and Oliver when in space. Also some accurate and fast balls to Jaden and Ethan were noted. Half time 1-0.
A few pointers to Kieron and Jaden to help them adjust at half time, other than that carry on has you left off.
Second half we saw the benefits of kieron and Jadens switch, Jaden started to mirror Ethan on the left by offering good pace, and trickery, beating players with ease, and picking some telling passes to Kieron. Kieron in turn, was looking more comfortable upfront, showing in good positions , losing his marker and finding space. Either Oliver or Taylor would pop up to support the attack, which is fast becoming the norm. Teams must find our boys very hard to mark, because you just don’t know who is going to attack next.
Our second goal just typified, what we are trying to achieve with the boys. Sam passed the ball short to Taylor, who in turn sent a nice pass up to Jaden who picked the ball up and ran at the defender. With a drop of the shoulder and shimmy to the right he sells the defender a dummy, picks he’s head up and sees a defence splitting pass, through the players (cones) to Kieron who has lost he‘s marker and found space. Kieron unlike in the first half, receives the ball and gets it under control whilst still on the run, he picks hes head up to weigh up the keepers position, then hit’s a stunning shot into the bottom left off the post…………just like watching brazil!!!!!!…..2.nillllllllll..get innnnnn.
And that was just one instance where it had an end product, other times we was trying it but not getting any luck at the end, Ethan was doing it all game, which rightly earned him the Man of the Match.
After some rotational changes, and the boys once again being disorientated, Heyside began to put us under some pressure, which lead to a point blank effort for Sam to deal with, and he dealt with it by way of a magnificent save down low, showing tremendous courage and great reactions. Cole made some great one on one tackles when covering at the back, Ben showed a great maturity in keeping to his own position and tracking he’s marker back when they broke free. Craig came on late, but had some good touches of the ball and tried to find space when he could. Jaden was made captain and he did not disappoint, he lead by example a bit unlucky to come off but he had run his little socks off.
Final whistle…..2-0.…Ten games in and the boys will do very well to achieve anything near in the next ten. 8 wins,1 draw, 1 defeat………Fingers crossed……well done boys!
Another fine performance by players and parents alike, Good Luck to Heyside for the future and i will see everyone at training thursday.
SM....GL
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