Match Report - 30th March 2008

Just as well we have a big squad as the Bs went into this game with seven players unavailable. Up against Lyndhurst, who are fifth in Division 2, this was going to be a real test for the team but, despite losing 0-3, they came out of it really well. To put the Bs performance into context, Lyndhurst have won their last four matches 4-1, 5-0, 4-2 and 5-2. The Bs have now played against two teams from Division 2 this season, league leaders FC Roundwood and Lyndhurst, and have not been embarrassed or outplayed in either.

With only twelve players to choose from this was going to be a stretch but the team responded superbly. Thomas, one of the squad’s most versatile players, took on the left back role and did very well. Thomas’s attitude is excellent, playing whatever position he is asked to without complaint or question for the benefit of the team and this season he has played in every defensive position. Alongside him in the back four, Luis, Russ and Joe played their normal solid games and none looked out of place against the Lyndhurst attack. Francis took the holding role in midfield and for the second game in a row was man of the match. He tackled, headed, passed and supported really well and ran himself into the ground by the end.

Unexpectedly, the Bs started as much the better the team and pinned Lyndhurst back in their half. The movement and passing between Sid, George, Francis, Jordan, Conor and Fed was impressive and they won a series of corners. From one of these George picked out Russ whose header just missed the far post. But Lyndhurst made a substitution in the opening quarter hour and the player they brought on made a big difference to their play. He was strong and drifted around the midfield making it hard for Francis and Sid to keep track of him.

Lyndhurst sprung an attack down the right which ended with a shot across goal but then they scored with their first shot on target. They seized the ball in midfield and fed it to an attacker who got behind Russ and he controlled the ball well before slotting it into the corner. Having had the bulk of the play it was a sickener for the Bs but they kept pressing and passing the ball well. Conor had a great break but the defender shrugged him off the ball and George, who gave every ounce of energy, was clattered to the ground in the area as he challenged for a through ball. Later Francis had a shot that went close and Lyndhurst had a goal ruled out for offside.

The pitch didn’t help either team. With poor drainage, two of the corners were submerged and the central area for the entire length of the pitch was so boggy it was energy sapping and stopped proper, decent football. Part of the Bs problem was that they didn’t use the playable, wide areas sufficiently.

Timing is so important in football and Lyndhurst timed their second goal perfectly scoring just before half time. It was another sickener as it was an unnecessary goal to concede. The Bs allowed one of Lyndhurst’s players to ride several challenges and then allowed their striker time to set himself up and place the ball high over Stephen’s outstretched arms. The striker should have been closed down and his shot blocked and the Bs paid for this. In the half time break the players were down, not because they had been outplayed, but because they felt they had done enough to deserve more from the game and that showed great credit.

Lyndhurst then scored again in the opening minutes of the second half from an attack down the left and the Bs might then have wilted. But they didn’t, they kept working and never let Lyndhurst get out of sight. Sid switched from midfield to his normal role upfront while Fed and Conor dropped back into midfield. Sid had a great opportunity taking the ball round the keeper but he poked the ball goalwards and it was cleared off the line. At the other end Lyndhurst hit the crossbar.

One of the key areas that made it hard for the Bs was there was too little anticipation and movement from the midfield and strikers. George often found himself with the ball at his feet and no-one making a run for him to aim at. With just one sub available the players also ran out of energy as the game progressed. Nick came on for Jordan, Fed took over on the wing and Nick played in the centre of midfield. Later Jordan came back on as Sid ran out of energy. Fed also had a good chance near the end but his shot was saved and Nick also had a header that went wide.

At the end Lyndhurst were worthy winners but they hadn’t dominated or found it easy and the Bs came off with a lot of pride in their performance. Francis deserved his man of the match award for a very impressive display in midfield.