Match Report - 10th February 2008

This friendly match gave the Bs the opportunity to experiment. For the first time the team played an 80 minute match, which they will switch to from next season. They tried out a 3-5-2 formation and, with Sid rested, tested some new options up front. The pitch, which was very soft and heavy, made it hard for both teams to play good football. The Bs persisted in trying to keep possession and use their passing and movement effectively. As the game went on they got stronger and stronger and may well have added to the two goals they scored.

Stephen, in goal for the Bs, did well to maintain his focus and concentration as he was hardly tested at all. That was largely due to the excellent performance from the Bs back three. Joe, who improves each time he plays, was totally assured, reading the game well, timing his tackles and using the ball with real precision. Josh was very sound and gained confidence as the game progressed producing a great second half performance where he won all his tackles and used the ball well. Between them Russ played his normal solid game allowing no-one to get past him. In the latter part of the game he switched to midfield and fitted in with ease.

The U15Cs started the game the better and pressed the Bs back. They were unable to threaten but the Bs found it hard early on to link up with the front two allowing the U15Cs to regroup and attack. Oliver was playing his first match of the season and, unsurprisingly, found it hard to get used to the pace of the game and linking up with the movement of his team mates. Much of the Bs play was built down the left early on with George working really hard combining with Josh. There weren’t many clear cut chances from either team but the Bs had the better opportunities. George had a shot that went close and Russ had a free kick saved.

Thomas picked up from last week’s man of the match display with another excellent, disciplined and reliable performance. He sat in front of the back three tidying up with good tackles and he continued to improve his passing. Luis had a much freer role than usual but his game wasn’t helped by the heavy conditions. He was unable to get the chance to add to his recent goal tally. Francis had a snapshot that went over the bar and from a corner Oliver had a half chance that disappeared as he readied himself to shoot. Later he had a run on goal and a shot that was well saved.

At half time with the game level at 0-0, the Bs brought Jay into the game in place of Jordan Wright. Jay took over Thomas’s holding role and Luis switched to the right wing. Nicholas also came on up front in place of Conor. Very little had got past Jay all season and with him and the defence so solid, the U15Cs barely threatened the Bs goal this half. Shortly afterwards Jordan Coleman came on in place of Francis. Jordan played on the right and Luis switched back inside.

The Bs started to create more opportunities but repeatedly got caught offside. Jordan had one of his most impressive displays using the ball very effectively to provide attacking chances. In the 51st minute he sent Nick off down the right. He took the ball down to the right corner beat his defender, cut in, dribbled the ball into the box, squared it to Luis who warded off two challenges and slotted it home. Five goals in as many games for Luis has taken him to joint second highest scorer with Brett.

Luis was involved with the second goal in the 58th minute. This time it was he who set it up sending the ball across from the right. The keeper fumbled the ball and Oliver was on hand to score from close range. Nick then switched back to midfield, Luis came off and Conor returned up front. Conor then produced his most effective display of the season. Having found goals easy to come by for the past two years, this season has been much more of a test for Conor with far fewer chances coming his way. But he made himself available and involved, linked up well and went very close with two good opportunities. One showed great strength, skill and persistence and his curling shot crept only fractionally wide.

The Bs made a further change with Nick struggling with his injured knee so Francis came back on. Francis looked more effective this half and the Bs midfield worked well together. In the last ten minutes the Bs switched Thomas into the back three allowing Russ to join the midfield. Jordan Wright returned on the left in place of Oliver and George went up front.

The match ended 2-0 to the Bs. The reaction from the players was that it was a hard match which they had done well to win. There were good performances from all over the pitch. Jordan Coleman came on as sub and was very effective both going forward and in his defensive duties and for that he took the man of the match award.