Nov
26
Weather: Fine & Dry Coaches: Chris/Alec & Martin
XI: Jordan, Charlie, Callum, Nathan, Harry, Nibs, Joe, Taric, Louis, Will, Matthew
Subs: Max, Ben W
Blandford kindly arranged this fixture for the Saturday so we could get enough players together – much appreciated.
We were right up for this one as we have nothing to loose yet Blandford have the team and the attitude to challenge for the title – we are also the team that others `expect` to beat – so game on!
We know that Blandford have a star in the number 9 – so our game plan was to have the settled back four of Harry, Nath, Callum & Charlie and use Nibs as the pocket rocket to man mark Aaron. Lucky we do the card check as I noticed that he had cunningly changed into a number 16 shirt……clever!!!
Yet again we feel more solid with Jordan in goal – he controls the box so well – and on a smaller pitch than ours – this is crucial for any balls through from Blandford. We are also solid with Joe and Taric side by side in the centre of the park – such a strong pair physically and on the ball. With Louis out on the right and Matthew and Will terrorising the Blandford defence – a strong set up from front to back. Just a pity that we had BenT, Thomas and Piers missing in action.
We started well with some good KISS going down. We just delayed a little on the through ball at times and not quite quick enough to the first ball. We did have the majority of the play though and were putting the Blandford goal under threat – but again just not getting a clear strike at goal sadly. Special mention to Louis who stepped in for Ben T on delivery duty – one after the other of pure class onto the penalty spot – but we just couldn`t get the right head on it.
Lots of desire, lots of effort – and Nibs sticking to his task really well.
Then IT happened……we didn`t challenge the ball quickly enough and a shot (?) was taken and looped up over Jordan and into the back of the net. 1-0
Heads didn`t go down – the team rallied together – each playing their part in trying to look after the ball. Then IT happened again….against the run of play Charlie was bringing the ball out lovely, but a hefty touch sent the ball to one of their players – despite his running back and despite Nibs trying to keep with his marker – they slot a 2nd past Jordan – 2-0
Now….the Holt supporters will know that in games past this would spell the end of the good humoured coaching as an avalanche of goals would come against us – BUT NOT NOW!! With quality in the team and the glimpse of belief – we pushed – with Louis, Joe, Taric, Will & Matt doing what they do best – despite a couple of off-sides that you would need Sky Sports white line gizzmo to clarify – we kept going and a reward came.
Good work down the left with a ball fed through to the ever alert Matt – who took control and set the ball back to Joe`s right foot (phew!?) and a shot slammed home via the back of the Blandford player`s back! 2-1
Blandford are a team that expect to win such games and so this rattled their cage – a soft free kick was conceded on the edge of the area and memories of Merley Beckham came flooding back…..so I shut my eyes……and opened them just in time to see Jordan leap like a salmon and tip the effort over the bar!! What a star. Now he`s on £20 a week!
We keep pushing with Joe and Taric taking knocks and chips in the centre – but eventually we were given a free kick – up steps Joe – takes his time – breathe…….and then hits the post! AAArRRRGGGGHHH.
Somehow – Blandford bustle through the defence and slot home another that Jordan could do nothing about – 3-1
Matt and Will keep working hard together – until again we have a free-kick – the scene is set – up steps Joe – takes his time – breathe….and then hits the bar!!! AAAArRRGGGGGGHHH
What I like is when you hear the team console players – not knock them – we are a team and we pulled together.
SO – we make a couple of changes – with Max on for Nibs and Ben on for Charlie – with Will dropping into left back. Welcome Ben to his debut proper for Holt – his role is to get the ball down and use his skill of finding a pass for Matt to run onto.
Half time comes and the chat is about keeping doing the basics – we have every chance in this game to win the second half. Jordan also kindly stayed in goal – quality lad.
An even start to this half with Nathan making some superb challenges throughout the game and Callum having yet another good game alongside – this could be a winning duo; the Ant and Dec of our footballing jungle. Special mention to Harry too – although positionally he was out a few times and could have been exposed he did everything possible to get to the ball and intercept. A few more coaching sessions and I think we will be ready with this.
We win the ball and push forward – the ball bounces on the 6 yard box – you aren`t going to believe this as it is youth football – but Matt sets himself to pull off an overhead kick – he looks once at where the keeper is, then the defender and then leaps with foot outstretched – and BOOM – there it is – back of the net! Ace, Skill, Bravo! 3-2
In fairness we were looking good – but Louis pulled up lame after a challenge – so Charlie got his chance to spread his wings on the right side of midfield – go Charlie – GO! He sweeps forward and puts his foot through the ball and scores a beauty! 3-3
It was about now that Alec was blinking with a tear in his eye – I love it when a big man gets emotional about our boys coming of age, the fact the hours he puts in on the training ground was coming good for the whole team – brings a tear to my eye too! However, turns out in the goal celebration one of his contacts had popped out…..ah.
Gaps were opening up between midfield and defence – we werent pushing up far enough or the midfield of Taric and Joe getting back into position – and again we were punished for this – they scored by a through ball which was smartly slotted away in the corner – 4-3
We demanded more of the midfield – find some composure – use Will and his ability to bust forward and take the game – but to do this Joe had to raise his game to the level where he carrys the ball far more and rides the challenges – he did this time and time again and put balls into key areas.
Max was still man marking like a rabid dog – it was working!
Warning signs were there – with Will making a last ditch strong tackle at the back – but then it happened – they had a shot from nowhere – and they scored – pity – 5-3
We keep pushing etc. etc. – but eventually we were given a free kick etc. etc. – up steps Joe – takes his time – breathe etc. etc……..and then hits it straight into the keepers hands! AAArRRRGGGGHHH.
The ball breaks out from their defence and comes to Taric – he takes a first touch of quality – then BOOM – what a shot – keeper has no chance – take a bow Taric! 5-4
Could we get the draw we deserve through our play???Could we??? How long ref? 3 minutes…..right…..that`s enough time to boil and egg, or fight for a draw!!!
We push and push with Nibs back on the field and Louis back on up front – yes with 3 minutes we can do this…..
Then that was it – I hadn`t even got my egg out of the box and onto the spoon and anywhere near the water!!
It could just be that time flies when you are having fun – and we were having fun – you could see it on the boys faces. Alec couldn`t sadly as he was still blurred and feeling around the grass…..
Final score 5-4
Parents MOM – Will
Coaches Gold Star – Joe
