Sunday 11th April 2010 - Swindon Rangers 'B' (H)

Well, Another cracking performance from the lads. We were strong all over the park, and were it not for the great saves by their 2nd 'keeper, we could have had a few more.

Reading the match report of SR again shows that winning is everything to them. Different people have different priorities, but give them their due – they have won the league fair and square, and have only been defeated three times in the league. Their match report however once again seems a bit disingenuous again. This time it's blaming the pitch as it was too hard and small (maybe our side was larger and softer?), it's apparently on a slope too (not that I've noticed), and also the ref didn't allow them enough time to get another goal – They needed more Fergie time to be added. Their lads were also playing in concrete boots apparently. Also they didn't have enough time to warm up (though we apparently did). All in a similar vein to when we beat them last time. No credit given to us, but none expected. Shame because they are a good team, but there it goes – different priorities.

This was out second last match of the season, and once again, it was all positive encouragement from the parents (of Bassett!). It's been great this season, whatever has happened on the pitch, the lads have never come under fire from any one, and have always reacted to any mistakes in a positive and mature manner. Last season it was probably a bit too much of the big stick, this season it's been the carrot, and the lads have enjoyed themselves a lot more. That's what it's all about at this age – enjoyment and development.

So we were without Matt Cat as he was away. Cade was due to replace him, but a pulled tummy muscle meant he was rested and Harry was in the team.

We made a difficult decision a couple of weeks ago in training, we decided to do some work on the lads being more physical. We were wary of doing this, as we don't want to see them pushing and pulling in a match – that'll unfortunately happen when they're older. We did the work and stressed what was within the rules, and what was not. Right from the off, it showed that the training had paid dividends, with the team pressing for the ball, and allowing the SR players little time to play the ball.

Unlike last week, we were really strong in attack and midfield. Hadley was like a boy possessed, and was throwing his 2 and a half stone about like nobody's business. With George along side, and getting stuck in, we had a good base to launch our attacks.

Up front Harry and Cameron teamed up as well as usual. Cameron dropping back to pick up the ball, and feed Harry. Harry was also giving the defence no time on the ball at all, and won a lot of throw ins from his pressuring.

At the back, Ryan filled in as well as we know he can – good and strong. Archie was also in fine form and was over the forwards like a rash at times, giving them no time to turn and attack.

MJ was little used in goal for the first half, as the outfield players kept the ball away. But when called upon in the second half, pulled off a couple of top class saves – especially the one-handed dive to his right.

The first goal was a typical Harry goal (his 16th in his first ever season). The ball was bouncing around. He waited for it to drop and volleyed it sweetly in to the top corner. Harry then went on to score number 17. He was unlucky with a chested effort that just went the wrong side of the post.

Their 2nd keeper pulled off some great and brave saves too, denying us on a number of occasions.

I thought it was a great match overall. Both teams playing well, and in my opinion, we deserved the win. SR are a very good passing side, and at times, they certainly caused us problems. We did a great job of holding them out though, and were only 30 seconds from a clean sheet.

Thanks once again for the great support – it really does help the lads.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:39