14 Nov 2010 - Shrivenham and Watchfield 'A' (H)

A game of two halves....

What a contrast from last week at the start. The team talk was around the need to close down, chase the ball when they had it, pass it around and not to be complacent after last week. Something went wrong in translation. We were very sluggish to start with. I wasn't until midway through the first half that we had our first passing move. On the few occasions in the first half where we did pass it, we came close to scoring.

I said to MJ after the match that I thought he could have saved their first goal, even though it was a well hit shot. However I said he more than made up for it with that superb multiple save later on in the first half. He was on the floor for most of it, but made some great blocks, and we managed to get it out for a corner.

The forwards were slow to get adjusted at first – maybe this is because we rotate the team and partnerships take time to form. We looked like we had 3 individuals up there for most of the time.

Joe was new to the def mid role, and I thought he did a good job there. It's difficult to discipline yourself to stay back there, but he managed it most of the time.

Defence was perhaps a bit confused by the fact that S&W kept two players up even when they were defending a corner. Cade had an operation on Wednesday and when I saw him hurt, I was worried that he'd hurt himself where he'd had the op. It turned out that he took a shot in the arm and had a dead arm. I said I couldn't come to him until the ball went out. A S&W player then ran at him with the ball, and Cade crunched in to him. He then got up and kicked the ball off. I said that was great defending, and he said he was just doing it to get the ball out. I've asked him to “just get the ball out” every week now.

Ryan and Luke then came on, and even then we were still lethargic. Even the Rhino looked like he had just stepped out of hibernation.

So half time. We discussed the issues amongst us, and the lads could see how things were. They agreed on more passing and more closing down in the 2nd half. And I was very pleased after the break. They all looked like they did last weekend. They wanted the ball, and we had players running in to space. The passing was so much better, and the closing down had come back. I must apologise to Cade and Joe. I know both wanted to come back on, but I felt we were getting a rhythm going, and I didn't want to break that after we'd done so well to come back in to the match. Thought we still rotate the players, Ralph and I now need to start playing it like the big boys, so we will use subs tactically. Having said that, we will always get the subs on at some point. No point in kids turning up and not getting a go.

The second half was great. Back to Bassett at our best. Pugs didn't stop running. He was passing well, and always moving in to space. He let the line well and was unlucky not to score. Beefy was back to his best in the 2nd half and was rewarded with his 2nd goal. George was once again immense and I bet that right back will be having nightmares tonight – once he comes out of George's pocket where he was for the entire second half.

That was only half the story. The defenders and def mid were also firing on all cylinders. A well deserved goal from Ryan proved to be the winner. Great play too from Luke who doesn't like playing in defence, but did a great job alongside the ever-enthusiastic Archie. Then still time for Joe and Cade to come back on, and with Archie and MJ, they kept S&W out until the final whistle went.

Thanks also to Harrison and Ben for coming along to watch and support us today. It's great to see you making that extra effort on your Sunday off.

So a tough match against a well organised team today, but we made it hard-going in the first half. All credit to the lads for picking themselves up and sorting it out for the second half.

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