At a packed Tower Hill stadium at least 25 parents saw a good match of football from our point of view.
Tower Hill was always going to be a difficult game BUT we started from the whistle for a change, closing them down and not allowing them to play and breaking up their passing.
At 1 minute Louie got the ball in midfield and put a high through ball down the middle which Harry latched on to at great speed and skillfully lobbed the keeper, I have seen lots of those missed. 1-0 Cumnor Giants.
After 10 minutes they were level after their no8 a very quick and skilfull player originated an attack (in fact he probably initiated all thier attacks and finished some). From the edge of the box at 15 minutes Adam got close to saving but just tipped it over his own head for their second. HT 2-1. We matched them throughout the 1st Half and the only difference was thier No8. At half time Tower Hill players were saying they were being harry'd on the ball (I do mean Harry and others) and chopped and closed down and they were not happy. When I did say Harry I particularly remember when a player went by him and Harry did a cynical chop from behind that could have been given a yellow card. The Tower Hill manager said his team had not played well but I feel this was probably because of the pressure we had applied.
Second half and Tower Hill started being harder themseleves and doing little things like moving the ball forward at free kicks when the ref had his back turned, which was very interesting at this age. At 36 mins they scored a good third goal but we still managed to keep our shape and work rate.
At 47 Harry had a free kick from the edge of the box to the right side and performed an excellent inswinger on his left PEG to score. 3-2 and game on. After this the game was forward and back and Tower Hill had a couple of good chances but Louie got his foot to a ball at the edge of the penalty area and had a good shot that just missed the top corner and Tower Hill looked rattled and a bit out of sorts, it could easily have been 3-3. Harry did get involved in a bit of Argy Bargy with the referee which we managed to stifle before the referee reached for his RED card.
From this Tower Hill became the stronger side and gradually moved forward more consistantly and missed a couple of shots and we tired leaving huge space between the midfield and defense loosing our shape after about 52 minutes. They were rewarded for their endeavour and scored twice for 5-2 with goals at 57 and 59 minutes.
A very good performance from what sounds like Harry 'man of the match' and Louie BUT their was far more to this. All get a mention;- Adam strong hands (most of the time), Matthew and Cam excellent at left and right back. Grant sweeping as always and wanting to play further forward (He has my sympathy), Elliott looking better every game and more settled and will use his size in time to good effect. George M played a great role breaking down their attacks and getting forward, I think he covered more ground than he ever has, Midfielders, Flynn great running and defensive tracking, Gareth played his best game for us and is starting to fit in well, Mehmet was good on the ball and at times closed and tracked and I know will get their (if moaned at enough). Wills did not get the breaks on the ball but closed and tackled in midfield, needs a bit more match practice with the team and could potentially achieve anything, Mason came on late on and had his best performance putting himself aboout and closing players down. George D was unwell but came on for 5 mins at the end when the 2 goals were scored, not that Im blaming him - well done.
Overall a good performance doing what we have been trying to get them to do. The Tower Hill coach said we were a decent side and that was coming from a very competitive good team. We are not saying its a one man team but where would they be without their no8. We will get closer to them over the course of the season and we expect they will be challengers for the double again this year. Well down Tower Hill a good test for us and good luck to Peter and the gang, a very good side.
Mention to one of the linesman Ollie who has had two faultless games!
No comments:
Post a Comment