ROCKETS 2 - 3 PRINCES VILLA
A really encouraging performance against a strong 'A' side shows that our Rockets shouldn't fear any team in Chester. We are now competing at a high level and hopefully we can convert our efforts into results with the 'business end' of the season soon upon us.
We started the game with a formation designed to keep us in the game and to a great extent this worked, playing William just in front of the defence and then a block of 3 midfielders ahead of them. We didn't quite go for Mourinho's flat back 6!!!
In the first 20 minutes our tactic's worked brilliantly although it was hard to create chances. Unfortunately though we went 0-1 down as William was forced to push out to plug a gap in midfield and we were left exposed at the back.
At half time we switched to our normal 2-3-1 formation and while we had a few shaky moments, going 2-0 down, we were more of a threat going forward as we had an outlet in either Harry or Rory.
After we had settled down to the new formation we got back in the game as Rory controlled a cross-field ball and found the bottom corner with a great finish.
At this stage we looked like we could catch them on the break and were very unlucky not to draw level as Harry broke clear, only for the ball to bobble as he was about to score.
Soon after we were unfortunate to go 1-3 down as from a good Villa move Hugo pulled off a save only for the ball to fall to a Villa player who couldn't miss.
With 10 minutes to go we entered the period we always play our best football and the pressure was resulting in Villa giving away plenty of corners and free-kicks. Harry stepped up to bend one into the bottom corner. 2-3 with a couple of minutes to go.
The boys couldn't quite get us level and although we are disappointed the performance was pleasing. MOTM went to William who's position was always spot on, he won his individual battles and kept us organised. A sign we could have a centre half amongst us!!
Next week we play a friendly against Ellesmere Port (2-2 earlier this season) and Paul and I are keen to let the boys play with complete freedom and to make their own decisions. We've done lots of recent work on passing in the hope we can find a balance between attacking runs and team play - we know that some boys are adapting to this but as pitches get bigger its important.
From what we've seen in training and today I'm certain we are close to finding a performance beyond which we've seen so far....
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