MALPAS 4 - 1 ROCKETS
We rounded off the cup games with one of our best performances as the boys again took the training session into the match and we tried to get the ball down and play.
For large periods of the game we were the better team and at 1-1, after Bailey had equalised, we were going into half-time all square....until Malpas scored with a speculative shot which bounced through our defence before being flicked into the net.
In the second quarter we had played some brilliant football including one move which involved every player - from Hugo, through the defence and midfield, before George's cross to Rory who brought a good save from the goalie. It would have been goal of the season and the move drew applause from both sets of parents and coaches.
At 2-1 the next goal was always going to be important. Unfortunately Malpas scored another two with similar goals where their midfielders shot waywardly from miles out only for the ball to fall both times to their striker.
We have told the boys, and we will keep repeating this mantra, that at this stage of the development we've got to be confident in playing the ball out from the back and today we looked like we belonged in the top division. This progression was always going to mean we give the odd goal away until we can find the balance of how we defended and organised versus our Jets and how we played football today.
Of the 10 games in the cup we only really got taken apart 3 times (Upton x 2 and Newscene at home). Highlights are obviously our 4-0 win against Newscene, our draw against Jets and how we played the last two weeks.
The boys also showed a great togetherness today as the game got a bit lively with a dive that Tom Daley would have been proud of, a couple of mis-timed Waverton tackles and the ref abandoning the game after I asked for a routine foul for tackle from behind. It was disappointing for them to throw every toy out the pram at 4-1 up, but overall it was an otherwise entertaining game.
MOTM went to Bailey who has shown he can lead the team and set the example.
Well done boys.
Saturday 24 March 2018
Monday 19 March 2018
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 9 - SAT 17 MARCH
ROCKETS 1 - 4 NEWTON
After a really good training session where we worked on first touch, pass and move and then painstakingly on defence to midfield we could see that our defenders all tried to pass and more importantly our midfielders were dropping off, moving and showing.
Some of our football this morning was superb and we scored a goal which came from Hugo and through the thirds before a killer ball to George who slotted home - that against a very good Newton side. We could have had other similar goals and whilst the score-line is emphatic the game was good to watch and we were not camped in our half.
Having gone 0-1 down we had our usual second quarter wobble to go into half-time at 0-3. That said, we talked about the next goal, got our heads back up and we got back into it from George.
The final 25 minutes of play ended 1-1 and we played some lovely stuff with a calmness and confidence sweeping though the team.
Speaking for myself, I've been worried if our Cup run would have a positive or negative effect on the rest of the season but if we can play like we did today then we have got a lot to look forward to when we get back to the league and tournaments. If we can match patient, calm build up play to our dynamism and speed from the early season we will be really good and should be able to control games more easily and see out tough moments.
We've one more Cup match to go against a Malpas team who will give us half a chance so hopefully we can play with the same belief and passing. We have told all the boys that we don't mind if we make mistakes or concede but we have to play football - the days of us punting it long ball into an oncoming midfield or running head down into trouble have to be put to bed.
Well done boys. Great performance.
MOTM went to Alex who like all the players took the training session into the match.
After a really good training session where we worked on first touch, pass and move and then painstakingly on defence to midfield we could see that our defenders all tried to pass and more importantly our midfielders were dropping off, moving and showing.
Some of our football this morning was superb and we scored a goal which came from Hugo and through the thirds before a killer ball to George who slotted home - that against a very good Newton side. We could have had other similar goals and whilst the score-line is emphatic the game was good to watch and we were not camped in our half.
Having gone 0-1 down we had our usual second quarter wobble to go into half-time at 0-3. That said, we talked about the next goal, got our heads back up and we got back into it from George.
The final 25 minutes of play ended 1-1 and we played some lovely stuff with a calmness and confidence sweeping though the team.
Speaking for myself, I've been worried if our Cup run would have a positive or negative effect on the rest of the season but if we can play like we did today then we have got a lot to look forward to when we get back to the league and tournaments. If we can match patient, calm build up play to our dynamism and speed from the early season we will be really good and should be able to control games more easily and see out tough moments.
We've one more Cup match to go against a Malpas team who will give us half a chance so hopefully we can play with the same belief and passing. We have told all the boys that we don't mind if we make mistakes or concede but we have to play football - the days of us punting it long ball into an oncoming midfield or running head down into trouble have to be put to bed.
Well done boys. Great performance.
MOTM went to Alex who like all the players took the training session into the match.
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 8 - SAT 10 MARCH
ROCKETS 0 - 7 UPTON
It was a tough day at the office as after a solid start we conceded 5 goals in 5 minutes in the second quarter.
Positives came when the boys started to pass the ball and we played well in the final two quarters.
MOTM went to Charlie.
It was a tough day at the office as after a solid start we conceded 5 goals in 5 minutes in the second quarter.
Positives came when the boys started to pass the ball and we played well in the final two quarters.
MOTM went to Charlie.
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