Before I get into the match I need to quickly talk about our
training on Friday nights (and what will be supplemented shortly by a mid-week
session). Over the last 3-4 weeks, at times, some of the boys have been a bit
disruptive to the overall session. Believe me, I fully appreciate that they are
7 and 8, but a lot of time goes into planning these sessions by me each week.
Contrary to some beliefs held; myself, Darren and Tom don't get paid to do
this; we give up our time for free because we want to help the boys learn and
increase skills, play sports, etc. and in addition I know and acknowledge the
collective distances travelled by all the parents in order to get the boys to
the sessions to train and learn.
However, increasingly some boys are using the session as a
catch up conversation opportunity, or to completely disregard what we are
trying to do and instead belt the ball around the area as they see fit. This is
extremely frustrating as it impacts those boys (the majority) who turn up to
train and to increase their skills. It needs to change. So, from now on, if I
deem anyone is messing about and disrupting the training to an unacceptable
level (they will be warned) then they will be dropped from the match squad
(including if they are due to play the next day) and will only be let back in
when and if their attitude changes. It may seem hard, but we don't have many
games left and each one is now vital as it will shape my thoughts on how the
team will look and go forward next season. If I see this behaviour, I will let
you know after the impacted session and explain why.
Anyway back to the game today - it was yet another match
where we were in control for the majority, but let our heads drop momentarily
which the opposition jumped on and punished us for. We have to learn to keep
our focus irrespective of what goes on around us during and in matches. We
played at a new location for us, and unfortunately back on astro which was due
to the recent weather conditions; however I'm certainly not using that as an
excuse as it was the same for both sides.
Q1 began and we went at Princes Villa (PV) from the off - we
literally swarmed over them and it was very high tempo with some good solid
skills on show, Jack Binns opened the scoring from a great strike from the
left, which was followed by a great headed goal by Casper. Continued pressure
on PV from some good set pieces by us meant that on one occasion they put the
ball into their own net to increase our lead again. Towards the end of the
quarter, PV did a blatant hand ball, but it wasn't picked up by the ref and the
resultant continued play ended with PV scoring a fortuitous goal to end Q1:
Arrows 3 - PV 1.
Q2, with a change around in many positions, we again started
brightly, but we unfortunately lost our collective concentration at one point
and it meant that PV clawed another goal back. From the KO PV started to build
out their possession and started to put us under pressure. Many balls were
pumped forward by them into our end third and we started to get into a horrible
habit of, if we saw that the ball was clearly heading out for a throw or a goal
kick for us, we helped it on its way with a slight touch - this then obviously
turned it into a throw in or corner kick to PV (!) which on one such occasion,
PV (with a brand new way of taking a corner of literally flicking it up into
the air rather than kicking it properly) put it into our net to bring them
level. Luckily from our kick off, Oli Wrigley, playing in a different role as
left wing back for most of the quarter, buried it to show that he has clear skills
across either flank. End Q2: Arrows 4 - PV3.
We regained our composure substantially in Q3 and it was a
real end to end battle, the only difference was a bit of continued pressure on
us by PV, causing them to score a bobble of a goal, equalling the game at the
end of Q3: Arrows 4 - PV 4.
Q4 started off tentatively by both sides, both knowing the
game was up for grabs, but neither initially wanting to go for it. We started
to make a few breaks, but the tackling by our opposition was starting to get much
more robust, whilst in comparison, our boys are honestly just too polite when
it comes to trying to win the ball (we certainly need to change that and get
the right balance as we enter the final strait of the season, setting ourselves
up for next year) - a few fouls by PV on us went unnoticed and our heads
dropped for a period of about 4-5 minutes - PV really pounced on the
opportunity and a couple of quick goals went in. Jack Binns tried to stir the
group by scoring another great goal, bringing his tally for the match to two -
Jack Binns is certainly finding his scoring boots out on that left wing. It
looked as though we were going to get back into it as we started to play like
we did in Q1 but despite our efforts the ball would not cross the line - it was
so frustrating and I'm sure I embarrassed myself numerous times by hopping up
and down on the touchline when the balls were just millimetres wide (or off the
post on more than one occasion). After a blatant push on Jack Broadhurst again
went without penalty, the PV boys took the ball right down the pitch and
slotted it home - it was a real blow to me as it should just not of stood.
Another quick goal in the dying minutes by PV took the scoreline and the end of
the match to a fully not representative: Arrows 5 - PV 8.
I talked after the match that this is now all about
'tweaks', both to tactics, training and ultimately the squad. We need to ensure
that a change 'here' doesn't undo something 'there' so as always an interesting
and thought provoking week for me lies ahead.
As Henry wasn't available for selection today, I selected
two captains; Jack Binns for the first half and Jack Broadhurst for the second
- they both did me and the team proud; well done boys. As for Man of the Match
today, this went to Oliver Golding as he played in a slightly advance position
for me today - more of a DM rather than a normal D. He played it superbly and
was very, very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself on more than one
occasion. Well done Oliver and I look forward to seeing you as my Captain next
week against Newton - email to follow as the game as already been confirmed.
Thanks all and enjoy the rest of your weekend - if this is
being read to your boys on Sunday lets hope that they've all been extra
thoughtful to their mums.... :-).
Cheers,
Carl
AFC Waverton U8 Arrows07896 515717
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