We
began an we were very much playing within ourselves, there seemed to be a chasm
between defence and attack and we just couldn't get on the ball. Blacon could
clearly see this and used it to their advantage, scoring 2 goals within a
matter of about 4 minutes. Our heads didn't drop though and the goals seemed to
focus our boys and we started to play football as I know we can. End Q1: Blacon 2 - Arrows 0.
Q2
commenced and we were starting to break forwards in spurts which looking back
was the start of things to come. Blacon were using their physical advantage in
terms of height to try to stamp their mark on the game (but in a good way if
that makes sense - NO PV behaviour here!), but we were dealing with it well.
However, a rare corner to Blacon saw the resultant ball go through two of our
boys straight to a Blacon player who tapped it home for a score of Q2: Blacon 3 - Arrows 0.
We
began Q3 with some changes to the team, but we went again. Every kick of the
ball that we had seemed to make us more confident, whilst at the same time
making Blacon more nervous - we were pushing the ball around really well now
and our play was fantastic. Our opening goal came from a great piece of play;
the build up was exceptional, splitting the Blacon defence and Jack Broadhurst
moved the ball out towards the far post which the Blacon GK followed, but then
Jack turned on the ball, set himself up quickly and hit an amazing goal (with
his left foot nonetheless!), leaving the Blacon GK clearly trying to understand
what had just happened. Jack took an injury shortly after and Sam Cheetham came
on and within seconds he was getting forwards, attacking the ball and going for
goal when possible; this was just a part of the team effort that I was seeing
from the touchline today and it made me feel very happy indeed. End Q3: Blacon 3 - Arrows 1.
Q4
started and despite the size of the pitch, how tired the boys were and the
rising temperature, we absolutely pummelled Blacon - we swarmed all over them -
they honestly looked rattled; their #3 AKA the 'Coach Driver' was twisted and
turned by Jack Binns so much that he ended up on the floor more often that not.
We were breaking with speed, composure and power now and it was amazing to
watch. A great move that involved a number of our players ended up with the
ball at Jack Binns feet and he slotted it home very well to take us to 3-2 with
5 minutes to go. We had so much possession in those last 5 minutes with shots
raining in from all angles - Blacon had panic on their faces and they were
throwing bodies everywhere to block balls and efforts on goal. Every time our
boys went forward on the break it was fantastic to hear all the parents really
getting involved and cheering the team on. We continued to push and had a
number of corners at the end which nearly gave us our equaliser but it wasn't
to be and we finished Blacon 3 - Arrows
2.
A
few things to note today - sorry for the last minute calls and text messages
this morning - Neil (the Blacon Manager) had sent the details to me on the
Friday night but my phone only received it at 8:30 on Saturday morning! Because
of the pitch change, Blacon cancelled most of their games today. They kept ours
because we were so competitive last time and Neil knew we would give them a
proper game, so proper in fact that they didn't want their 'A' squad to go
without playing so that's who we played today, rather than the team that is
actually in our league. Apart from the opening 5-6 minutes we matched them, and
by the end played much better than them which just shows again the fantastic
progression we are making.
Caspar was a fantastic
Captain today;
he made some tremendous 'photo quality' saves today and his distribution was
fantastic too (as was Oscar when he deputised in goal in the second quarter).
My Man of the Match today was to someone who has taken recent feedback well,
has played in positions I know he can play in (and played them really well today)
even though I know he wants to play elsewhere. His composure and sheer dogged
determination today was great to see - Sion
will be my Captain next week when we face Upton.
After
what has been a truly difficult week I have been very, very encouraged by what
happened today and the continuous support from everyone. Onwards we go!
One
final thing - as we walked off towards the end a few of the Blacon boys were
sat on a a telephone/power cabinet and they called out to me, Darren, Dawn, Tom
and a few boys that were with us what a great game it was and well played by
our team - now that is how
opponents should act!
See
you in the week,
Carl
AFC
Waverton U8 Arrows07896 515717
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