There are many perplexing mysteries in this world: how did they build the pyramids? What is Stonehenge?
Who was Jack the Ripper? And exactly how did H manage to survive without alcohol for over 6 months?
You can now add the result of this game to the list: how on
earth did we not come away with three points despite restricting our opponents
to one shot on target and having our strongest team out (sorry Jake and Foggy –
the Gaffa’s words, not mine)?
Like all good mysteries, there were plenty of theories
flying around after the game and in the pub.
The most popular one was that we persisted with a game plan despite it
being obvious that it wasn’t working. There
is a time and a place for the ball over the top, but when – time and time again
– the opposition sit deep and snuff out the danger we should have realised that
it was time to change the record.
Still, there is always next week (and now training as well)
to put things right, and there were an awful lot of positives to take from the
game. Firstly, Jimmy made his eagerly
awaited competitive debut, and it was clear that he is going to add a huge
amount of quality to the side. Not just
with his technical ability, but his determination to be involve in the play,
and desire to link up with the rest of the team and direct proceedings from the
front is surely going to both improve our team play and bring out the best in
the other members of the squad.
It has already been mentioned that the only shot the oppo
had on target was when they scored. This
wasn’t because they were wasteful in front of goal, but because the defensive
unit – marshalled by Chappers – did a superb job of keeping the Deportivo
attackers quiet. Andrew also played the
ball out from the back with confidence and accuracy throughout the game.
Losing Rob in the warm-up was a blow, but he must have
admired the way Blakey slotted into his boots.
In fact, assuming Rob has shrunk by a foot and a half in the last twenty
years, Blakey’s performance must have reminded Rob of a younger version of
himself, as the young apprentice won every header and even found himself on the
edge of the opposition penalty area on more than one occasion.
We’ve also mentioned the strength of the squad, and it was
great that Sharpy could leave his boots at home with two quality substitutes
(even after Rob’s withdrawal) to call on.
Maybe one week soon we’ll have the full squad there, and can actually do
a team photo!
Despite the late withdrawal of Rob, Sharpy was still able to
assemble a team that looked (in theory) to be well balanced and full of goals.
Subs: Liam, Nick, Rob
The general pattern of play was set early in the first half
with an attempted killer pass or ball over the top being either cut out by Deportivo
– who to give credit, packed the midfield, and put our first touch under pressure
throughout the match. We would then win
the ball back, and it would all start again.
The one real threat Deportivo had was their tricky left winger, but
after a few rash challenges (I think Jake might call them “reducers”) Luke and
Chappers got to grips with him and generally frustrated him. It was probably this determined defending and
direct running in possession which earned Luke a well-deserved MoTM award.
Our best move of the game saw Jimmy play the ball into Dale,
who laid it off neatly to Ryan on the edge of the area. He then made room for a shot but couldn’t
keep the ball under the crossbar. The end
result may not have been what we wanted, but demonstrated the crisp, incisive
football we are capable of if we have the confidence to give it a go.
We just didn’t carve out enough clear cut chances, with the
sight of James P chasing a lost cause becoming all too familiar. However, he did give the keeper a few nervy
moments, but we are still left waiting to see him replicate his amazing forward
roll, throw the ball into the net move demonstrated at training. Jimmy also managed to get a shot away in the
area when he neatly turned two defenders in a crowded box, but there wasn’t
enough time or space for him to generate enough power to trouble the keeper.
The second half was a generally frustrating affair. Sharpy swapped Brian with Ryan, not only
because it rhymes, but also to give the young Kenyon the chance to attack on
the flanks where it was hoped there would be more room. This did prove to be the case, and Ryan had
one of our best chances when Jimmy played a superb through ball inside the full
back. However, the keeper came out well
to make the angle difficult for Ryan, and on his weaker side he could only
shoot wide.
Jimmy then came close to scoring himself from a free kick
which was goal-bound before the keeper intervened. The keeper came to the rescue again when Dale
was put through by Liam (on for Brian), as he came out quickly to close the
angle and make the save.
Sharpy also brought on another new addition, and Nick looked
like a handy player to have in the side, not least for the mammoth throw the
like of which we haven’t seen since Nathan left (Dale has done a fantastic job
but it’s got to be better to have him in the box if possible). Blakey got on the end of one of these throws,
but headed wide. H also created a headed
chance, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Amongst all this one way traffic, Deportivo dealt the killer
blow when they won possession on their right and attacked in numbers. A speculative cross was whipped in low from
midway in our half, and the ball found its way to their one unmarked player at
the back post: 0-1.
Nothing we tried could get us back into the game, but we
know we tried too much of what wasn’t working.
We didn’t deserve to lose, but at least we learned some important
lessons which I’m sure will lead to us improving if everyone sticks together
and makes every effort to be there every week.
DoTD was a tough one this week, which just goes to show that
we know we collectively got it wrong.
Blakey may have been in the running for losing his trainers and having
to sit in the pub in his boots. However,
he kept this quiet until after Chappers had volunteered himself (probably best
it happens like that) for some overzealous toe punts when a softer touch may
have put our front men through on go.
But then we know Chappers don’t do “soft”.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 18th October @ Home v Lakeside
Goal scoring chart
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