This week I think the report can be kept pretty short and sweet, and unfortunately not for any positive reasons.I think it is fair to say that for all players at this weeks game at Wortham that we simply just never turned up for the fixture and it was a hard working performance from Wortham which showed us up and meant that we only took a point from a game before hand we should have been expecting to win.
There were no individuals at fault and I certainly do not feel the need to point fingers, simply put collectively we were not good enough. We seemed to really lack tempo through out the match and never really got a good run of football or possession.
Our best play came after going 1-0 up in the first half, we had good chances but failed to find a second goal which in hindsight may have proved crucial in killing the game off early. I am of no doubt that all players will know that they are better and we as a team are better than what we did this weekend. However promotion still lies in our control and to have taken a point out of a very poor performance is the kind of form which sees teams finish the season at the top end of the table.
We all need to move on quickly from this weekend and instead look at our next three league games and be fully aware that we absolutely must win all three if we want to stay in the hunt for promotion. We can not dwell on a poor performance and be disheartened, we have got to come out fighting and treat every match as if the title depends on it.
We have Ram Meadow Reserves next week and all players should be fired up to make a mends for the Wortham result, so lets not turn up sulking but instead turn up determined and focused on making sure we get a convincing win. Line drawn and let us not speak of the Wortham game again.....onwards and upwards!!
Albus Plumbledore
Mentoring Peter Potter since 1997
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Elephant & Castle vs BBFC
After the news last week that Punch have dropped out of the league this season, it was vitally important that we went into a very tricky tie against Elephant & Castle and got a result. This surprising revelation has given us a real chance not only to win promotion but also potentially win the league title from under the noses of Wickhambrook. Let's not pass it up!
The pitch at Gt Barton was boggy and tough to play on so it was hard for either side to get their foot on the ball and play attractive football and it was from a series of corners that we opened the scoring after a short one-two and a good delivery from Carter that eventually went in off Phil's left testi.
The first half was often reduced to niggly fouls and hoofed clearances but it was testament to our desire to win the game that we won nearly all the 50-50 balls with the Wagers in the centre shielding our back four well and Graham and Baz winning everything in the air. Even a bizzare error from Batesy and Driver resulting in a dangerous freekick saw a real desire to charge the ball as Leighton took the brunt of the shot on his arse.
Shortly after though, E&C drew level against the run of play with a precise/flukey freekick but a firm drive from Rees from the edge of the area saw the Boy back in front. If the referee had seen a number of infringements in the box, or a blantent penalty when Leighton was clean through then the match might have been more comfortable by half time.
The second half saw much of the same scrappy play and full-blooded commitment as our defence repelled the E&C attacks without looking like conceding and looking dangerous on the break at the other end. Phil had been a real outlet all game when running at the back-four and it was from his play that Chris was able to pick the ball up from 25 yards and chip the keeper and covering defender for the game's best goal. Even though a reply from The Trunk saw our lead cut again, Phil managed to wriggle free of the defence to slot in his second and put the game to bed.
We knew this week that with the pitch and the type of game it was going to be won by the team who put in the most effort and wanted it most. It was not a game for pretty football, but one for getting a positive result. Job done.
This week we have to make sure we do not underestimate Wortham and go there with the same commitment in order to get the win - every game from now on is like a cup final (to use the cliche) so we don't want to be looking back come the end of the season and thinking "that's where we slipped up" or "could we have done more there". Up the Boy!
Charlie Neigh-ton
Containing up to 100% horsemeat since 1986
The pitch at Gt Barton was boggy and tough to play on so it was hard for either side to get their foot on the ball and play attractive football and it was from a series of corners that we opened the scoring after a short one-two and a good delivery from Carter that eventually went in off Phil's left testi.
The first half was often reduced to niggly fouls and hoofed clearances but it was testament to our desire to win the game that we won nearly all the 50-50 balls with the Wagers in the centre shielding our back four well and Graham and Baz winning everything in the air. Even a bizzare error from Batesy and Driver resulting in a dangerous freekick saw a real desire to charge the ball as Leighton took the brunt of the shot on his arse.
Shortly after though, E&C drew level against the run of play with a precise/flukey freekick but a firm drive from Rees from the edge of the area saw the Boy back in front. If the referee had seen a number of infringements in the box, or a blantent penalty when Leighton was clean through then the match might have been more comfortable by half time.
The second half saw much of the same scrappy play and full-blooded commitment as our defence repelled the E&C attacks without looking like conceding and looking dangerous on the break at the other end. Phil had been a real outlet all game when running at the back-four and it was from his play that Chris was able to pick the ball up from 25 yards and chip the keeper and covering defender for the game's best goal. Even though a reply from The Trunk saw our lead cut again, Phil managed to wriggle free of the defence to slot in his second and put the game to bed.
We knew this week that with the pitch and the type of game it was going to be won by the team who put in the most effort and wanted it most. It was not a game for pretty football, but one for getting a positive result. Job done.
This week we have to make sure we do not underestimate Wortham and go there with the same commitment in order to get the win - every game from now on is like a cup final (to use the cliche) so we don't want to be looking back come the end of the season and thinking "that's where we slipped up" or "could we have done more there". Up the Boy!
Charlie Neigh-ton
Containing up to 100% horsemeat since 1986
Monday, 11 February 2013
BBFC vs Wickhambrook
Unfortunately again this week luck was not on our side as we lost 2-1 in a big game against Wickhambrook. This week was a very frustrating result and I am sure a lot of players feel likewise. The match was generally an open contest with neither side particularly having the majority of chances of possession. We started the game slow yet again and were made to pay for it very quickly. From a poor corner delivery two players failed to react, allowing the cross to hit a Wickhambrook player on the hip and the ball to carry over the line.
This should have been the wake up call to get things going but for some reason we really did not seem up for the match in the opening 20 minutes and this allowed Wickhambroom to find a second. Again a very routine free kick was headed in as a player was allowed to run on to the cross totally unchallenged. Set plays are the absolute basics of football and this week we did an awful job of dealing with them and it is ultimately those two incidents which cost us this match. There is no need for a finger pointing exercise but everyone does need to learn from this quickly as if we want to push for promotion we simply can not allow the opposition to score such simple goals with no challenge from our players. The remainder of the first half we started to up our performance, with Bates heading just over the bar and Rhino's well hit shot being scrambled clear following a save.
Second half I believe we played better and overall Wickhambrook only created a few chances and were kept relatively quiet. The main difference seemed to be that we started to work as a unit, the passing become more decisive and players were actively looking to take the game to Wickhambrook. It is through this effort that we rightfully got ourselves back in the game following a crap cross [superbly placed shot - Ed] by Charlie. We created several half chances following our goal, the best of which fell to debutant Ben Gathercole who lost his marker well before just dragging his shot wide of the far post. But it was not to be and unfortunately our failure to deal with two very simple set pieces early in the first half cost us this match.
Must gutting of all from the fixture is that Wickhambrook have been gifted a victory without being the better side. We have 7 matches remaining this season and we now need to pick up at least 6 wins if we are to guarantee a promotion spot. This season we have played some great football but the last two weeks we have not been at our best and have allowed the opposition too much time on the ball and not threatened the opposition’s goal.
Next week we face Elephant and Castle who are a real hit or miss team, on their day I think they are probably the strongest opposition we face. Last time we played them we again gifted a 2-0 lead and had to fight are way back to a 3-2 victory. This week lets make sure we grab the first goal and put E&C on the back foot from the off, we are easily capable of getting the promotion we want but everyone needs to be ready to give 100% from start to finish. Lets hope we have seen the back end of a little blip in our season and we can get back in the promotion hunt with a big win on Saturday.
Hugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble & Plummer
Fighting Trumpton's fires since 1967
This should have been the wake up call to get things going but for some reason we really did not seem up for the match in the opening 20 minutes and this allowed Wickhambroom to find a second. Again a very routine free kick was headed in as a player was allowed to run on to the cross totally unchallenged. Set plays are the absolute basics of football and this week we did an awful job of dealing with them and it is ultimately those two incidents which cost us this match. There is no need for a finger pointing exercise but everyone does need to learn from this quickly as if we want to push for promotion we simply can not allow the opposition to score such simple goals with no challenge from our players. The remainder of the first half we started to up our performance, with Bates heading just over the bar and Rhino's well hit shot being scrambled clear following a save.
Second half I believe we played better and overall Wickhambrook only created a few chances and were kept relatively quiet. The main difference seemed to be that we started to work as a unit, the passing become more decisive and players were actively looking to take the game to Wickhambrook. It is through this effort that we rightfully got ourselves back in the game following a crap cross [superbly placed shot - Ed] by Charlie. We created several half chances following our goal, the best of which fell to debutant Ben Gathercole who lost his marker well before just dragging his shot wide of the far post. But it was not to be and unfortunately our failure to deal with two very simple set pieces early in the first half cost us this match.
Must gutting of all from the fixture is that Wickhambrook have been gifted a victory without being the better side. We have 7 matches remaining this season and we now need to pick up at least 6 wins if we are to guarantee a promotion spot. This season we have played some great football but the last two weeks we have not been at our best and have allowed the opposition too much time on the ball and not threatened the opposition’s goal.
Next week we face Elephant and Castle who are a real hit or miss team, on their day I think they are probably the strongest opposition we face. Last time we played them we again gifted a 2-0 lead and had to fight are way back to a 3-2 victory. This week lets make sure we grab the first goal and put E&C on the back foot from the off, we are easily capable of getting the promotion we want but everyone needs to be ready to give 100% from start to finish. Lets hope we have seen the back end of a little blip in our season and we can get back in the promotion hunt with a big win on Saturday.
Hugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble & Plummer
Fighting Trumpton's fires since 1967
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)