We came into this match on the back of two weeks we would like to forget in cup competitions but our league form had picked up and we were on a run of two straight wins in the league and with a good chance of making it three as we were playing a side that were bottom of the league. We started with the following side:
Squad
D.Hymers
O. Allman
A.Lindsey
T.Bowyer
L.Smith
M.Rice-Tucker
S.Lindsey
B.Leete
M.Wood (c)
A.Evans
B.Brooker
Subs:
L.Hattle(on for M.Rice-Tucker)
We spoke before the game about starting quickly and not giving Tenterden a chance to settle as if we gave them confidence they would be a hard team to break down as they battle well. We also spoke about the players owing the club a performance after the Hawkenbury and Oakwood games.
This seemed to get the players up for the game and they were saying all the right things before the game, but as the game started we didn’t. Our passing was poor, players all over the pitch were not working hard enough and for some even the basic elements of football were proving difficult. We have a fairly young side with a lot of pace but we don’t think as quickly as we run at times.
One of our main problems is jumping into tackles and committing ourselves when there is no need, the pace and strength we have we just have to stand players up and make them make a mistake. Another big worry is our chat around the park, we have two or three guys who seem to do the talking for everyone as anyone who has played football knows talking to one another on a football pitch is a big part of the game, all the players know each other so there is no reason why they don’t talk on the pitch because they talk enough off it.
The game started a little slowly on our part and the opposition were working hard and competing for every ball, we seemed to stop competing for the second ball so they were getting a lot of possession and the longer the game went without us scoring the more confident they became.
Dave after a howler against Hawkenbury looked very solid in goal and came for a few crosses which he took brilliantly but apart from that they didn’t really worry us it was our mistakes that were causing problems. They scored with a lucky goal after one of there players went to shoot and somehow the ball went backwards and fell to there centre forward who finished well with nothing Hymers could do.
When we played the ball on the deck and switched it we cut through them on a number of occasions, resulting in our best opportunity of the match so far with Ben Brooker missing from four yards, we got in behind a number of times but other players were not backing up the play and supporting the front two so we had limited options when in the final third, so our final ball had to be pin point as there was usually only 1 maybe 2 people in support.
The first half ended with us 1-0 down but still in the game and with a bit of fine tuning we could get back in the match. At half time we spoke about upping the work rate and making the ball do the work as they were starting to tire and with the pace we had in the side we could start to stretch them at the back. Ten minutes into the second half we made a change bringing on Luke Hattle for his debut for Matt Rice Tucker who had worked hard on the left.
We switched Ollie into midfield, this seemed to do the trick as we had plenty of possession and more chances to score but again they were wasted. As the game wore on we started passing the ball better, working harder and competing for every ball but it didn’t look like we were going to score (not through lack of chances just bad finishing) and it would take something very special for us to score, step forward Barry Leete with an early contender for goal of the season.
From a clearance by the Tenterden defence Steve Lindsey won a header 10 yards into the oppositions half the ball bounced up waist height and as it began to come down Barry hit it first time with a sweet half volley that flew over the keeper into the top corner, what a goal and exactly what we needed to get us back in the match.
With this we felt we had enough to now go on and win the game although time was running out if we could continue playing our football we would get another chance. With us pushing the defence held strong and were now defending as a unit and winning the first and second ball and feeding the forward players.
As a consequence of us pushing we were always going to be short at the back especially as Marc Wood was struggling after a strong challenge but he played on bravely and led as captain, Tenterden had a chance with about 5 minutes to go which produced a great save from Hymers. Dave today looked like a goalkeeper and in the second half was instrumental in us playing good football by using the full backs instead of just going long.
Time was beginning to run out and it looked like we would have to settle for a draw although we did have chances their goalkeeper was proving to be their best player pulling off a great save from the General from close range. Then the comedy moment of the match happened Alun was breaking with the ball with two players in support and for some reason their defender tried to play what looked like an offside trap by himself by just stopping and moving out of Alun’s way (that tenner I slipped him before the game did the trick) Alun calmly went on to put the ball passed their keeper with only a few minutes to go and the three points were ours.
All though the first half of this game was pretty poor on our behalf there were a lot of positives to take from the game, firstly a solid performance from Dave in goal, Ollie Allman was superb throughout and if we could get him to play more often would be a massive bonus, the second half play was good and we kept the ball well at times.
Steve (back to his growling best in 2nd half) and Barry (looked dangerous going forward and scored a wonder goal) holding their own and then dominating the second period against the oppositions three in midfield. Alun scoring his 5th goal of the season in six games, the defence in the second half concentrating and not diving in. Credit has to go to Tenterden as well for a side that are struggling they didn’t give up and kept going to the end, but overall I feel we were a better side.
But it won’t count for anything if we don’t learn from our mistakes, we must stop giving the ball away cheaply at times, concentrate for 90 minutes work as a team and chat when were on the pitch. We still need players to be more committed as both Saturday sides went out with only twelve payers. Also we need to make sure when were on top in games to get goals and kill teams off as today although we had enough chances to win 2 games we didn’t finish Tenterden and they were still in the game until the final few minutes. But overall three points which moves us up to 6th level points with the 5th placed side.