It's always preferable to start the League season with a home game & after some promising performances in friendlies,everything was set up for the season opener. Unfortunately, the first choice 'keeper got injured on Saturday (the management of that 'outfit' really must take more care of the players) but we were able to call on Garry Knight, who proved an able deputy.
The importance of a proper warm up (thanks Dean) was shown by a bright beginning to the first half,in which we dominated possession & looked safe & secure at the back. The first goal was a fitting reward for this effort, Matt Rice-Tucker winning the ball in mid-field,passing out left, then making a run to the far post & neatly finishing off a great cross from Richard Stanton. The pattern continued for the rest off the first half, but we failed to translate domination into goals,partly due to an excellent performance from their 'keeper it must be said. Defensively,we remained sound with Knighty hardly having a save to make. Perhaps boredom was the reason for his inexplicable behaviour late in the half,when he appeared to try and execute his own version of the 'Scorpion' kick, which sadly resulted only in a mouthful of grass.
The second half began in total contrast to to the first, as we struggled to maintain our rythm and failed to pass the ball effectively.This allowed the opposition back in the game & gave them some hope. But we gradually improved as our fitness began to tell against tiring oppostion.
The front two (Rob H. & Richard) began to create more,as we re-asserted ourselves and link-up play around the team improved. The second goal eventually came via a penalty, Richard turning their defence & being pulled down.Ross tucked the penalty away with aplomb.This visibly relaxed the whole side & conversely deflated the opposition,allowing us to dictate for the rest of the game & create plenty of chances.Goals three & four were added by Richard, the first a clever turn and finish, was probably the best of the game. Overall, we defended & competed as a team which is a good habit to acquire & our use of the ball should improve as the players become more accustomed to each others' strengths & weaknesses.
So a good start, the pluses must be a clean sheet & 3 points,the minuses our failure to kill the game off early enough & a sloppy start to the second half. Next week we have a tough game against a side who have had some good results in friendlies & won at the weekend,so a significant improvement will be required. Fitzy has also added a couple of players to the squad, so complacency is not an option for anyone, as there is a long way to go.
Team:
G.Knight,
L.Hattle
L.Smith,
N.Sargent,
N.Edwards,
T.Bayne,
M.Rice-Tucker
R.Taylor,
L.West
R.Hendley,
R.Stanton.
Subs:
T.Lowe,
Nick Forward,
S.Weller