Capel Sports and Social 5 v 1 Pembury Reserves
This weekend saw us in action against Capel Sports and Social, a team we played only 3 weeks ago, and on that occasion we lost the game, 5-3 after trailing 3-1 at half time.
With lessons learnt from the previous game, we changed our formation with the intention to try and match our opponents down the centre of the pitch.
This meant that we lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Tim and Adam picking up their 2 forwards, and Nick picking up the pieces at the back. In midfield, we had the two Tom’s out wide, with the intention of using their pace to get beyond the Capel fullbacks, and Steve, Matt and Oli lining up more centrally. Up front, we had Yacine and Matt R.
On a scorching day, we started the game well and the formation appeared to be working, shutting down the opposition well, and then looking dangerous when we played quick, direct football on the counter attack.
Half an hour gone and it was still 0-0. Unfortunately a lapse in concentration allowed Capel to score and make it 1-0. To our credit, our heads didn’t drop and we got an equaliser when a speculative shot from Matt somehow managed to squeeze under the Capel goalkeeper.
After surviving some more Capel pressure, we got to half time all square; 1 - 1.
At halftime we stressed the point to keep working hard, close them down in midfield and play on the break.
The second half started, and Capel began to dominate without really troubling Sam in goal. 15 minutes into the 2nd half we put together a move which fell to Tom 12 yards out. Unfortunately for Tom and us, his shot beat the keeper but a Capel defender got back onto the line, and with a sliding challenge he managed to keep the ball out.
To compound the event, Capel literally went down the other end, with some good wing play from their left, and a centred cross meant a simple tap in for the on rushing Capel attacker; 2-1 to Capel.
From the kick-off we passed it back to our defence, but a wayward pass went straight to the Capel midfield, and within 3 passes the ball was in the back of our net; 3-1 to Capel.
This latest goal, and the dual affect of the very hot weather and the effort we had put into the game in the first hour, left us deflated.
Unfortunately, with only me as a reluctant sub, all we could do was to move some players around in an attempt to get back into the game. This almost worked when Nick broke forward, but in chasing the game it left us exposed at the back, and Capel making the most of the situation scored two more unanswered goals to run out 5-1 winners.
It was encouraging that we were level after 60 minutes at the weekend. However, if we are to improve, we need to improve players’ availability so that we can play our strongest XI in the best formation for the team. At the time of writing this report, we haven’t managed to field what I believe is our strongest XI on the field at the same time. This isn’t meant to sound as a slight on any of the players, who have played in the fixtures to date, and I suppose it is inevitable with a reserve side that things crop up, but I believe with our squad that results will take a turn for the better, if availability improves.
This weekend sees us travel back to Capel, in the league this time; so let’s hope that we can build on our first 60 minutes of last weekend and see if we can run them closer this time.
Team:
S. Balcombe
Tom Lowe
N. Forward
A. Stapleton
T. Dunmall
T. Stapleton
O.White
S. Lindsey
M.Rice-Tucker
Y.Marouani
M.Humphrey
Subs :
G. Knight (DNP)
