Match Report
Match Report - 28 Feb 2009, Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Team not current lost to East Grinstead
BEACH
East Grinstead showed intent from the moment of arrival with a vigorous, well marshalled warm up. Clearly nothing hard changed from the difficult time they
gave us last season.
They had asked if we could play 7 a side which was readily agreed. This did however prove to be our downfall in the first match. They were clearly very familiar with their positions whilst we struggled to adapt to the demands of the change, which might have been easier against less able opposition.
They controlled the first half, only aggressive defending from Max and Oscar Edmondson and a fine goalkeeping display from Will Spence kept it to two goals conceded. In the second half we began to adjust and Connor began to have some positive influence on the match from a more defensive role. It however proved difficult to break down the momentum of the first half; the lads continued to battle and should be proud to have held them to three goals.
During the break we discussed the problems with the formation and came back out with a cleared idea of what was needed. East Grinstead again came at us with a very dangerous combination of speed and control, a superb team performance saw us go into half time just one down but starting to show the flair and speed that exists through the team. Do not know exactly what happened at half time, if possible it would be bottled and distributed for every match, though it would probably be declared an illegal substance. Was it the arrival of more support after the u11 match finished, a realisation that they could win, familiarity with the new formation or a combination of these and other factors, we will never know.
Whatever it was the second half was played with fire in their bellies. The team defended very strongly and the distribution from our defence started to create opportunities for Oscar Steward, George and Max to run at their defence, not something any defence would be comfortable with. East Grinstead were made of strong stuff and did not buckle under this pressure and it took two fine goals from Oscar Steward for us to take the lead. Their equalizer was not deserved and did not fairly reflect the performance of Oscar E and Kyle in defence. The winner that George deserved for his hard work chasing everything was out of the top drawer. An incredibly hard fought well deserved 3-2 victory.
Difficult not to recognise the extra contributions of Oscar Steward with his two goals and Max with his incredible energy but the real award for man of the match should go to the TEAM. It would have been easy to not have performed in the second match having been outplayed in the first to come out for the second match and play with such passion and have obviously learnt from the first game should be applauded. VERY WELL DONE ALL.
Thank you again for the contribution of all parents with the clearing up and particularly to Ryans dada Richard who assisted with training the non playing members of the team.
The next match in two weeks is home again, against only one team so could everyone please attend and a third team will be formed for a couple of no doubt fiery matches against the squads selected to play against East Hoathly. An excellent chance for everybody to get plenty of match experience.
See you next week for training usual time and place unless you hear otherwise.
OAK
This week was expected to be Wadhurst’s toughest opposition since the early season games against Raw Skills United, the team that replaced East Grinstead in the City League from January 2009.
Both matches were hard fought and whilst East Grinstead really stretched Oak with good use of space and accurate passing, all the boys worked immensely hard to keep in the game. Whilst we lost both games, with the score line in each match (1-2), to have come so close against such strong opposition says a lot about the boys work ethic and an excellent defensive display.
Once again there was some tireless defensive work from both Will Kinchin and Rory Alcock who worked so well at the back, and great to see such positive communication between them. Lucas Munro and Oliver Morss Davies were also very much in the thick of the action with strong and committed tackling from the midfield. And I must mention Louis Horner, making a welcome and brave return from his “recent break”, and showing some good work defensively and in his positive movement around the pitch looking for space – great to see both father and son on the road to recovery!
With all of that collective defensive effort, and in spite of being 2 goals down in both games, great team work and some excellent finishing from Jack Pearman in both games kept the boys well in the hunt for at least a draw, right up until the final whistle in both games.
As for Man of The Match, the vote went to Oliver Morss Davies, with the clincher being some outstandingly brave goalkeeping during the second game as well as his outfield work. However, as a result of a serious accounting error on my part, I neglected to select our other Man of The Match (it ought not to be difficult: 2 matches = 2 Men of the Match!) But our second Man of The Match has to be Jack Pearman, tireless running and commitment and a goal in each game to keep the team in the running – many apologies to Jack for not recognizing this on the day, and remind me that I owe you a Twix!
In the post match review, I asked the boys what they felt made the difference – they recognized that the key differences between the 2 teams was a stronger passing game, and good use of space and movement on and off the ball. So a great effort from all the boys, and also good to hear them recognizing the key areas for team development - these will be key areas for focus in forthcoming coaching sessions. Many thanks to all the parents for your support, particularly Moyna Edmondson for those much needed oranges, and all those who helped coach and supervise the boys not selected for this game.
Mark
Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Team not current 5 - 6 East Grinstead (over all 3-2 and 1-2 1-2, two losses and one win )