MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE 13-14 (Spring): Hayden Black vs JR Spartans 15th Feb 14
After a long break with no training and no matches we finally got to play our second league game on Hayden Youth's 3G pitch.
The starting line up was - Jake (GK), Jack, Finlay, Taran, Alfie, Lovell (cpt) and Callum. We started the game well and were showing some sweeping attacks down the wings through Lovell and Alfie. Callum worked hard to carve out chances but we couldnt find that elusive goal to settle the nerves. Hayden began to build momentum and we started to show them too much respect. With Finlay and Jack deputising in defence for us we started to struggle to contain wave after wave of Hayden pressure. This resulted in Taran, Lovell and Alfie having to drop very deep to help out defending.
With each Hayden attack we defended hard but with about 10 mins gone Hayden scored there opening goal. This was swiftly followed by a second goal 5 mins later. Just before the end of the half a great shot from way outside the box was fired into Jake's top right hand corner (a shot that I don't think even Joe Hart ould have stopped).
Half Time Score : Hayden Black - 3, JR Spartans - 0
At half time some changes were made, Ben came on for Alfie, Jack was replaced for Kaci and William came on for Callum. The boys were asked to change tactics slightly as the team formation was changed to a flat 3 in defence and 3 in midfield. The aim being to congest the midfield and close down Hayden quicker.
The boys started to show us how they can play, with Kaci and Ben working well on the right, plus Finlay and Lovell linking well on the left we started to show some pride and passion in the game. In the opening minutes Ben went close with a terrific shot. William was full of running as ever. Kaci, Finlay and Taran showed how they can play and with Jake in goal making some great saves this helped us to keep a clean sheet in the second half.
Full Time Score : Hayden Black - 3, JR Spartans - 0
Managers comment: Clearly the boys were aliitle rusty this week and it's hardly surprising given the lack of training and match practice since Christmas. We were also missing a number of defenders this weekend. We must remenber we have gone up a league too and this is the sort of standard of football we will be up against so we need to raise our game accordingly. We will be working on passing (short and long) at the next training session. We need to get back to playing the way we know we can play.
Captain: Lovell
Man of the Match: Jake