Little Theatre Club v Corinthians
0(0) v 4(0)
Ruiz 3
Whitehead
League
03/03/12
Today’s game kind of epitomised our season, we made an easy game look hard for 60 minuets. The only real difference that today’s game had from the rest of our season so far, we got the right result and showed the right attitude to secure a healthy difference at the final whistle. All credit to our opponents as they started with 8 men and worked extremely hard to try to dull our attack. After about 10 minuets that number went up to 10 players and although we had good pressure most of the first half this should have been the minimum we should have expected.
I feel we were all a little too defensive in the first have responding to our hosts rather than imposing ourselves into a game, the team we played we beat at the start of the game, so when they came of at half time 0-0 they were over the moon. We should have been out of sight but good goal keeping and a high spirit kept us out. We all had our half time chat I tinkered and spelt out the ways in which we could improve, such as not knocking 60 yard balls to our striker in vain hope. So in the second half I was please that we started more focused and in control of the game. We moved the ball much better and as the score shows obtained a fair result considering.
We could still improve though all round we lost defensive shape 20 minuets into the second half after the second goal went in, against a better side this will be punished. We lost voice and everyone to a man thought the game was won with 25 minuets to play. A reminder here lads we have lost many games like this, it needs to be cut out and everyone needs to be switched on for the full 90.
On balance of that statement our attacking play in the second half was much improved, Lee B missed a couple of sitters and had a few seemingly certain goals saved by a good goal keeper. We also had a number of chances from midfield or half chance saves. So the power of play was definitely with us. We took our goals well though Ruiz stealing in at the near post to flick on a curling free kick from Adam S. Then we had a good team goal, with the ball played through most of the team then spread out to the right where Ruiz again controlled and finished for 2-0. Loui calmly converted a pen, after Dean W was clattered going through on goal and finally Dean himself finished with a looping kind of head from a well taken corner.
So going forward then, we can improve for our last 5 games; we have hit a bit of form again finally, but only really looked comfy after our third goal. We have to be focused as I mentioned for the full ninety and need to continue to play football rather than smash the ball up the park and live of the scraps our striker might be able to produce. This isolates our forwards and offered teams to dominate us with possession. Long balls need to be exact or we lose possession and come under pressure.
Still a good win to take into next week’s game v Leigh Town away (BlenhiemPark). Our opponents then will be a much more difficult task. They are a division above us and in a similar form, but will play with a lot more confidence and assurance. We stand a good chance of winning this cup game and the style of play will suit us better as we can raise our game to match most teams.
This partnered with some of the good performances I saw out there from the likes of; Loui, Lee B, Dean W, Sam R and the defence as a whole who gave Gavin an extremely mundane experience in goal defending him very well, will offer us a chance to progress in this League cup
The way I saw it
Name
Rating
Comment
Gavin
7.5
Not a lot to do but did it well
Nana
7.5
Solid defensively and offered going forward
Steve
7.5
Controlled the line well, chatting and organising
Joe
7.5
Battled well for the ball, calm in possession
Sam
7.5
Left back, centre mid, centre forward literally everywhere
Dan S
7
First game back after a short break, battled well tired to the end
Dean W
8.5
Midfield dynamo, scored and was involved with most things going forward
Dan L
7
Hurt on half way after looking like the most dangerous player on the pitch
Adam S
7.5
Created well, played a too defensive at times but improved from last match
Loui R
8.5
Scored 2 and took the pen when told. Looked sharp.
Lee B
7.5
Led the line very well, kept 4 defenders busy. Unlucky not to score.
Subs
Scott
7.5
Came on and looked good, created and attacked the full back well
Lee S
Not required ran the line like a pro………
