Cornard Dynamos Reds 2 - 2 Rowhedge Juniors FC U9
Team Captain: Jacob
Despite the wet weather, this was a really entertaining game to watch for both teams. Cornard Dynamos Reds are a strong technical team with a mix of Blues and Reds from 19/20 season; their club’s ‘top’ U9 team for 20/21 season.
We changed the positions slightly, dropping the CB to a sweeper role. We pushed the LB and RB further out to provide the width with more freedom to run down the wing and made the midfield narrow to protect the back.
In the words of PJ “the sweeper role is to sweep up all the mess, like a broom”, and that is exactly what he did. His best performance yet and the team really benefited from his presence in the centre.
19 minutes in and Rowhedge took the lead through a really good worked goal from Alfie (2nd goal in as many games (must be the new boots)) with Roman grabbing an excellent assist. Cornard equalised through our mistake by playing the ball directly to their midfield, we were then caught out of position and didn’t track the players. Logan didn’t really have a chance - a well placed shot by Cornard. PJ took a really good free kick from about 25 yards out, narrowly going wide but worked their keeper.
1 a piece at half time.
The second half continued in the same fashion; both teams working hard playing a fast paced end to end game. Oakley and Thomas did brilliantly well to track and cut out play. They instinctively provided cover across the width of the pitch when either player pushed down the wing. Unfortunately, Cornard managed to play a cheeky ball down the middle of the park and we had some confusion within the defence I.e both players went for the ball and collided. A Cornard player took the ball on to score; Logan did really well to come out to narrow the angle, but it was another well placed shot.
Rowhedge were not deterred and continued with the same positive attitude as they started. Jacob and Roman worked tirelessly with Harry in the final quarter of the game. From a counter, Bobby played a ball through to Jacob who ran off two players to play a ball through to Harry to run onto. Harry beautifully curled the ball into the corner of the net.
With the game tied at 2-2, Harry, as usual, was tenacious in his approach and kept working for every ball. He picked up a ball played down the left wing by Thomas (everyone thought it was going out of play) but Harry kept it in, caught Cornard off guard and was unlucky not to create a goal with Roman. Jacob drew in a foul for a free kick; Oakley took a really good set piece, again working the keeper and narrowly missing.
Whilst Harry picked up Managers’ Player, I was pleased to see Roman’s progression. This was by far his best performance. Well done.
*Areas for development:* releasing the ball from the back (decision making), weight of passes (technical) and positional discipline (focus).
*Improvements:* listening to instruction, GK coming off the line to close down players, pressure on opposition without the ball.
Players’ Player - Jacob Parents’ Player - PJ Managers’ Player - Harry
