Match Report

Sunday 25th November

Earls Colne 1- Harwich and Parkeston 3
(L Tzanos)

Today’s game left me oddly unsettled. We did do well against the second placed team in the league, but we are only degrees of confidence away from being able to upset teams of this quality.

Linford used to go on the B of Bang, and we went on the W of whistle. With only five minutes gone I felt we deserved to be ahead, and then we were. Luke lofted a corner and the combination of his solid connection and the wind helped drift the ball into the far corner. Although the goal was a little fortuitous, we were causing H&P problems. Luke broke through and struck a shot that their keeper did very well to turn past the post. After this we turned their defence on numerous occasions, but our finishing was lacking in conviction, and opportunity after opportunity went unsatisfied.

Fortunately, H & P were being equally wasteful at the other end. They too broke through time after time but failed to finish. Our defending became increasingly perilous. We were never sure whether to leave the ball to Thomas or clear it off his toes. Simple lobbed balls could have been headed away, but were left to bounce, with the result that our lack of technical prowess was clear for all to see. We also constantly allowed attackers to get on our wrong side, leaving us completely unaware of their whereabouts. Without wanting to sound too negative I also found frustration that when we did win the ball back, we tended to pass it straight back to the boys in yellow.

Their three goals came at regular intervals during the first half. Patrick sliced a clearance into his own goal following another mix up with Thomas. The second came from a through ball to an attacker who had once again got the wrong side of his defender. The third came from a corner – we didn’t react, they did.

Thomas was injured, and was replaced by Jake. Daniel came on and moved to the centre of defence, with George taking up position on the left. Despite this unplanned change, we stabilised and the second half saw no more goals. Again we threatened on a number of occasions, but we looked unlikely to score. The confidence shown in the previous weeks was noticeably absent, and at both ends of the pitch we looked frail.
I had been warned that H&P had a reputation for ‘rough’ play. They lived up to their reputation on a number of occasions. Whilst at times I would like a bit more steel from our boys, I am always proud that they play the game in the correct spirit. Teaching lads to hack is criminal. Focussing on the traditional aspects to the national game is the reason we fail at international level.

Jake did well in goal, Sam had his best match so far, but George won Man of the Match for his determination, his ability to take over Jake’s position, but not his throw ins!

Thanks to Rob and Mr Stammers-Swan for help with the goals, James for running the line, and Val for snacks. Thank you as ever to our lovely fans.

Dave




		Under 12s Match Report



		Sunday 25th November Earls Colne 1- Harwich and Parkeston 3 (L Tzanos) Today’s game left me oddly unsettled. We did do well against the second placed team in the league, but we are only degrees of confidence away from being able to upset teams of this quality. Linford used to go on the B of Bang, and we went on the W of whistle. With only five minutes gone I felt we deserved to be ahead, and then we were. Luke lofted a corner and the combination of his solid connection and the wind helped drift the ball into the far corner. Although the goal was a little fortuitous, we were causing H&P problems. Luke broke through and struck a shot that their keeper did very well to turn past the post. After this we turned their defence on numerous occasions, but our finishing was lacking in conviction, and opportunity after opportunity went unsatisfied. Fortunately, H & P were being equally wasteful at the other end. They too broke through time after time but failed to finish. Our defending became increasingly perilous. We were never sure whether to leave the ball to Thomas or clear it off his toes. Simple lobbed balls could have been headed away, but were left to bounce, with the result that our lack of technical prowess was clear for all to see. We also constantly allowed attackers to get on our wrong side, leaving us completely unaware of their whereabouts. Without wanting to sound too negative I also found frustration that when we did win the ball back, we tended to pass it straight back to the boys in yellow. Their three goals came at regular intervals during the first half. Patrick sliced a clearance into his own goal following another mix up with Thomas. The second came from a through ball to an attacker who had once again got the wrong side of his defender. The third came from a corner – we didn’t react, they did. Thomas was injured, and was replaced by Jake. Daniel came on and moved to the centre of defence, with George taking up position on the left. Despite this unplanned change, we stabilised and the second half saw no more goals. Again we threatened on a number of occasions, but we looked unlikely to score. The confidence shown in the previous weeks was noticeably absent, and at both ends of the pitch we looked frail. I had been warned that H&P had a reputation for ‘rough’ play. They lived up to their reputation on a number of occasions. Whilst at times I would like a bit more steel from our boys, I am always proud that they play the game in the correct spirit. Teaching lads to hack is criminal. Focussing on the traditional aspects to the national game is the reason we fail at international level. Jake did well in goal, Sam had his best match so far, but George won Man of the Match for his determination, his ability to take over Jake’s position, but not his throw ins! Thanks to Rob and Mr Stammers-Swan for help with the goals, James for running the line, and Val for snacks. Thank you as ever to our lovely fans. Dave