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After our drubbing in the rain last week, it was possibly portentous that we awoke to a glorious morning ready to face Lawford.
The early exchanges were nervy and not unlike two boxers carefully trying to find their range. As the half wore on I felt we had the upper hand (does that phrase come from visualising scales?) but we were not capitalising on our advantage. So what was not working? Basically we would do three things right, then two things wrong. Defenders would win the ball, then be slow to clear, whilst midfielders would do the same, then take a poor touch resulting in a rushed and inaccurate pass.
The best chance fell to Sam. Harry LA had done well to go past two players and then hit a cross/shot that Sam did well to connect to, but his leaping volley went just wide. Sam was having a good match – once he had control of the ball his touch was good and some of his passing accurate and progressive. Harry was also doing well, working hard and displaying confidence in his touch.
We went in at half time one down. On one of their few forays into our half Lawford once again met Jack who cleared. People around me nodded sagely and we agreed he was having a fine match. Poor lad, we had obviously cursed him, as his next touch was to deflect the ball past his own keeper. The best thing, was the support showed to him by all and sundry – unlike Lawford who were constantly moaning about each other. The half time talk was about trying to reduce the mistakes, believe in the ability to win, and to get Louis and Harry C to work closer together, as I felt that if we had two players in central midfield we would dominate.
With Harry C calm, we started to play football. The second half showed what we can do when we believe in ourselves. Daniel levelled the score at the back post – his first for the club, and well deserved. We were fortunate with a high boot, but it would be fair to say the goal reflected our growing dominance. Luke had missed a penalty (we are like England in this respect) and I had wondered if it was not going to be our day, but the boys proved me wrong. Joe scored with a neat finish following good work from a throw-in routine – Mark threw to Cameron, who fed Harry, who crossed, and goal! Louis then volleyed in from a corner (great corners Jake), and after Lawford had been gifted a second, Jake stepped up just inside their half to belt one at their keeper – who misjudged and we were 4-2 up. The cheer for Jake warmed the heart, it truly did.
Lawford were resorting to deliberate fouls, poor sportsmanship (kicking the ball away), and whingeing. Boy could they whinge. Despite their moaning at the end it would be factual to say we played better football and deserved to win. Without our mistakes at the back they would not have scored today.
A number of boys played well today – amongst them Harry La, Sam, Jack and Jake, but Louis won the man of the match for his determination to keep his head and play football when others were starting to boil over.
Thanks to Neil for stepping in to ref, Dads and Janice for help with the goals, Val for snacks and Val again for washing the kit.
Please note – Dianne tells me that all supporters are now required to stand behind a barrier (new FA rules), so all dads will have to stand on the seniors pitch side to watch next week.
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