Venue: Old Tenisonians Sports Ground
Date: 16 November 2024
Kick-Off Time: 14:00
Competition: Surrey South Eastern Combination - Intermediate Division 1
Result: EOB 0-0 Chelsea Rovers

Chelsea Rovers earned a well-fought point away to Exeter Old Boys in a closely contested match that showcased defensive organisation and compact team play. Both teams struggled to create clear chances, with the match ending in a goalless draw.

Line-Up and Formation
Chelsea Rovers lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, continuing their emphasis on compact defending and structured build-up play. Cepillo started in goal, with Choi and Fernandez occupying the full-back positions and Abbad partnering Lee in central defence. In midfield, Ly and Mirza operated as the two holding midfielders, providing both defensive cover and passing options in the build-up phase. The attacking trio consisted of Kim in the central attacking role, flanked by Rollock and Oh, with Collins leading the line as the lone striker.

Starting XI
GK: E. Cepillo (#1)
DF: J. Choi (#13), A. Abbad (#12), S. Lee (#5), L. Fernandez (#14)
MF: J. Ly (#7), A. Kim (#18), R. Mirza (#17), N. Rollock (#10), H. Oh (#2)
FW: K. Collins (#11)

Substitutes
M. Sulaiman (#8), J. Fernandez (#16), C. Ackermann (#9), S. Lee (#21)

First Half: Solid Defensive Shape
Chelsea Rovers entered the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on compact defensive play and high pressing to limit the opposition's opportunities. The team aimed to force Exeter Old Boys into long balls to minimise their ability to create set-piece situations, which had been a problem in previous encounters.

The first half saw few chances for either side, with Chelsea Rovers’ backline, led by Adam Abbad and Seongmin Lee, staying compact and organised. Engelbert Cepillo made a few routine saves, but the team effectively limited Exeter's attempts at goal. Nathan Rollock and Jeongmin Choi worked tirelessly on the wings to support the full-backs, ensuring that wide threats were neutralised. Despite their defensive success, Rovers struggled to capitalise on possession, with limited service to Kyron Collins up front.

Second Half: Improvements in Build-Up Play
After a halftime adjustment, Chelsea Rovers looked to improve their attacking build-up through better midfield rotations and quicker switches of play. Jie Ly and Anselmo Kim worked to drop deeper to collect the ball and link with the wide players. As the game progressed, Rovers started to find more success in wide areas, but the final pass or finish was often lacking.

Exeter Old Boys dropped deep to defend, which limited the space for Rovers’ quick attackers. However, the team maintained their composure, working patiently to find openings. The match’s best chance came late on when Nathan Rollock broke through and unleashed a first-time shot, only to be denied by an outstanding save from the Exeter goalkeeper.

Defensively, Chelsea Rovers continued their disciplined performance, with Adam Abbad standing out for his aggressive pressing and clearances. Engelbert Cepillo’s confident handling of set-pieces further ensured that Rovers kept a clean sheet.

Tactical Analysis: Defensive Growth and Compact Play
Head Coach Ricardo da Luz reflected on the team’s defensive improvements:

"The boys have really embraced the importance of compact defending. We’ve worked hard on getting numbers behind the ball, and it’s paying off. Today’s clean sheet is a testament to their discipline and aggression in pressing."

While the defensive performance was a significant improvement, Coach Da Luz acknowledged the need for better transitions in midfield and quicker attacking play:

"We struggled to get our striker involved because of the pitch and the opposition’s deep defensive line. That’s something we need to work on moving forward."

Looking Ahead: Building Momentum
The result marks a significant improvement from the previous 5-2 loss against Exeter Old Boys earlier in the season. Rovers’ defensive resilience and ability to adapt to the game plan highlight their growth as a team. However, the need for sharper attacking transitions and clinical finishing remains an area to address in training.

With this strong defensive foundation, Chelsea Rovers will look to carry their momentum into upcoming fixtures and work on turning solid performances into victories.