***Match Report***

Result: 3-2 Loss in the JFC Cup

Goals: Wes 1 open play and a spectacular Free Kick Goal from Konor on his debut!!!

Player’s of the Match: Jointly awarded to Konor and Horris - well done lads

Coaches’ Player: Keaton - well battled!

Going in to the first match after what seems like such a long break and being a cup match against an always physical, sometimes naughty opponent, it was destined to be a tough match and held no surprises there.

I thought we started really brightly, Springhead kicked long from the keeper as I predicted to the lads and everyone seemed primed to this and being competitive.

Springhead sent everything through one wing and a very quick player after the long kick and they saw some success, but the defensive mids and back four were resolute in their defence. Our goalkeeper distribution from Dylan was good and we asked him to split his kicking between both wings to ensure it gave us the element of not necessarily surprise, but keeping our attack fresh and fluid. One aspect that was pleasing at times, were when we played the ball short, fast and on the ground, as we saw a lot of success with this style, but never really capitalised on the final passes to Adam, or Konor, or sometimes the wing players as we tend to overhit, or send the ball over the top, making it a battle of speed and control over a bouncing ball, before winning possession and shooting. That aspect, I think, prevents us from converting the chances we do create and there are plenty of them at times.

Furthermore, by hitting indiscriminate passes forward, we inevitably lose possession, or invite a battle of wills and physicality in just getting the ball and retaining possession. So in this vein, we create, but had struggled to convert and Springhead simply caught us cold on a long ball and slotted under Dylan as he came out to smother the shot. Going forward the plan is to be more focussed and disciplined positionally, to get the ball down and passes off quickly from the back, through midfield and from there, be consistent in weight and accuracy with our final balls into feet and the path of the forwards, or wingers so that they may shoot easier, or move the ball on to create a chance of shooting for a fellow player. Hitting balls over the top has a place in our game, but not the constant go to ball, it simply doesn't work !

One aspect of our game we have been successful at over the years and with a number of different players is our free kicks, corners….at times. Konor made his debut today with one hell of a ‘Hello Mossley I’m Konor, nice to meet you, here is my free kick!!!” LOL. What a goal and well done and welcome to Mossley JFC. Plus, Wes, who is always a ball of fire and energy kept pushing forward and broke through to convert a cracking goal in the box in almost a side kick action. Great goal!

Shape wise, we played a 1, 4, 2, 3, 1 for most of the game and latterly converted it to a 4,4,2, even asking very late on for one defender to step forward in midfield in possession, allowing another midfielder to step forward to a front three. 3,4,3 to allow a late run at equalising.

Our back line of Dylan, Josh, Horris, Keaton and Brad, plus Ellis latterly operated together really well, battled incredibly hard and all coaches thought Keaton was superb, individually today, making countless tackles, blocks and moving the ball on. That’s not to take away from all the lads, but Keats had a fantastic game individually.

Midfield was played as a 2 in the CDM role, behind a 3 CAM / wing occupied at different times by Ellis, Nathan, Dan, Cian, Ben, Joe, Nick, Nathan and Wes, with Adam as lone striker for most part, then Konor. Plenty of energy, plenty of fire and physicality, we played well and the only advice we could honestly give, apart from switching distribution was accuracy of pass in the final third. Each of the players in a midfield and forward role did put together a flurry of passes in the 55-70 minute time frame and I thought we looked the team most likely to win at that point.

The 2 in the defensive midfield gave us some protection from long balls, BUT Springhead just threw bodies and physicality forward and so having gone initially a goal down, equalised, gone to 2-2, then 3-2 down late on, we had to throw everyone forward.

The match provided us all with every emotion expected along the way and it would be an honest summary to say, we played well, battled superbly, stuck together, but whist we couldn't get the ball over the line in the end after they had a player sent off, the lads should reflect proudly, but also take the opportunity learn where we can and will improve for the next match. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and coaching it and I know both Gary and Simon also felt the buzz of the occasion.

So with Xmas and New Year out of the way, we can now look forward to football once again and I feel confident with this team, that we will keep improving every week.

Thanks to all parents for your support. Superb today ?

AL