Final Score 6-0 to Glodwick

Good to start our campaign at home on a fine pitch and in decent weather.

The squad were set in a well used 4231, with a 10 second time limit to regain lost possession, as being paramount to our game mentality. The lads were also coached to remain positionally disciplined and positive.

The First half was, in short, excellent. Great fight, urgency, decent passes, high desire to get to the ball first and press hard. Arguably we were the better team in almost every area and we created the best chances. Adam’s First half shot off the post was the best. From back to front we distributed well and looked favourite to go up. Our lack of shots from distance to test their keeper was one of the areas we could improve on as we need to test keepers more. Glodwick put a few on Dylan, lots missed, but Dylan parried, punched or saved their efforts.

All in all a great First half with only Glodwick’s quality screaming shot near Half Time, dampening a half that was ours!

Chris and Gary took the half time talk as I was keen to fill in some of the remaining weed divots that appeared so as to avoid unnecessary injuries to the lads. I was treated to an earful of f’ing and Jeffing by their manager who arrived late that he was aghast that they were not scoring and up 5-10 nil and how is that repayment for what he does for them!!!! Plus if they didn't go out and rip us up he would get rid of players who weren’t up for it. We take it as a compliment that our lads gave them a first half to reconsider their approach through a little shock.

Well…..what a lovely team ethic there manager has. So……second half guess what happened. Mr Nasty came knocking on pitch and we got fireworks from them.

Second half still saw good shape and positional discipline, reasonable chances made, great fight in the face of horrible fouling and verbal Abuse. Our passing a little lumpy and hopeful, rather than positive and accurate, but nothing desperate. Our fight was admirable, but over the half we started to lose some energy, had a couple of slight injuries so the composition of players on and their positions altered the game a touch.
Despite all this we continued to ply our trade and a great opportunity for us was late in the game was supplied by Joe driving up the wing and sending a left footed cross through for Adam but for the keeper to deny.

Rather than concentrate on a summary of their actions and words I would rather say it was a positive opener in terms of Mossley shape, attitude, positivity overall, willingness to work for the team and keeper distribution was great. Well done to Dylan and latterly Jake for multiple saves during their time in goal. We are proud of all the lads, our team ethic and conduct. Lots of positive aspects going forward. We will work on passing quality, finding the right pass quickly, transitioning the ball through midfield to the forwards and a more basic one which is shooting more overall. Plus one or two other areas. We do just need more shots, shots and shots.

Post match some were angry, a little deflated admittedly, but they should be proud of their efforts and team spirit. It was discussed that every week we should come to expect a more physical and sometimes verbal game as that’s how some team tick and the mental game (resilience to comments) has to be be worked on because once their in your head its game over. Definitely one match to take positives and some learning.

Admittedly, mine and Chris’ patience did wear a touch thin with them and their antics, but more so from a POV that we feel that players need the protection by way of our referees, who I respect always. On occasion though, one has to question why so many incidents didn't get seen or heard ??‍♂️ and so we did.

a few names were suggested for Man of the Match and my own conclusion would be that some individuals shone more at times, but ALL the team gave 100% overall despite the results. Never Give Up is the Team motto I gave at U7’s as well as the club motto adopted a year or so later. Our lads have that in them.

Onwards and upwards and thank you to all parents for your support.