U14 Whites - Yorkshire RTC

As the title states, the lads were superb today and thoroughly deserved the win. As I said to the lads before the game, they were playing a team that troubled the yellows two months and so I expected it to be a hard fought challenge.

The best way to attack a challenge is start with the best intentions, and as some of the lads said at the end of Q1, it was the best 20 mins of the season - I fully agree. In Q2, RTC changed their shape a little and although we didn’t improve the scoreline until Q3, the second quarter laid the foundation for the win today.

The lads adapted to the change of formation to 4-5-1 out of possession and then 3-4-3 in possession. It was rare that gaps were there for them to play through and when they did exploit it, we adjusted and stopped it happening for long periods.

As predicted, 2 of 3 goals came from a direct ball over the top and we just missed the trigger to drop off. But overall, each of the CBs handled their main threat through most of the game 💪

In possession though, RTC started with a press, which was a surprise but it wasn’t with any plan or intensity and so it enabled us to play the first and second lines with ease (but that is only due to the detail of a firm pass and good first touch to then play forward again.

At points, they couldn’t get near the lads and seeing the development of trust was completely evident. Attacking wise, Jacob M was a handful in that first half and dispatched both chances assertively. Aaron was a menace all game and occupying all three CBs which created space for Oscar L and Ezra on the right side.

I could call out a lot of players today, which shows the effort and quality on show today.

Do I want more? Yes, more of the same for one as that should be our new standard but what could we improve on…?

Securing possession to retain and recycle it backwards or sideways if we can’t go forwards. That sometimes opened up the space on the opposite wing. But I am picking on small things here!

Team performance - 9/10 today 💪 …and I rarely give 10/10