S&L Juniors U10 Whites - Woking Tigers Youth U10

Away game on a grass pitch, with our very own Steve Owen as ref (excellent job - I scored you 98 out of 100!).

Fair to start with fact that opposition coach said they'd won every game this season and played together as a team for 4 years.

With a quick opposition goal conceded from the start (super volley) and two long range missiles I'm sure it was a tough one to play (and watch). We nearly came back from 4-0 down, to 4-2, but unfortunately they got the next and those after.

My takeaways that we'll take into training are:

• Defence is the NO1 priority. It's better that all track back than none at all. Don't think that someone else is bound to do it, so you don't need to.

• Many want to receive the ball and first instinct is to play/ run forwards. Sometimes, in attack, we need to run away/ back from oppo goal  to make passing options. A passing distance of between 10-15 steps is perfect (5-10 metres). Too far and the ball might be intercepted, too close and we're not spreading play. Maintaining possession will tire oppo and create chances.
• We could pass the ball more when team mates are available and in better positions. We made a few runs today against 3 of the oppo and often lost ball. A one-two with a team mate would have got you past easier. Or created better scoring positions for team mates.
• We could have pressed the ball and opposition more to force mistakes. For CB's it's OK to stay goal side and not commit, outfield players can press much more in attempt to turn over play.
• When defending our box the ball wasn't cleared to safety enough. Forget about what's happening around you, focus on the ball and blast it out to safety! It only takes an oppo toe poke and we're down another goal.
• Try and keep spirits up and remember a game of football is fun, regardless of result. Getting frustrated only weakens the team, using this to increase effort and the come back would be on!

Behaviour in the game was much, much better. There was very little questioning of decisions and we was very respectful of the opposition. Well done.

The overall view is one where we play this lovely expansive and hardworking football, and the oppo win a few goal scrambles to score (their screamers excluded!). We had a lot of attack minded players and missed a bit of defensive bias.