JPL U18 NL 2024/2025 (Junior Premier League) - Billericay Town FC

A good win. 

We had initally 15 players accepted to the match, then we ended up playing with 12.

Due to the characteristics of the players I had for the match, I was forced to adapt the formation of the team, but keeping the same principles and ideologies of play.

We played most of the time in our Plan B (2nd formation) a 1-4-4-2 diamond shape. With no right footed, right backs available to the match, I adapted a left footed into the role. My idea when I build a start 11, is to try on the best way possible to bring the best of each individual towards the team. Considering I put a left footed winger as RB, it makes more sense on fortifying the midfield on a diamond shape, in order to exploit the Full Backs runs (as they would do the full length of the pitch, and when losing possession they would be covered by LCM/RCM.

Getting two forwards, in this formation, aimed to one of them drop between lines to link the play, and the other one to attempt make diagonals to the side of the ball, after starting on the opposite side of the ball. The idea was to get that through ball straight into the strikers, or being able to switch the play for the full back overload. On that aspect, of the game we were poor.

Defensively, we controlled the game for most of the time.

Attacking, we had a good first half, where we jsut managed to score once.

We should be 3 up by halftime, instead we went to the break 1-1.

Second half we didn't play as good as on the first, but an amazing direct free kick, gave us the lead, that even not played that well we deserved to have.

We then created a couple of good chances including a shot on the crossbar, and moments after we killed the game, in a sloppy play, where the ball, luckily got into one of our player feet that just need to tap it in two meters from the goal.

We then managed the game, not allowing the opposition to create chances.

Better the result than the performance. However, we not gonna be able to always play an attractive football, and when we can't add that because of a reason or two, it is important that the team becomes pragmatic, understand the moments of the game, to ensure that at the end, we bring the 3 points home.

This was the first league match of the season. We are currently second, behind 360 Talent (by goal difference), they won 7-1 against Brazil DA.

The upcoming week, we face Juventus, and right now is the only match that it matters!!!

Lets go EFA!!!