U15 Yellows vs Pro Elite

A very frustrating match on the whole, with a very disappointed set of lads at the final whistle.

Tactically, we got it spot on and for the first 25 minutes we found success through our 6 as predicted. He had the space and time to dictate play within a definitive game plan which was discussed pre match.

This proved itself after 11 minutes when Hendrix put us in the lead with a superb strike from the right edge of the box.

Unfortunately, 2 minutes later, we found ourselves asleep defending our box. Nobody took responsibility in clearing the danger as the ball sat on the edge of the 6-yard box. Consequently, this allowed the opponents a free shot on goal through a crowded area and they equalised.

The opposition eventually changed their formation to counter our advantage which meant things got a little tighter in central areas. At half time, the tactics board made an appearance and we discussed where we could gain another advantage and reshaped our game plan.

They scored their second goal very quickly after the restart which wasn’t ideal. As we played out from the back, we found a 3v1 advantage on the left which we should have navigated with ease. On this occasion, the pass went straight to their striker who ran direct to goal and finished from 8 yards out.

Throughout the whole game, the ball was like a hot potato and the game was end to end which, is an exciting game for the neutral but not for myself. I Could feel more grey hair pushing its way through! We needed to make the ball stick far better than we were. Pass detail was a little off in terms of pace and direction. First touch was loose, body shape wasn’t open enough to see the bigger picture, retaining possession when we couldn’t play forward wasn't great and our reactions to loosing said possession could have been more intense.

That being said, we had plenty of chances, 7 or 8 in fact were very good scoring opportunities that we couldn’t make count. Some attempts were rushed, some were technically not great, some decisions made were arguably the wrong ones but we were getting into those areas and causing the opposition problems which was great to see.

Everything mentioned above comes under the heading ‘DETAIL’ and as I've said to the lads many times, it's this detail that counts and we really need to bring it into our game. The issues we’ve faced this season in terms of results, have all been down to one, some or all of the above-mentioned factors as to why we haven’t seen the success the team deserves. We need to be tidier and more intense in everything we do because we aren’t doing ourselves any favours.

There are 3 more games in this league, we’re currently bottom with 2 games in hand on the same points as the two teams above us.........you don’t need me to say anything else.