Boys U17 (2010) Major 1 - Suncroft AFC

Kickoff: 10:00 AM (Meet-up at 9:00 AM)

Venue: Away vs. Suncroft AFC

Conditions: A glorious morning with bright blue skies and dew on the grass, looking fantastic despite wet feet within minutes.

PRE-GAME BUILD-UP & TEAM TALK

The early start meant the lads were half-asleep during the initial warm-up, but we gradually got them up to speed before the pre-match talk.

In the team talk, we emphasized:

* Suncroft had won 3 of their 4 league games and are serious contenders for the league title, as their squad was strengthened by a few Premier-level players following last season's consolidation.

* We warned the lads that Suncroft were going to come at us hard and with plenty of pace right from the start, so we were going to have to be alert defensively and ready to weather the onslaught.

* The effort everyone made to get up early and travel over for the fixture.

* Playing with high intensity right from the opening whistle.

* Maintaining positional discipline and keeping our shape across the pitch.

* Using the width and providing constant passing options when on the ball.

* Trusting our passing game and building on the excellent passing and movement from our previous game, which we know we can do.

However, on the pitch just before the whistle, we lost a bit of intensity, which is something we need to work on for the next game.

PERFORMANCE & KEY MOMENTS

We got on the scoreboard first within the first minute when Ollie assisted Abdullah. The team were delighted, but that was short-lived as Suncroft scored a minute later.

That fast start set the tone for the rest of the game, which was end-to-end with both sides playing good attacking football and defending for their lives.

Each side scored again before half time, with Ryan O'Rourke assisting Ollie to keep things level.

Heading into half time at 2-2, the chat was for more of the same, trying to play our positions, pass more, and being tougher in the tackle.

The intensity from both sides went up a notch in the second half and continued ratcheting higher as the game wore on.

We were substituting lads because they were out on their feet, giving them a breather and sending them back in. Plenty of lads had sweat dripping down their faces and were out of breath, showing the sheer effort they were putting in.

In the second half, it was back and forth with a lot of great football. Jamie called plenty of times from right-back when supporting the right mid and got loads of crosses in. Some of the little balls threaded through the lines by Abdullah were chef's kiss - absolutely perfectly weighted. Oscar made some great passes up the left for our left mid to run onto.

We could have scored a few more if some of our attackers had two feet rather than just one (joking, not joking).

We're definitely practising shooting on our weaker foot this week!

We rode our luck when Suncroft were awarded a penalty, but their fierce shot rebounded off the post.

Ryan Parletti had a great first half in goal, and Adam took over in the second half and was outstanding, preventing a handful of goals. Both played out of their skins. Their distribution was very good, calm, and mostly unhurried.

Adam showed great bravery, taking a knee to the chest when rushing out at the striker, staying down injured for a few minutes before shaking it off. He shows that same bravery whether he is in the keeper position or outfield.

Conor was on the left, getting to their byline a few times and whipping balls across the goalmouth. Because he has so much pace, the rest of our line doesn't always get up in time.

We mentioned this at the end of the game: if the lads see Conor receiving the ball, they just have to assume he's going to beat his man, sprint up, and get the ball across, so our attacking line has to go hell for leather to get into the box in time.

SIDELINE SUPPORT & FOCUSING ON WHAT WE CAN CONTROL

We had plenty of encouragement from the sidelines, which is always brilliant to see and hear.

In past games, the lads have often come off the pitch saying how amazing it feels when they hear parents and subs shouting positive encouragement while they're on the ball.

The referee did ping us a couple of times for contesting decisions, which is fair enough.

Earlier in the season, we spoke with the lads about complaining or lingering on the ground calling for fouls. Beyond essentially leaving us down to 10 men in that moment, it wastes valuable time and energy.

We always remind the lads there are three things in a match we can never change or control: the ref, the opposition, and the weather. Our focus must always be on the things that are within our control, such as our shape, positions, communication, trusting each other, and our passing.

For everyone on the sidelines, parent and player support is huge. What we do on the sidelines can massively impact the game. Our goal is to always "catch them when they're good", encouraging the lads to repeat those positive behaviors and actions.

It makes a genuine difference on the pitch and towards the end of the game, we were defending wave after wave of Suncroft attacks as they charged towards our goal. One of our centre-backs, Tony, slowed down a bit because he was positioned further back, watching the play unfold in front of him. But when we roared encouragement from the sidelines to keep going, you could visibly see him speed up.

Our keeper made the save, and Tony was there to help clear the rebound. It just goes to show how much our encouragement from the sidelines can positively impact the game and help the lads dig deep!

Right into stoppage time at the end of the game, we had to defend corner after corner after corner. It felt like it could have been one of those days where we lost it in the final moments.

But then we broke out and ended up at the other end, where Conor had a snap shot that went just over the crossbar.

RESULT

2-2 Draw

If either side had lost this game, they would have been devastated, so a draw was a fair result.

POST-MATCH FEEDBACK & REFLECTIONS

Chatting to their coach at the end, he complimented us and said we had a decent little side that defended really well.

He noted in particular how well our left and right-backs dealt with their best players on the wings. He also highlighted that our number 10, Ryan O'Rourke, was excellent in the CAM position - so well done, Ryan, on another great game.

Both coaches agreed that the centre of the park was often empty with both teams' midfields disappearing as the play stretched.

FOCUS FOR TRAINING THIS WEEK

Positional discipline: Keeping our position. Sometimes in our enthusiasm and passion to get the ball, lads will charge out of position, hold onto the ball a bit too much, or run into other players' positions instead of passing to them. These are just minor things that, if we can tweak them, can make a big difference.

Shooting & decision-making: Practising shooting off our weaker foot and taking our shots earlier.

Body positioning & physical play: Using our body to protect the ball, and when competing for the ball.