U10 Calcio Talent & Select - Ossett United

In markedly different weather conditions to last week, Calcio delivered a fine performance to win 7-0 versus Ossett United. Maybe we just like the sunshine!

Ossett fielded a stronger team than the previous match, with their coach saying they had two key players back and that they were expecting a close game. I think this was evident during the first period when they proved difficult to break down and better in their defensive duels. It took a lovely piece of combination play between Isaac, Lewen, Freddie and ultimately Jude to break the deadlock. Most impressively in this period was our ability to defend from the front, pressing well, dominating man-for-man in midfield and forcing mistakes as they played out. I’m sure Ossett had goals in them if they weren’t facing such a solid defensive unit.

We spoke at the break about sticking to our playing out principles – keeping wingers high and wide to create more space to play through the midfield. Yet again the boys were able to take direction and put this into practice, dominating possession in their half for the remainder of the game. A ten-minute hattrick from Freddie, fragmented only by even more chances fired us into what felt like an unassailable lead, from which we didn’t look back. We have worked hard on our pressing and defensive roles and responsibilities over the last month, so it was particularly pleasing to execute the plan and get that clean sheet.

Manager’s Man of the Match was a tough one today, there were many justifiable candidates. Lewen just pipped it for me, particularly because he is working really hard to not roam all over the pitch and remember his roles and responsibilities. For this reason, I thought he was particularly dangerous in the right areas today and reaped the rewards of his efforts with 2 goals and 2 assists. Well done mate.