JPL U16s NL 2023/24 Team (Junior Premier league) - Potters Bar Town FC
A bittersweet feeling!!!
Last weekend we lost 4-0 against this strong team. We had a game plan of trying to neutralise their style of play, by not allowing them to build up the play. That strategy worked well, forcing them to play long. However, our defenders were to deep, and cosntantly arriving late or half way when those long balls were played, which allowed them to receive, turn and exploit spaces. Also, were poor defending set pieces.
The training week before this match was focused on working in those details, plus the share of some clips of recorded match, to provide imagery and come up with the right rationale and try to improve in this match.
I did an alteration in terms of formation, moving to a 1-4-4-2 with two agile player upfront.
The idea was the same as in the first match, try to regain possesion closer to their goal, or force them to play long, but improving in this particular aspect.
They played again in their 1-4-1-2-3. So my idea was to get the two upfront, one to press the CB on the ball and the other marking their CDM, and be patient in case they would switch. For example, when the ball was moved from their keeper to the RCB, our LM would close down their RB, our CM on the left would close down their RCM, whilst the CM furhter way from the ball would drop as a CDM/CB, in case the ball would go long to their winger, our LB would close down, the LCB would be on cover, and our CM into CDM, depending on the play would create the balance in the mid or would drop between the CBs to help the other CB with the ST, the RB then would close from the inside whilst watching out opposite winger. Our RM, would shuffle to the place of the holding mid, that dropped, taking care of their LCM.
In the first quarter, this worked almost in perfection, only one time we got caught, and they had a dangerous shot, still out of target. Offensively wise, we had the best chance of the first 20 minutes, a double chance in the same play, but their keeper was superb, denying the goal.
In the second quarter, I swapped the two forwards. the two players that came in, have different characteristics. The idea was still to limit their play out, but in possession get more support play to link the sectors with short combinations, instead rushing to quick transitions.
Unfortunately, it didn´t work well, as the first moment of pressure wasn´t efficient, so were forced to drop lines. Then when defending organised in a medium, low block, we were arriving late on the ball, which led to hardest period of the match so far. They had 2 balls on the posts, and we couldn´t link our game to threat the opposition.
HT-0-0.
In the third quarter, we were superior, we had more ball, wer linked the play better between sectors, created chances. However, in building up our play, we were complacent, and we had some bad decisions in terms of where to pass the ball, that turned in to their first goal, out of nowhere. Nevertheless, we respond straight away, with a fantastic goal from an individual play from Donte, that from almost the half way line, dribbles four or 5 players and scores. Also credit to the players around and their respective runs without the ball that allowed Donte to do a Maradona goal.
We got more confident, and controlled the next 10 minutes. getting closer to the end of the third quarter, a mistake in terms of offside trap, allowed them to build up a good play to do the 2-1. A vital moment of the game, as seconds after, was the end of the quarter.
With 2-1 going to the last 20 minutes, we needed to try to get even more aggressive, get more ball and try to score.
We were playing well, but a ball lost our attacking third, allow the opposition a counter, our keeper well positioned, read well the play and worked as sweeper, to clear the ball before their forward gets to it, unfortunately, he missed the clearance in accurate way, which led to the ball spinning, and then their forward got the ball and score in an empty goal. An unlucky moment, this was the end of the play, and that what usually stays in our memories, however, there was an early consequence that dictate that through ball, someone lost it, someone didn´t try to cut angles and regain it. So when we concede a goal, we all concede, when we score, we all score!!
We had a couple of minutes, to come back emotionally from the moment that we were closer to a 2-2, and see us in a 3-1 down.
The team then gave everything in the last 10 minutes, we reduced two minutes to the end. But it was too late.
This score doesn´t reflect what has happened in the match. I accept it,as they scored 3 and us 2. Nevertheless, we could have won or draw this match, against a team that has its value, is unbeatable so far in League and Cup. They were forced to RESPECT us until the last second of the match. A team, once again that is the CUP final nationwide.
I am proud of my players, as they did their best, and were very close to defeat them. I am proud, that in an overall, everyone understood their roles and responsibilities in the game, proud of their resilience and courage and a never give up mentality.
It is frustrating to my players not achieving the wished outcome in this match, but after reflecting, and potentially see the footage of the match, when available. They will get very positive outcomes from this match.
Let's go EFA!!!
