U16 Whites - Team 780
Off the back of last week's performance, the team talk for today's match was pretty much, more of the same, stick to our principles but be more clinical with everything you do.
From the kick off, Team 780 threw everything at us with shouts of ‘PRESS, PRESS, PRESS’ which they certainly did. However, such is our confidence, it didn't faze us, and we played out from the back, every time with a high amount of success.
Recognising that their press was quite one directional and that they weren't quite cutting off our ‘out’ passes, we connected well into midfield and switched play with structure and meaning to get out.
Within the first 15 minutes, we broke 780’s press almost every time and from our ‘out’ pass, we created six good opportunities to score. Only their keeper preventing us taking the lead early on.
Unfortunately, completely against the run of play, a rogue shot from 35 yards took us by surprise and what would normally be bread and butter for our keeper, was slightly misjudged and rebounded off his chest into the path of their striker who slotted away with ease.
Such is our bond, the lads rallied around our keeper and words of support and togetherness lifted him up and we reset.
Straight from the restart, we created two opportunities of which, Leo netted from outside the box on the latter, bringing us straight back into the game.
Another massive couple of minutes from us saw Sam take on three players down the left and produced a sublime cut back into the cage for Leo to slot home again.
HALF TIME (780 1 – 2 UFCA)
From kick off, it took us a few minutes to realise the opposition had changed formation and we struggled to adapt and recognise what they had done. They came at us with meaning, managing to pull one back within this phase of the game.
We weathered the storm until we recognised where opportunities were for us to play in to. Spaces had opened up in the final third that we could progress into and we went for them, playing through the thirds, attacking the space they had left, and we found ourselves back on top and in control, creating chances.
Our third goal was a bit special and, in my opinion, was better the Gazza's 1996 goal against Scotland. Rapha latched onto a ball 25 yards out, dinked the ball over a defender's head not once, but twice and volleyed into the far corner from inside the cage. Applauded by pretty much everyone on the side lines, it was a genius moment on the 76 minute which gave us the lead and it was deserved too.
We continued to play in their half, and we looked increasingly dangerous, getting in behind them often. In added time, Leo was sent down the right and as he cut in to the box, he was hacked down and awarded a penalty. Leo, calmly and confidently, drove the ball into the goal which secured his hattrick and the win.
It was a superb game of control, calm, quality and togetherness which lead to really positive feedback from parents who were extremely impressed with the football on display.
Top marks to the lads. The hard work and bonding in training is paying off and it’s really sad that this team will come to end this season. It’s been a tough season with some results not justifying how well we’ve played but the lads have clicked and are beginning to produce some delicious football. One more game to go, lets finish on a massive high!
