U16 Yellows - SoccerHub
Positive performance but disappointing result...
First half
We dominated the first half, with SoccerHub rarely making it out of the own half. Their only chance came from us giving it away cheaply at the back, but Ethan Riley pulled off an excellent reaction save to push the shot around the post.
Going forward, Alex Nhubu saw all lot of the ball and was threatening in his 1v1 duels. Elliot Pryde and Sam Todd threatened in front of goal, keeping their goalie busy for most of the half. Our best chance to go in front came when Elliot who was through on goal got taken down in the box. Unfortunately, Elliot's penalty was well saved. But we kept going. After countless corners and long throw-ins, Charlie Addyman thought he'd scored with a header from a corner. The team were certain it crossed the line, but the ref waved play on.
Our best play of the half came with a sweeping move from defence to attack where we played out from the back, through midfield and in behind their defence for Elliot to shoot on target but the goalie was equal to it. Good to see the building play that we practice in training being brought to life in a game.
The first half ended 0-0 but we should have been out of sight.
Second half
Again, we dominated possession and the chances but couldn't score. Playing against the wind meant we had to deal with SoccerHub's long ball from GK kicks. These were the only times they threatened. Encouragingly we continued to try and play the UFCA way, and again our best passages of play came from playing out from the back. However, this was to be our undoing with approx. 10 minutes to go, when we got caught in possession playing out through a busy area of the pitch, and SoccerHub took full advantage of the space and time afforded to them to spring a quick attack and finishing well from inside our box.
So a disappointing result, however good to see us trying to play in the right way. And there was encouraging performances all over the pitch, notably from Kayode who was calm and productive in possession, returning to play his first game since his injury against Farsley Celtic; and Nathan Manyange who seamlessly slotted into the left centre back roll, showed a calmness in possession and some fight and determination out of possession; and Sam Todd who had one of his best games showing more calmness in possession and recognising when and how to stay on the ball.
