Post by redman1 on May 14, 2009 11:28:50 GMT
Match Report:
13/05/09:
U14 Lge Div 1
NPTFC Lions 2
Olney Town 0
Squad:
Luke Parker, Tom King, Matty Cullis, Jack Croxford, Mitch Tofts, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Alex Collard, Haig Stringer, James Sage, Jack Allen, Marcus Bayley, Daniel Booth.
Goal Scorers:
Matty Cullis 1
Liam Scott 1
A much better performance from the Lions last night, as they secured all 3 points with a double strike from Matty & Liam. On a rock hard pitch we got underway against a potential awkward opponent in Olney, who always, at least when we play them, seem to work really hard for each other, and so it proved again tonight.
As is the norm lately the Lions enjoyed much of the possession, and throughout the game, but particularly in the second half played some really nice football. But it’s in the final third that we looked to come up a bit short through the first half, we had numerous breaks on, but with few options open, the opportunities fizzled out.
We were spreading the ball around well and Matty picked up the ball on the right wing, ran at his defender, cut inside on his left just inside the box, and struck the ball well, past the defender and through the goal keepers legs to grab the Lions the lead just on the stroke of halftime.
HT 1-0
The second half got underway, and we looked livelier and got on top of Olney nice and early, the neat tidy football was there, but we knew we needed that second goal, because it only need the Olney strikers to break out and score and we would have some problems. Defensively we looked solid though with Luke Parker and Tom King very influential down the left, excellent balls into the box should have seen the goal score start to go up, but more frustration with balls going wide, and a lack of movement up front for options didn’t help.
The half marched on and our quality was good to watch, but still no goal, we had to be patient, it’s easy to keep squeezing up in these situations, and that’s when you can become vulnerable to a counter attack, as we found to our cost last week. Just keep playing the way we were and look for different options to unlock the door.
Well into the second half, a good through ball saw Liam pick up outside the box, with the Olney keeper deciding to come out, Liam won the foot race, went round his man and from a tight angle put the ball in the net, a good goal and the security we looked for, and with 8 minutes left in the game we simply needed to continue to retain the ball and see the game out.
This was a better performance from the team last night, we looked good in all areas of the pitch, but above all we looked more focused mentally, and that’s what makes the difference with the Lions.
We now pause for breath before we start the last 3 matches that will define the season for the Lions. The lads are more than capable of seeing themselves over the line, but it won’t be easy, with the improving MK Wanderers to play twice and Willen Jnrs still to try and overcome. Consistency, and personal preparation will go along way to helping though.
Well played to all last night.
Have a good week.
13/05/09:
U14 Lge Div 1
NPTFC Lions 2
Olney Town 0
Squad:
Luke Parker, Tom King, Matty Cullis, Jack Croxford, Mitch Tofts, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Alex Collard, Haig Stringer, James Sage, Jack Allen, Marcus Bayley, Daniel Booth.
Goal Scorers:
Matty Cullis 1
Liam Scott 1
A much better performance from the Lions last night, as they secured all 3 points with a double strike from Matty & Liam. On a rock hard pitch we got underway against a potential awkward opponent in Olney, who always, at least when we play them, seem to work really hard for each other, and so it proved again tonight.
As is the norm lately the Lions enjoyed much of the possession, and throughout the game, but particularly in the second half played some really nice football. But it’s in the final third that we looked to come up a bit short through the first half, we had numerous breaks on, but with few options open, the opportunities fizzled out.
We were spreading the ball around well and Matty picked up the ball on the right wing, ran at his defender, cut inside on his left just inside the box, and struck the ball well, past the defender and through the goal keepers legs to grab the Lions the lead just on the stroke of halftime.
HT 1-0
The second half got underway, and we looked livelier and got on top of Olney nice and early, the neat tidy football was there, but we knew we needed that second goal, because it only need the Olney strikers to break out and score and we would have some problems. Defensively we looked solid though with Luke Parker and Tom King very influential down the left, excellent balls into the box should have seen the goal score start to go up, but more frustration with balls going wide, and a lack of movement up front for options didn’t help.
The half marched on and our quality was good to watch, but still no goal, we had to be patient, it’s easy to keep squeezing up in these situations, and that’s when you can become vulnerable to a counter attack, as we found to our cost last week. Just keep playing the way we were and look for different options to unlock the door.
Well into the second half, a good through ball saw Liam pick up outside the box, with the Olney keeper deciding to come out, Liam won the foot race, went round his man and from a tight angle put the ball in the net, a good goal and the security we looked for, and with 8 minutes left in the game we simply needed to continue to retain the ball and see the game out.
This was a better performance from the team last night, we looked good in all areas of the pitch, but above all we looked more focused mentally, and that’s what makes the difference with the Lions.
We now pause for breath before we start the last 3 matches that will define the season for the Lions. The lads are more than capable of seeing themselves over the line, but it won’t be easy, with the improving MK Wanderers to play twice and Willen Jnrs still to try and overcome. Consistency, and personal preparation will go along way to helping though.
Well played to all last night.
Have a good week.