Post by redway on Feb 21, 2011 9:34:13 GMT
Match Report: 20th February 2011
Barnfield Colts 1 v 3 NPTFC Lions
Half – Time: 0 - 2
Scorer: Tom Blake (3)
For the second time this season Barnfield made the Lions work hard for their points on a bog of a pitch that really didn’t suit either side. However the Lions ground out a win which on balance they probably deserved, although the manner of which wasn’t convincing.
After the huge disappointment of last week I would think the mud heap of a pitch that greeted the Lions on arrival in Luton was about the last thing they wanted to see. In truth though it possibly did them some good as it was going to take a real TEAM effort to win this one and everyone needed to roll their sleeves up and adapt to the trying conditions. A splattering of rain and a sharp wind added to the occasion so much that the prawn sandwich brigade missed most of the 2nd half searching for a “coffee”..Yeah right!.
With a slightly rejigged line up the Lions started in 2nd gear and immediately put themselves under pressure trying to be to precise in their touch in the centre of a pitch that just wouldn’t allow that. The result was a few hurried clearances by Dan and some nervous glances from the defence at one another. The midfield also struggled to shift the ball and on occasion took the ball back into the gluepot when it seemed easier to keep the ball moving wide where grass had been seen earlier in the season. Gradually and at times eventually we did get the ball wide to Liam and Steve and we started to make inroads. It certainly seemed from the sideline we had the imagination to break the home side down but when we did get sight of goal we dwelt a fraction too long and the chance was snuffed out. That was until in the 22nd minute a ball from Steve cutting inside found Liam who skipped round the left fullback and crossed to the far post. Not sure if it had gone in already but Tom made sure from close range anyway.
This didn’t inspire the Lions as they continued in second gear and Barnfield’s direct football was allowed to continue as not enough pressure was put on the ball. Mostly though the back four dealt with this much better but we did seem to keep being overloaded in numbers down our flank. The second goal was going to be crucial and it finally came with more good work by Mitch down the right and then Liam who fed Tom to finish left footed into the corner. We did try to play football so in my opinion e a fair half time reflection of the balance of play.
Work ethic was key second half and fresh legs were introduced to assist with Eben coming on for Matt who had worked hard in the middle of the mud bath. Unfortunately the rest of the team didn’t respond and Barnfield for the opening 20 minutes started to press. Leaving three men up at almost all times we should have had numerical superiority elsewhere but the ball still kept coming back in. The defence needed to be more vocal and move out quicker but the lack of ball retention was worrying. In the end after a couple of half clearance the Barnfield centre forward was presented with a half chance which when blocked looped over Dan into the net. Tails up and the home side could sense our anxiety. Still playing direct and down our flanks they opened us up again but fortunately shot straight at Dan. We gradually started to pick up our game and Jack Crox imposed himself in our midfield allowing Steve to start working the ball. A couple of breaks into the box by Liam and Tom then ensued but with no final result maybe because there wasn’t anyone to pass to when they did get in behind! Nerves were finally calmed though when Liam broke from just outside the area and was halted in his progress with an effective yet ultimately illegal tackle.
After the most recent show of democracy at work in deciding who should take the penalty it was no surprise Tom had the ball in hand before anyone had chance to offer an alternative opinion. Good job as he stroked it calmly into the corner of the net and in doing so secured another deserved hat trick. His whole all round effort in showing for passes, holding the ball up and doing the hard yards to close the opposition defence down meant he deserved that hat trick. On other days he won’t get the reward so well done today.
This knocked the wind out of Barnfield and in truth we could have had more goals. Kevin fizzed one past the post and we had a goalmouth scramble as well. In truth the game was over at 3-1 and it was a case of playing out time.
Neither our best nor our worst performance..and we can blame the conditions as I have. Ultimately though you have to work hard and adapt and I am not sure we did that today across the team. We have 7 games left to retain our title and let’s hope we get the chance to play some more flowing football over the coming months and at the same time raise our game and intensity. One without the other won’t be enough.
Good luck next week
Squad: Tom Blake, Luke Parker, Matty Cullis, Dan Shaw, Steve Blood, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Kevin Feldman, Mitch Tofts, Jack Allen, Eben Darko, Jack Croxford and Alex Collard
Barnfield Colts 1 v 3 NPTFC Lions
Half – Time: 0 - 2
Scorer: Tom Blake (3)
For the second time this season Barnfield made the Lions work hard for their points on a bog of a pitch that really didn’t suit either side. However the Lions ground out a win which on balance they probably deserved, although the manner of which wasn’t convincing.
After the huge disappointment of last week I would think the mud heap of a pitch that greeted the Lions on arrival in Luton was about the last thing they wanted to see. In truth though it possibly did them some good as it was going to take a real TEAM effort to win this one and everyone needed to roll their sleeves up and adapt to the trying conditions. A splattering of rain and a sharp wind added to the occasion so much that the prawn sandwich brigade missed most of the 2nd half searching for a “coffee”..Yeah right!.
With a slightly rejigged line up the Lions started in 2nd gear and immediately put themselves under pressure trying to be to precise in their touch in the centre of a pitch that just wouldn’t allow that. The result was a few hurried clearances by Dan and some nervous glances from the defence at one another. The midfield also struggled to shift the ball and on occasion took the ball back into the gluepot when it seemed easier to keep the ball moving wide where grass had been seen earlier in the season. Gradually and at times eventually we did get the ball wide to Liam and Steve and we started to make inroads. It certainly seemed from the sideline we had the imagination to break the home side down but when we did get sight of goal we dwelt a fraction too long and the chance was snuffed out. That was until in the 22nd minute a ball from Steve cutting inside found Liam who skipped round the left fullback and crossed to the far post. Not sure if it had gone in already but Tom made sure from close range anyway.
This didn’t inspire the Lions as they continued in second gear and Barnfield’s direct football was allowed to continue as not enough pressure was put on the ball. Mostly though the back four dealt with this much better but we did seem to keep being overloaded in numbers down our flank. The second goal was going to be crucial and it finally came with more good work by Mitch down the right and then Liam who fed Tom to finish left footed into the corner. We did try to play football so in my opinion e a fair half time reflection of the balance of play.
Work ethic was key second half and fresh legs were introduced to assist with Eben coming on for Matt who had worked hard in the middle of the mud bath. Unfortunately the rest of the team didn’t respond and Barnfield for the opening 20 minutes started to press. Leaving three men up at almost all times we should have had numerical superiority elsewhere but the ball still kept coming back in. The defence needed to be more vocal and move out quicker but the lack of ball retention was worrying. In the end after a couple of half clearance the Barnfield centre forward was presented with a half chance which when blocked looped over Dan into the net. Tails up and the home side could sense our anxiety. Still playing direct and down our flanks they opened us up again but fortunately shot straight at Dan. We gradually started to pick up our game and Jack Crox imposed himself in our midfield allowing Steve to start working the ball. A couple of breaks into the box by Liam and Tom then ensued but with no final result maybe because there wasn’t anyone to pass to when they did get in behind! Nerves were finally calmed though when Liam broke from just outside the area and was halted in his progress with an effective yet ultimately illegal tackle.
After the most recent show of democracy at work in deciding who should take the penalty it was no surprise Tom had the ball in hand before anyone had chance to offer an alternative opinion. Good job as he stroked it calmly into the corner of the net and in doing so secured another deserved hat trick. His whole all round effort in showing for passes, holding the ball up and doing the hard yards to close the opposition defence down meant he deserved that hat trick. On other days he won’t get the reward so well done today.
This knocked the wind out of Barnfield and in truth we could have had more goals. Kevin fizzed one past the post and we had a goalmouth scramble as well. In truth the game was over at 3-1 and it was a case of playing out time.
Neither our best nor our worst performance..and we can blame the conditions as I have. Ultimately though you have to work hard and adapt and I am not sure we did that today across the team. We have 7 games left to retain our title and let’s hope we get the chance to play some more flowing football over the coming months and at the same time raise our game and intensity. One without the other won’t be enough.
Good luck next week
Squad: Tom Blake, Luke Parker, Matty Cullis, Dan Shaw, Steve Blood, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Kevin Feldman, Mitch Tofts, Jack Allen, Eben Darko, Jack Croxford and Alex Collard