Post by redway on Apr 6, 2011 15:03:25 GMT
Chiltern League Div 1 – Under 16s
Match Report: 3rd April 2011:
Leighton Town Youth 0 v 2 Newport Pagnell Town
Half-time: 0 – 1
Newport Squad: Jack Allen, Steve Blood, Alex Collard, Jack Croxford, Matty Cullis, Eben Darko, Kevin Feldman, Johnny Harman, Luke Parker, Liam Scott, Dan Shaw, Mitchell Tofts, Jack Westbrook, Brandon Banda.
Any outside chances of retaining the Div 1 Championship were blown away on Sunday as the Lions were beaten by a strong Leighton side who had hardly put a foot wrong all season, its now between Crawley Green and Leighton for the title while Newport lick thier wounds, in some cases quite literally.
This was always going to be a highly charged and competative game, and so it proved to be with both sides needing the win, with Newport needed it that little bit more, in fact we had to win ALL our remaining games and with our erractic performances this season that looked a tall order.
The qame kicked off and both teams went for it, the pitch was sandy, dry, bobbly, but it was the same for both sides, seems like every week theres an issue with the pitch, stop moaning about the chuffing pitches!
There were early exchanges of fire on goals with nothing really worrying either keeper, Dan was fine and to be fair the Leighton keeper had a good game, dealing with everything in a regulation manner.
There were some torrid echanges in the midfield where the dust literally was flying, the back four looked good, and the high long balls for the most part were getting dealt with by Westy and Alex, with our fullbacks trying to push on when they could.
It was about 30 minuntes into the half when there was a slight case of what can only de described as "Handbags" intially.
And for the next 5 or so minutes there was a slight interlude, where I want your minds to think about a combination of one of those silent movies involving the "Keystone Cops", and for those old enough to remember the "Interlude" advert featuring the "Potters Wheel" and accompanying music.
By the time the interlude had finished Newport were down to 10 men, and a tough job to start with, then became a whole lot tougher.
That said with a slight reorganisation from Thorpy and Boothy that left us with a 4,3,2 formation, sleeves had to be rolled up like never before this season, there would be nowhere to hide in this game, this time.
For the lads that were left they did just that for the most part, it was a sterling performance of grit and determinantion that we hadn't seen from everyone all season, and yet here we were facing adversity almost at the 11th hour of the season and we start pulling out a gritty performance like we wanted it, really wanted it.
Yet another looping high ball over the top, this time broke through the ranks of our defence and the advancing striker got the lightest, but ultimatley effective touch on the ball, and lobbed over Dan and into the net, it was a cruel blow for the hard work that had gone in to just keep us in the game.
However it just seemed to drive our sense of determination to try and get an equaliser, but the first half clock ran down, for a well earned break.
Halftime 1-0
The game restarted in a similar vain, with Newport really having to continue to work hard to try and create some chances, but the pressure Leighton poured onto a 10 man side was relentless, and we had to keep digging in.
Inevitably, we couldn't stick to any sort of normal game plan or style of play, and so like our hosts, we had to go direct as the clock and time marched on. The introduction of Brandon and Kevin for Eben and Johnny saw some, by now, much needed fresh legs enter the fray.
It was shortly after this that "another" long ball came bouncing through, in fact it bounced right through, we didn't deal with that and the striker said thanks very much and lobbed another ball over the advancing Dan, to take the home side into a 2 nil lead and despite our valient efforts, probably the end of the game as a contest.
However the Newport lads battled to the end but just couldn't get a break to try and claw something back, and thierfore something to try and chase down toward the end of the game.
The final whistle blew, and the lads were exhausted, a lot had gone into the game and on the face of it we hadn't got anything from it. And in terms of points on the board that's true, but in terms of perhaps finding a little more about themsleves about the amount of effort that is required in some games.
Of course effort and hardwork is one thing, but the sort of footballing sharpeness that has been lacking over recent weeks, is hard to just pull out of the bag.
Its obvious that we just can't switch football sharpness on and off, it just comes through applying the basics, through training and comittment across the whole squad.
It wasn't the loss against Leighton that stopped us from a shot at the title again, it was other below average performances in the season that was the undoing. We didn't deserve it this year, based on how we have performed across the season, the table never lies as they say.
All that said, I personally, thought that for the lads that were left on the pitch and subs on Sunday, can for the most part be proud of the rearguard action that took place on Sunday.
We still have 3 league games to see out, and a Cup Semi-Final to play for, so we still have time to put in place hopefully the learning especially from the Leighton game.
We dust ourselves down, and go again next Sunday at home against Bedford Town A.
Onwards n Upwards!
Match Report: 3rd April 2011:
Leighton Town Youth 0 v 2 Newport Pagnell Town
Half-time: 0 – 1
Newport Squad: Jack Allen, Steve Blood, Alex Collard, Jack Croxford, Matty Cullis, Eben Darko, Kevin Feldman, Johnny Harman, Luke Parker, Liam Scott, Dan Shaw, Mitchell Tofts, Jack Westbrook, Brandon Banda.
Any outside chances of retaining the Div 1 Championship were blown away on Sunday as the Lions were beaten by a strong Leighton side who had hardly put a foot wrong all season, its now between Crawley Green and Leighton for the title while Newport lick thier wounds, in some cases quite literally.
This was always going to be a highly charged and competative game, and so it proved to be with both sides needing the win, with Newport needed it that little bit more, in fact we had to win ALL our remaining games and with our erractic performances this season that looked a tall order.
The qame kicked off and both teams went for it, the pitch was sandy, dry, bobbly, but it was the same for both sides, seems like every week theres an issue with the pitch, stop moaning about the chuffing pitches!
There were early exchanges of fire on goals with nothing really worrying either keeper, Dan was fine and to be fair the Leighton keeper had a good game, dealing with everything in a regulation manner.
There were some torrid echanges in the midfield where the dust literally was flying, the back four looked good, and the high long balls for the most part were getting dealt with by Westy and Alex, with our fullbacks trying to push on when they could.
It was about 30 minuntes into the half when there was a slight case of what can only de described as "Handbags" intially.
And for the next 5 or so minutes there was a slight interlude, where I want your minds to think about a combination of one of those silent movies involving the "Keystone Cops", and for those old enough to remember the "Interlude" advert featuring the "Potters Wheel" and accompanying music.
By the time the interlude had finished Newport were down to 10 men, and a tough job to start with, then became a whole lot tougher.
That said with a slight reorganisation from Thorpy and Boothy that left us with a 4,3,2 formation, sleeves had to be rolled up like never before this season, there would be nowhere to hide in this game, this time.
For the lads that were left they did just that for the most part, it was a sterling performance of grit and determinantion that we hadn't seen from everyone all season, and yet here we were facing adversity almost at the 11th hour of the season and we start pulling out a gritty performance like we wanted it, really wanted it.
Yet another looping high ball over the top, this time broke through the ranks of our defence and the advancing striker got the lightest, but ultimatley effective touch on the ball, and lobbed over Dan and into the net, it was a cruel blow for the hard work that had gone in to just keep us in the game.
However it just seemed to drive our sense of determination to try and get an equaliser, but the first half clock ran down, for a well earned break.
Halftime 1-0
The game restarted in a similar vain, with Newport really having to continue to work hard to try and create some chances, but the pressure Leighton poured onto a 10 man side was relentless, and we had to keep digging in.
Inevitably, we couldn't stick to any sort of normal game plan or style of play, and so like our hosts, we had to go direct as the clock and time marched on. The introduction of Brandon and Kevin for Eben and Johnny saw some, by now, much needed fresh legs enter the fray.
It was shortly after this that "another" long ball came bouncing through, in fact it bounced right through, we didn't deal with that and the striker said thanks very much and lobbed another ball over the advancing Dan, to take the home side into a 2 nil lead and despite our valient efforts, probably the end of the game as a contest.
However the Newport lads battled to the end but just couldn't get a break to try and claw something back, and thierfore something to try and chase down toward the end of the game.
The final whistle blew, and the lads were exhausted, a lot had gone into the game and on the face of it we hadn't got anything from it. And in terms of points on the board that's true, but in terms of perhaps finding a little more about themsleves about the amount of effort that is required in some games.
Of course effort and hardwork is one thing, but the sort of footballing sharpeness that has been lacking over recent weeks, is hard to just pull out of the bag.
Its obvious that we just can't switch football sharpness on and off, it just comes through applying the basics, through training and comittment across the whole squad.
It wasn't the loss against Leighton that stopped us from a shot at the title again, it was other below average performances in the season that was the undoing. We didn't deserve it this year, based on how we have performed across the season, the table never lies as they say.
All that said, I personally, thought that for the lads that were left on the pitch and subs on Sunday, can for the most part be proud of the rearguard action that took place on Sunday.
We still have 3 league games to see out, and a Cup Semi-Final to play for, so we still have time to put in place hopefully the learning especially from the Leighton game.
We dust ourselves down, and go again next Sunday at home against Bedford Town A.
Onwards n Upwards!