Twin Oaks FC U13's V East Grinstead Town

Mount Noddy Recreation Ground

It felt like Christmas morning! You know how it is with anticipation and excitement of something new and different. A football match that was playable, without too much sun, rain, snow, or other excesses.

I thought on Friday my biggest headache was going to be having enough team to select from with Jack being unavailable, Elliot having a school match, Shaun not really 100%, then Jason with a suspected broken nose!

I had felt that we would have a tough time adjusting back to 11 a side after such a significant break as although we have trained, astro-turf is no substitute for grass, and neither is 6 a side on a small pitch with no bobbles a substitute for mud and a full game. East Grinstead had the opportunity to play last week and both James and I felt that would help them.

We started very well with Ellias back in tandem with Jerome, although short lived with Jerome coming off sick after 20 minutes or so. We took the game to the opposition from the off, with Elliot and Lewis rampaging down the left hand side and getting crosses in. Jerome and Ellias too were getting forward although with our finishing on all fronts proving high, or wide, or limp and straight at the keeper who did well.

On the right hand side Josh and Ryan were holding the ball nicely, although I will desperately encourage Ryan forward down the line to provide similar overlaps to Elliot on the right as he has the touch to do so but maybe not yet the confidence.

Early on we had one on ones with their keeper which maybe if we had played every week we may have converted. Also the fact that we had so much pressure meant that the opposition midfield pushed back, condensing the play and it lead to very little space to play short balls through to Tom, Sam, or George taking turns in attack. George did well chasing down the opposition defence on numerous occasions. James and I are determined that he’ll have fast feet by the end of the season!!

Shaun also played 20 minutes today and did exceptionally well particularly playing with his head up and looking for passes both short and long, and getting forward on one occasion for a shot from the edge of the area that went wide.

Charlie and Connor at centre back were not that troubled throughout the first half and both did well when called upon. Charlie is adapting well and starting to compete for the ball. Sam R also held his position very well allowing Lewis and Elliot to roam freely forward ahead of him.

I was not surprised to see the first half remain goalless. James and I reminded the boys to remain patient as we had plenty of chances but were obviously a little ring rusty.

The second half continued in the same vein with our holding probably 75% of the possession of the ball, and eventually after 10 minutes of the second half Sam was put through by Ellias after a passing movement involving Lewis and Sam slotted home. If that goal had come at a similar point in the first half then I think the scoreline would have been closer to how our last match finished with East Grinstead .

Shortly after Lewis was brought down in the area for a penalty. I think we should take note from Thierry Henry who when he’d won a penalty would never take it, as Lewis with glory being in reach and a second goal in the offing for the season decided that power and unfortunately height were required. I have yet to retrieve that ball and I suspect that the forecast snow may help bring it ground wards! Still, shortly after he made up for his misdemeanour with the short sharp feet that we expect to see from him and a neat finish to suit.

Sam R got forward to get in on the act and drove just wide after a corner fell to him on the edge of the box. Ellias put a header narrowly wide and we continued to pressurise. Tom almost added his first but was thwarted by their goalkeeper who parried on to the bar and Elliot finished off at short range for the third goal.

The fourth goal also came from exerted pressure with the ball falling to Josh who followed up sweetly to bring the score to 4-0.

The score could have been significantly greater but for a number of reasons, firstly our being very ring rusty and although the shape of play particularly in the first half was good maybe it was not as sharp as we expect. Secondly, I feel the East Grinstead goalkeeper played exceptionally well, and finally due to the numerous changes that I made with a view to trying to get everyone reasonable playing time.

Both James and I are really happy with the overall commitment shown throughout the game. However, soon we must start to think faster, support quicker and shoot harder as tougher tasks will come.

I am looking forward to next week already.

Finally, could someone tell me if Matt played today, I do recall someone with a green shirt on but that may have been the Groundsman!!!!!

Sorry Matt

Goalscorers -
Sam
Louis
Josh
Elliot

Man of the Match -