Twin Oaks FC U14's V Horsham Sparrows

Horsham Park

Sunshine, a decent if not a little undulating pitch, and 13 players who played superbly together without complaint at the constant changes being made, and positivity in the appreciation of each others performance. I know that this may not last but let us appreciate it whilst it does!

A 9-1 win may sound like an easy win, but as James said “you can only beat what is put in front of you”. In the first 10-15 minutes the opposition defended stoutly and it looked as though it may become a frustrating day. Then Liam after a sustained period of pressure placed a shot from the edge of the area low to the keepers left hand side.

Shortly after it became 2-0 when Sam scored, and Jack added a third just prior to half time with an excellent low drive to the keepers right hand side.

The pattern of our play was better than hoped for. We did not panic and although they were competitive we slowly overcame them, and out muscled them which is not something that we have done previously. Once superiority was gained we then started to move the ball from defence to attack with neat passing play.

At the heart of the defence we changed from four at the back to 3, back to 4 and then back to 3 players and you adapted excellently. The team as a whole I feel are confident in the strength of the defence as a unit. I particularly like how Elliot, Luke, Connor, Shaun and Jason have the confidence to play the ball and support each other rather than just kick the ball long.

Jack played with strength and his short passing has improved significantly since the friendlies. Jerome also in midfield probed the oppositions defence and worked diligently.

The second half became one way traffic. We passed accurately and fluently. Further goals from Sam, Ross, Ellias scoring 2 with the second being after a powerful run from Luke down the left side of the pitch, cutting in and shooting powerfully and Ellias tapping home the keepers parry.

Lewis as ever had a party piece to add with a delicately chipped goal for seven, and Liam finished what he had started with a drilled shot from the right hand side of the box past the keepers diving right hand and in to the bottom right hand side of the goal.

There is no doubt that we will play stronger teams, but if we continue to play with tenacity, skill and pace then we will do well I hope this season.

Finally, I would like to add a word of appreciation for Matt today. You may feel that he did not have a lot to do but what he did do was done well. His distribution to the defence was excellent as was his dominance of the goal area and surrounds which is a lot to ask when you have players the size that we have bearing down upon you!

Next week we have a score to settle with Copthorne.

Team:: Matt, Luke, Connor, Elliot, Shaun, Josh, Jerome, Ellias, Liam, Sam, Louis, Ross, Jack.

Goalscorers -
Liam x 2
Ellias x 2
Sam x 2
Jack
Ross
Lewis

Man of the Match -