Normal service was resumed this morning in a closely contested game against our friends Woodcote Wanderers. Woodcote are no longer team to be taken lightly as their 3-1 victory over Hilliers Athletic, last week demonstrates, and today they put up stiff resistance to Grange Rovers.
In the first half Jack D, between the sticks only had a couple of saves to make and the newly nicknamed fearsome foursome of Sean, Tyrell Jack B and new signing Noah lived up to that name, terrorising the Woodcote forward line. Not much got through and in front of them Riley and Adam found their feet as a central midfield partnership. With the side still adapting to the 11-a-side game with Tommy starting on the right and Dorell on the left side, they still need to work on the interplay between the fullbacks and the wide midfield players but both works tirelessly up-and-down the wings.
Upfront Josh and livewire Alfie tried to find a way through a solid light blue defence.
After a couple of miscues and some stout defending by the light blues Alfie netted his first, half way through the first half, bundling through a crowded box to slot home.
The blues responded well and Mus saw his first action of the game as Sean came off, winded, having caught the ball full in the chest.
In the second half Adam went in goal and while he had little to do, when he was called upon he did very well. Jack F entered the fray first one wing than the other, and finally as a makeshift right back he seems to have found his stride again and ran hard all half. Luke came on up top alongside Alfie and was unlucky to get one of his own after a shot was parried and fell to him in the 6 yard box.
While blues weren't getting many chances of their own they were certainly making it very difficult for Rovers. They harried and close them down but with Jack D and Riley back together in centre of midfield the tide started to turn, Rovers were winning balls there and easily behind them as Noah and Jack B formed a formidable centre back partnership. After a couple of long-range efforts it was late in the game when Alfie made it to after a surging run from Riley was rebuffed Alfie received a long punt up field, single-handedly dismantled the light blue defence and struck for a second which Woodcote probably didn't deserve, for all their industry.
The third was a drive from just inside the box from a narrow angle, and Rovers were back after the disappointment of last week.
Despite the Hat-trick the man of the match was given to new boy Noah to a solid defensive performance. The team had it's steel back today and that is due in no small part to the physical presence of the debutant.
Woodcote and Grange often train together and many friendships have been forged between the two sides. The match was played in a great spirit and we wish them well for the rest of the season.
It remains to me to thank Ian Cross for stepping in as Ref and doing a splendid job. So good we may call on him again!
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Sunday, 21 September 2014
A DIFFICULT START-JUST LIKE LAST SEASON
Grange Rovers 0-8 Carew Rangers
MOTM: Riley
Grange Rovers started the game at a disadvantage having only 10 players. Sean volunteered to go to between the sticks and Jack B pulled on the captains arm band as Brad and Chris tried to settle on a formation.
The step up from 9-a-side to 11-a-side made more difficult by some absences, some planned, some through injury and others a surprise to the team.
Hoping to take advantage of the brand-new Carew team's first game together, Rovers initially gambled on 3-4-2 formation.
It became clear that this gamble wasn't working with Carew overrunning the Rovers midfield and putting pressure on the defence scoring two in quick succession and having third ruled out for offside.
You can't have help wondering whether Alfie's early strike which hit the post might have changed the psyche of the two teams early on.
In making a brave saving tackle to prevent a fourth Jack B aggravated an injury picked up in his school's match the previous day and had to leave the field of play. This left Rovers with nine players against Carew Rangers' 11 and Josh swapped gloves with Sean to allow the returning player to resume his position as a central defender.
By half time Rovers were five goals and two players down and looking ragged.
Jack B volunteered to try playing in goal for the second half in order to bring the team back up to 10 players only one short of the number needed to match Carew's 11. Not only did Carew have a numerical advantage on the pitch but also their three subs rolled on and off to great effect keeping them fresh and really stretching the beleaguered Rovers defence.
Riley and Jack D both started to see a little more ball in the second half and fought hard to win some control back in the middle of the park. Riley's bulldog spirit meant he just pipped Jack D to Rovers man of the match.
Alfie and Luke were full of running up front but did not see sufficient service with blue shirts swamping the midfield. New addition Adam playing at the heart of the defence looks to be a good acquisition with his reading of the game and deft touches, he just chose the wrong game for his Rovers debut.
It was another brave tackle which finished the game for Josh, running back from midfield and sliding in to prevent a certain goal, he caught a stud below his shin-pad. We are waiting to hear how he is doing- Hope all is well Josh.
Dorrell showed moments of his customary guile, but did not see enough of the ball to make a major impact, Jack F ran hard while filling in as a full back, uncomplaining in a position in which he is unfamiliar.
Lessons to Learn
We have Mus, Tyrell, Tommy and hopefully Hayden to add to the squad and Millie is going to train with us next week so we shouldn't be short manned again.
Adam looks a good acquisition.
We already know Grange Rovers have bounce-back-ability and that's what we'll do.
Last season we lost on the opening day, conceded 6. We went on to finish second in the league, only falling short of winning it on the last day of the season and were losing finalists in both the cup and the five-a-side tournament, only losing one game in the later tournament, the final, on penalties.
HEADS UP, NEXT WEEK WE GO AGAIN.
COME ON YOU ORANGES
MOTM: Riley
Grange Rovers started the game at a disadvantage having only 10 players. Sean volunteered to go to between the sticks and Jack B pulled on the captains arm band as Brad and Chris tried to settle on a formation.
The step up from 9-a-side to 11-a-side made more difficult by some absences, some planned, some through injury and others a surprise to the team.
Hoping to take advantage of the brand-new Carew team's first game together, Rovers initially gambled on 3-4-2 formation.
It became clear that this gamble wasn't working with Carew overrunning the Rovers midfield and putting pressure on the defence scoring two in quick succession and having third ruled out for offside.
You can't have help wondering whether Alfie's early strike which hit the post might have changed the psyche of the two teams early on.
In making a brave saving tackle to prevent a fourth Jack B aggravated an injury picked up in his school's match the previous day and had to leave the field of play. This left Rovers with nine players against Carew Rangers' 11 and Josh swapped gloves with Sean to allow the returning player to resume his position as a central defender.
By half time Rovers were five goals and two players down and looking ragged.
Jack B volunteered to try playing in goal for the second half in order to bring the team back up to 10 players only one short of the number needed to match Carew's 11. Not only did Carew have a numerical advantage on the pitch but also their three subs rolled on and off to great effect keeping them fresh and really stretching the beleaguered Rovers defence.
Riley and Jack D both started to see a little more ball in the second half and fought hard to win some control back in the middle of the park. Riley's bulldog spirit meant he just pipped Jack D to Rovers man of the match.
Alfie and Luke were full of running up front but did not see sufficient service with blue shirts swamping the midfield. New addition Adam playing at the heart of the defence looks to be a good acquisition with his reading of the game and deft touches, he just chose the wrong game for his Rovers debut.
It was another brave tackle which finished the game for Josh, running back from midfield and sliding in to prevent a certain goal, he caught a stud below his shin-pad. We are waiting to hear how he is doing- Hope all is well Josh.
Dorrell showed moments of his customary guile, but did not see enough of the ball to make a major impact, Jack F ran hard while filling in as a full back, uncomplaining in a position in which he is unfamiliar.
Lessons to Learn
- If you concede early on, keep your heads up, encourage each other and go again.
- If one of the opposition players is capable of running from midfield and shooting from distance, close him down don't back off.
- Play to the whistle..
Positives
We have Mus, Tyrell, Tommy and hopefully Hayden to add to the squad and Millie is going to train with us next week so we shouldn't be short manned again.
Adam looks a good acquisition.
We already know Grange Rovers have bounce-back-ability and that's what we'll do.
Last season we lost on the opening day, conceded 6. We went on to finish second in the league, only falling short of winning it on the last day of the season and were losing finalists in both the cup and the five-a-side tournament, only losing one game in the later tournament, the final, on penalties.
HEADS UP, NEXT WEEK WE GO AGAIN.
COME ON YOU ORANGES
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)