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
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