Thrapston Town
0 v Corby Kingswood Kestrels
5
Due to fixture congestion, today’s game was moved
from playing fields of King John, to the hallowed turf, well
mud, that is Stadio Chancery Lane.
An unfamiliar feel to today’s game then, and a big
pitch on which to square up against arguably the best side
in the league. The side knew it would be tough and they were
sent on their way with encouragement and instruction to tackle
tough and take their chances ring in their ears.
This seemed to have done the trick as Thrapston held sway
in the early encounters, rocking the Kestrels back on their
heels as they took the game by the scruff of the neck, with
Devante Hodgson using his pace to good effect, but failing
to convert one of those early chances.
Then disaster struck. With just about their first foray
in to the town half, Kingswood scored. This was just simply
one of those defensive mix ups which happen too frequently
for them to be entirely unfortuitous, and it knocked the
wind from Town’s sails.
A second goal came when the ball was allowed to drop in
the area, without challenge – what was it that we said
before the game??? So half time and Town two nil down.
In the second half Thrapston put together some good moves,
with Hodgson having a number of chances to score, as he linked
well with Mssrs Alsop and Cummins, and the hard working Luke
Rivett as it looked like Town were getting to grips with
the wide open spaces presented by this bigger pitch.
However, all this work was undone with three more softish
goals at the other end, when either the side didn’t
challenge, or failed to work back to provide cover, as the
Kestrels ran up their five goal lead, while Alex Vitue was
called upon to make some good saves to keep the score respectable.
So, plenty to look at from this result……
Firstly, teams higher in the division will have worried
the Kestrels goal less than Town did today. However, against
good teams with good keepers, you have to convert chances,
and today Town didn’t.
Secondly, there is no disgrace in loosing to Kingswood.
They are a big strong side that play good football, and if
the best team in the league wins the league this season,
then they will finish top. Thrapston will play worse and
win before the season is through.
Thirdly, and this is where we do need to see improvement
is in that first to the ball mentality. In the same way that
the Kop dream and sing about having a “team of Carraghers”,
so we need a team full of people with the desire of Connor
Morson to get that ball and set things in motion. This was
the disappointing thing today – we know it exists,
as we have seen it against Burton, Earls Barton and Castle
Rise – can everyone please look under their bed to
see if it is lurking there before next weeks match.
Final score Thrapston Nul, Corby Kingswood Kestrels Five.
MOTM – despite a heavy defeat, a lot of positives
emerged today, which were then overshadowed by some sloppyness
in other areas. However, for his constant running and work
rate, and for the way in which he linked the play between
midfield and attack the MOTM today was Luke Rivett.
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