Thrapston Town Yellow 1 v Ise Lodge Falcons 6
Sooner or later I had to use that favorite of football cliché’s ‘a game of two halves’….and today has seemed like the most appropriate game so far. (Immediate apologies for this).
As far as the football goes it is a shame that we’ve had such a long Christmas break. Before the holiday’s we were playing as a team….with great marking, passing, movement off the ball etc. Sadly (and temporarily) we forgot all of this in the first half and gave Ise lodge far too much time and space – which was used to maximum effect. Half time saw us 5 down. Enough of that.
The second half was fantastic!
Despite the half time score-line the boys really attacked the game in the second half. Every tackle was contested, each loose ball fought for. Importantly, we made sure that the Ise players did not have the time and space that they’d enjoyed in the first half through much better marking. It was great to see players helping others out on the pitch by telling them which opposition player to mark. You could sense that some of the Ise players were getting frustrated. Our teamwork was outstanding.
However, perhaps the most pleasing aspect was the fact that we went forward and took the game to Ise Lodge. The were many attacks during the second half created by excellent midfield link play, individual breakaways and good accurate passing.
It was a break down the left that led to our goal. Good work from Harry led to a bouncing ball arriving with Sam who (with great accuracy and skill) lobbed the goalkeeper.
I’ve spoken before about the fact that the boys should have confidence and belief in themselves. This was evident in the second half and their play was transformed from that in the first.
Going into next week Mark and I want to leave the boys with this thought: We were all aware before the match that the Falcons are one of the best teams we play. We drew the second half 1-1.
It was a great achievement. Well done Boys!
|
