Sometimes things just don't work out the way you plan them. I had it all mapped out - who would start, the formation we’d use, how we would play...
A few of the players are ex-Brinsworth and I wanted to give them a start so that they could show their old team just what they’re missing!
Secondly – and no disrespect to them – Brinsworth haven't exactly set the league alight this season, so I thought I'd also give a start to one or two who have been coming on from the bench lately.
To cap it all off, I wanted to go for an attacking 4-3-3 formation that would encourage us to move the ball around and play good fluid football, and bag a sackful of goals!
But the weather got worse and worse and worse. Not only was there the driving rain that had been hanging about for most of the morning, this had been joined by a gusty wind that turned fine balls played out of defence to a wide player on the flanks into throw ins. Accurate shots at goal went behind. Balls were in trees, in gardens, over into the school, but seldom down on the ground as part of a flowing move. It was a game that totally brought everyone down to the same level, and I was actually relieved when we went in at half time two in front.
Everyone knuckled down and applied themselves and all came out of the game with credit. We added four more in the second half and they grabbed a late consolation: a strange goal where all of our defenders seemed to have dozed off. Maybe they were dreaming of a hot bath and a large whiskey – I know I was by that stage!
A few quick mentions – Alex B solid at the back as usual, Ollie worked a few magic tricks down the left. Lew, Joe and Connor all dug in and battled well to keep them at bay. Ben was also in fine form at the back - on the left and on the right - and never faltered from the task in hand.
Ants and Will worked tirelessly and unselfishly in midfield on a day that didn't really suit their game. Alex (Twig) attacked with class and intelligence, as did Mat when he came on in the second half.
Sam, Ross, Danny and Tom chased down balls all afternoon, and all except Sam and Tom got some reward for their hard work.
Nick came into his own in the second half – pulling off some good saves and being brave at the feet of attackers, when they could have embarrassed us further.
So we got the result we wanted albeit under different circumstances than I'd imagined. Despite last week, it’s still 9 points from 4 games. Next week is a real 'tester' - Wadsley Bridge away. Both me and Neil felt they nicked it from us back in September, but there’s no denying they’re a good team so we’ll have to be at our very best. Bring it on!
Monday, 3 December 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)