Sunday 27 January 2008 vs Creswell Parish (home)

For once it was warm and sunny up at Reignhead as we welcomed the league leaders, Creswell to our humble abode.

With 38 points from 14 games, Creswell sat remotely atop the league looking down on those below.

We had last played them back in early November and been given a hard lesson in doggedness, determination and desire to win at football.

I wanted us to steal a point from them and told the squad this in the run up to the game. We had trained up at Spinkhill on the Monday as usual, but also done an extra session on Thursday at Rainbow Forge where we had spent some time discussing tactics. One of the learning points from last time was the single-minded way they attacked, pretty much exclusively through the middle, where they rumbled relentlessly onwards right through our defence. So, my main focus was to ‘defend the defence’, to cut out as much attacking play as possible before it reached the back four. To do this, I had identified Ants and Connor Proctor, and given them a brief to hold back (to ignore any attacking tendencies) and defensively work an area across the centre of the pitch, breaking up Creswell attacks before they had chance to develop. That they did tirelessly and unselfishly says much about the way they are developing as players and getting to grips with the concept that (successful) football is not just about lining up in 4-4-2 and taking it from there.

Alex Hewitt and Mat were to work the wings – and I tried to impress on them that I really did mean to pull out wide, even if sometimes they felt a little bit uncomfortable. Danny was to push on the last man with Ross ‘in the hole’ behind him –picking up balls from midfield and feeding Danny, the wide men or going on a run himself.

But all this talk of tactics and preparation and what I contributed should not, in any way, detract from the disciplined bravery of the whole team. THEY made it work. THEY made it happen. THEY went out there and played superbly well.

OK so Creswell took the lead with a goal from a ball lofted over our defence that was, for me, clearly offside. As the first half went on, they got another from a poorly defended corner.

But that’s when the real battling started, and rather than heads going down, we fought back with goals from Mat and then from Danny to pull us level. Half time and so far so excellent.

We went out second half and I think we had them rattled. Maybe they had an eye on what had happened last time we met, but I’m certain that they didn’t expect us to go at them like we started to do! One of the real pluses from the game was that – whilst to be fair they too had a couple of chances go begging – we could have actually snatched a winner. But… that was not to be and the final whistle brought real pride, joy and satisfaction for everyone – players, parents, spectators, me and Neil - for a job well done.

Connor was ‘Man of the Match’ but once again in reality every last one of them deserved the accolade.

Sunday 13 January 2008 vs. Whiston Wildcats (home)

Another blustery afternoon up at Reignhead! We took an early lead (5 minutes in)through a long range shot from Alex Birkett and added a second soon after from Danny. From there, we battled well against both Whiston and the elements, and added a third with 20 minutes gone – Danny again. The next 20 minutes brought chances to add to the tally, but we didn’t, and half time came and went without us really beginning to dominate the game as I felt we should.

The second half picked up where the first had left off, with neither team able to get the ball down and play. There were times when our passing was excellent and if only the conditions had been better... We then gifted the visitors a soft goal from a corner and I felt that we needed another to ‘kill the game’. Ants came closest and was unlucky not to find the net.

At the end we were pleased with the win and the three points, without being truly ‘over the moon’!

As usual I’m tempted to mention all of the squad, because, as usual, they all played their part. But, this week I’ll focus on the defence:

Lew Massey was absolutely awesome – getting tackles in here, there and everywhere and giving Whiston no chance of building anything through the middle.

Alex B stood beside him and did the same and showed some good flair in going forward. What a pairing these two make!

Ollie had an excellent game and totally dominated the left flank.

On the right, Ben Simmo was particularly effective going forward.

To round of a good defensive display, Tom had an excellent game in goal. His kicking and general distribution were good, he handled well and was alert enough to sprint out and give cover at the back on a number of occasions.

Anyway, three more points in the bag.

Looking at the league table, Creswell are probably out of reach now and both Greasbrough and Wadsley Bridge will take some catching. Woodhouse remain just above us by virtue of the three points they took off us in their home game. It’s going to be an interesting run-in to the end of the season.

Sunday 6 January 2008 vs. Greasbrough (away)

I was absent for this one, but Neil said we were very ‘rusty’ after the Christmas/New Year break, and didn’t do ourselves justice. Enough said!