Beighton Falcons Notes

Sunday 16 March 2008 vs. Oxspring United (away)

2008-03-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

With a lot of rain yesterday and overnight, the pitch was never going to be wonderful, but the quagmire that awaited us in the wilds of Oxspring was something else! Real mud-puddles and boggy holes in both goalmouths, and a strip of churned mud right through the middle, all down the length. The only decent part was the wing (on our right as we kicked towards the 'road end' in the first half).

The game? A scrappy, mucky, sticky, dirty affair - not football as we know it. Anxious too, as the ball continually stopped dead in the mire and players lashed wildly trying to clear their lines.

We took the lead through a Danny Tinsley shot that beat the keeper and, on another day, would be down in the books as Danny's goal. However, the mud conspired to take the sting out of the shot, and, even though it had by this time beat the keeper, it slowed to a trickle, and it was Conor (right place, right time) who put it in the net.

Conor had a storming game throughout, but early in the second half the referee (don't get me started just yet!) gave an absolutely ludicrous penalty for a goalmouth scramble that ended with one of their players losing his feet and then sent Conor off for bringing him down! No way, no chance, not in your wildest dreams, ref! But 1 - 1 it was then.

Then Sam put us back in front with about 30 minutes of the half gone. And what did we do? Having defended so well, for so long, we let them straight back in! Two apiece!

And so the two teams battled it out on this corner of Oxspring that will forever be mud (or so it seems)and maybe a draw was a fair result in the end. Maybe?!

The referee was a young man in his mid-teens (I would guess) who gave us nowt all day. Throw ins? Forget it. Free kicks - no way! Offsides - well yes he gave a lot of those against us (some valid, some absolutely not). To be fair Chris the Oxspring manager, told me afterwards that he too thought there had been some very poor calls against us. But but hey-ho - that's life, that's football, and we wound our way home over the hills and moors - older, wiser and much, much muddier that before!

Sunday 9 March 2008 vs. Wadsley Bridge (away)

2008-03-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

Across the city to Hillsborough on a sunny afternoon for our penultimate game, and this with a 4th place finish in the league at stake!

There are only 2 pitches at the Niagara ground and both are in demand. There are always teams on there all through the weekend, and, as we arrived, a game was just finishing on the pitch we were due to play on. The surface we found was a heavy and churned up in places, particularly through the middle.

The game kicked off and it was immediately apparent that Wadsley were well fired up. On the other hand, whilst we did nothing particularly wrong, we seemed to be lacking urgency and determination.

With 15 minutes gone, they won a free kick some way outside our area, and to the right of the goal. This brought a thunderous shot - that was pretty much unstoppable - to the far top comer of our net. They had the lead.

That’s not to say we didn’t have our own scoring chances. When we got the ball down and played, we created three or four clear opportunities that sadly went begging. To make matters worse a well-hit shot from open play took them two-nil in front after 20 minutes.

Alex Hewitt got caught going into a tackle and had to come off with a badly bruised ankle. Sadly, he played no further part. Will went on and had an immediate impact, with a strong performance in midfield.

We reached half time with hope. Daft as it may seem, we could actually have been winning if (big 'if') - having worked hard to create chances – we could actually get the ball in the net! The halftime message was to get more competitive. On several occasions we had seen Wadsley players get their bodies in front of the ball (shots etc.) whilst, under similar circumstances, we were ducking and turning away. Tom was struggling at half time and Nick replaced him in the net.

The second half was better and Sam, with 15 minutes of the half gone, broke free and put us back in the game.

Then disaster! Totally out of character, Ben Simmo reacted badly to a challenge by going straight back into another with his foot high and his studs showing. Red card! Naturally, we had to re-organise and Ross pushed back to provide cover in the back line.

With tiredness creeping in to both sides, there were still chances to be had, and hope 'sprung eternal' (as the old saying goes) until we conceded a 'soft' third goal from a corner. Throwing caution to the wind we went at them with 3 attackers but, frustratingly, got no more reward for our efforts.

On reflection, Lew, Alex Birkett and Ollie were solid as usual at the back. In midfield Ants, Conor and Joe ran themselves into the ground for the cause. Danny toiled relentless upfront and Sam added pace in the second half. Ross was consistent throughout the game whether upfront, in midfield or at the back. Alex Hewitt and Matt brought flashes of creativity. Ben had battled well until the 'red mist' descended!

A lesson learned. On the verge of leaving the Junior League and stepping up to Under 18s, hopefully games like these will help shape and develop them for the future.

Sunday 2 March 2008 vs. Brinsworth Juniors (away)

2008-03-06T06:20:00.001-08:00

And so back to Outokumpu! This is where our season should have started on a warm Sunday back in early September. However, we had arrived then to find that the goalposts had not been put up and that they appeared generally unprepared for a game of football. Game postponed!

Their early 'poor' start to the season was reflected in their league position (foot of the table), but their position also belied the progress they had made recently - 4 draws and one defeat since Christmas, suggesting they had perhaps 'turned the corner'.

We tarted with a 4-3-3 formation, with Sam once again joining Ross & Danny upfront. Connor, Ants and Mat were in midfield and in front of the usual back four (Ben, Lew, Alex B and Ollie). Nick in goal.

It immediately became apparent that they were indeed not just there to make up the numbers and they matched us throughout a hard-fought first half. The only noteworthy point in the half relates to the attitude of the referee, but I'll say no more about that here!

The second half was much of the same with the Brinsworth goalkeeper in particular catching the eye through some excellent saves and an absolute dedication to making sure we didn't score. Then... breakthrough. Ross put us in front with 15 minutes gone. And from then, focus of the battle shifted slightly to 'holding what we had'. When changes were made, Chris, Joe, and Tom (in attack!)all did their bit too.

And 'hold' it we did to come away with another hard-earned 3 points. Hats of to all of them again for their effort and determination. I have seen teams wilt under the sort of pressure they faced and dealt with this afternoon.

Another game that will stay in the memory due to our attitude rather than 'pretty football'.

Sunday 24 February 2008 vs. Whiston Wildcats (away)

2008-02-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

Up on Guilthwaite Hill on a cold and windy afternoon for our last game in February.

I had decided on a bit of squad rotation in order to give a start to one or two who had been coming on from the bench lately.

Having had a weekend off due to the bad weather, we were slow to start and struggled to find any rhythm or tempo. It was all very scrappy with no one being able to take command and move the ball to where it should be in order for us to make progress.

It was Sam Whittaker who broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal fifteen minutes in. We couldn’t seem to build on this, however, and the game reverted back to an untidy to-and-fro affair.

In accommodating the players I had wanted to start, I’d finally come to the conclusion that a 4-3-3 was the best formation; three up front, but with Ross sitting a little deeper than Sam and Danny. Joe and Chris were working the flanks, with Will holding midfield. To be honest, this was leaving us a little bit exposed through the middle, and Whiston began to exploit this more and more as the half wore on. I was just about to strengthen midfield when Ross got a second for us with 30 minutes gone.

At half time Neil and I spoke about the need to compete more and be stronger when going into tackles.

I put Ants on in midfield with Will, and we hadn’t been going again for very long when Sam netted his second and our third. This was better, and we were a lot more cohesive now with the two commanding central midfield. I started making the other substitutions that I’d mapped out - Alex Hewitt for Joe, Mat for Chris, Connor for Will. All of this freshened us up, but it must be said that all of those who came off had worked hard and played their part well. I was particularly disappointed for Joe who had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.

And then we went to sleep at the back and let in a ‘soft’ goal when nobody was paying attention. To be honest, I didn’t even see it as I was talking to one of the players who had just come off. Still Danny and Sam - supported by Ross, Alex and Mat - were creating some good openings, and I was really pleased when Sam rounded off his hat trick. From then on it was pretty much one way traffic, and perhaps only tiredness creeping in on a cold day prevented us from adding to our haul.

Anyway, another three points in the bag. Excellent performances from Tom, Ben and Ollie (who nearly curled a free-kick in late on), and Lew and Alex were as unshakeable as ever. Connor and Ants snapped and snarled and bossed midfield, and Ross and Danny toiled tirelessly.

Although it hadn’t been a ‘beautiful’ game, no matter - 26 points now and just 3 behind Wadsley Bridge (in fourth place), and us with a game in hand!

Sunday 10 February 2008 vs. Woodhouse Juniors (home)

2008-02-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

"You were lucky today," said one of the opposition parents as I walked over to complete the matchcard after the game. Such lack of grace took me by surprise and it was only later that I thought of what my reply should have been; "Yes, I was lucky! Lucky to have the best team on the pitch. Lucky to have a squad of players willing to work their socks off without whingeing all the time…"

Yes, I got the distinct impression that Woodhouse didn’t like the fact that we beat them. Beat them fair and square. A three-goals-to-one scoreline doesn’t lie, and they didn’t like it. A couple of incidents illustrated this, but - hey, they’re gone – and we’ve got the three points in the bag.

Credit to all of the team again, they dug in a found that extra 'something' when it was needed. Chris Sykes got 'Man of the Match' and this was his best performance of the season so far.

A brief run through of performance would look something like this:

Goalkeeper – excellent, always in the right place at the right time.
Defence – solid and unmovable
Midfield – determined and relentless
Attack – tireless in the pursuit of the next goal

We went behind early from another debateable 'offside goal', and had to fight our way back from there.

A first half goal from Connor had us level by half time, and again the team talk was about giving 'more of the same'. And they did, only better. Another goal with 20 minutes gone from Oliie gave us daylight and I steadied myself for one of those white-knuckle finishes that doesn’t do the heart-rate any good! But no need – a third goal from Danny with 5 minutes to go and that was that. Goodnight, Woodhouse!

It had been a warm and sunny afternoon, and, as we packed away the nets and corner flags from our last home game of the season, the sun was still shining brightly over the yellow and blue half of Beighton.

Sunday 3 February 2008 vs. Thurcroft Tornados (away)

2008-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Thurcroft! Not so far out into rural Rotherham, but it felt like we’d gone miles by the time we arrived there on yet another overcast, cold and windy afternoon. A quick look at the pitch revealed a typical February field that wasn’t very encouraging in terms of playing an accurate passing game.

The game had some exciting phases and some dour spells as we fought our way through a frustrating 2-2 draw. Despite conceding early on, we were on top for much of the game, particularly in the second half with the wind at our backs. We just couldn’t put away our chances! And a - doubtful, in my view - penalty against us was the icing on the cake on an afternoon that won’t linger in the memory.

Ollie got 'Man of the Match' from Neil, but, to be fair, everybody played their part without anyone really excelling.

I was impressed by the referee – Bob - who was strict, but fair and approachable (still disagree about the penalty though, Bob).

Two points dropped?

Sunday 27 January 2008 vs Creswell Parish (home)

2008-01-28T09:19:00.000-08:00

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)

2008-01-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

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)

2008-01-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

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!

Sunday 2 December 2007 vs. Brinsworth Whitehill (home)

2007-12-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

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!

Sunday 25 November 2007 vs. Woodhouse (away)

2007-11-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Neil commented on it before the game. Had we got too complacent? We were coming into this game on the back of two excellent performances in which we’d scored 12 goals and conceded just 1. Maybe we turned up at Woodhouse thinking we just had to stroll about a bit?

On the other hand, it’s sometimes about 'luck' or should I say the lack of it. We all know the days when you get up and cut yourself shaving, spill toothpaste all over the floor and the button comes off your shirt, and you get the feeling it’s going to be one of those days.

I’d already got it in mind to start with Tom in goal, and Nick being unavailable decided that particular issue. It was, then, ridiculously unfortunate and symptomatic of the day that Tom took a bad knock in the first five minutes (as part of the lead up to their first goal) and had to come off. This meant that Ross had a brave go at 'keeping in the first half and an already injured Ollie put on the jersey for the second half.

But back to the luck, 'cos there was more of it to come! We hit the bar, the post, flashed a couple just over the top, missed a penalty - more luck than you get in a season full of games, and all of it 'bad'.

We were 3-5 down at half time, but with the slope of the pitch now in our favour, I still thought the game was winnable.

But once again we were found out by a lack of commitment, like the 50/50 balls where Woodhouse went into tackles as though they MUST win the ball, and we didn’t. And all of their goals were daft, silly efforts that shouldn’t have happened. No fault of Ross or Ollie who did their best in difficult circumstances.

The best player for us was Ants who worked tirelessly in midfield, and through whom most of our best chances seemed to come.

We have some excellent footballers and when we hit our stride and start to move the ball about, we are a joy to watch and also very deadly. But…we don’t have a natural 'thug' – someone who can sit in midfield and break up their play and adopt a 'they shall not pass' attitude. Teams like Woodhouse sense this and exploit it. To sum up our opponents, they were generally fair but uncompromising, and I have no fond memories of the game, whichever way you look at it

An afternoon to forget, then? No we shouldn’t do that. It was an afternoon to remember. Let’s remember it so we don’t go down the same road again!

Sunday 18 November 2007 vs. Owls Trust (home)

2007-11-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

It doesn’t seem so long ago since we were playing on warm sunny days and worrying about players over-heating! This was a wet, windy and murky Sunday afternoon up at Reignhead, and our main concern was keeping warm and whether the ref would turn up!

Now Owls Trust can be a difficult side to play against, they invariably have some skilful players and are quite capable of punishing you if you don’t pay attention to the details. Having beaten them once already this season, there was nothing to fear other than us adopting a "this’ll be easy" approach. We needed to bring last week’s grit and determination into this game, and stamp our authority on it, early doors.

Finally the ref. arrived (traffic had been bad) and we kicked off. Almost immediately we began to dictate the pace and shape of the game, and took an early lead through Ross with 5 minutes gone. I was well proud of them as they went about their task of clinically "killing off the game" – the sign of a team that is maturing all the time.

Three more goals - Danny (15 mins.), Ross (30 mins.) and Will (35 mins.) and we reached half time in a really commanding position. In the team-talk we didn’t need to say much beyond, "more of the same, please".

And that’s what we did – only better! Second half goals from Ross (3 more), Danny (2 more) and Sam, and we were coasting. The only slight concern was the number of chances we created and missed! Still, no complaints from me - we were cool, calm and collected, and let our football do the talking for us. As I’ve said before, it’s not just goals that win games and the clean sheet was testimony to the hard work of everyone.

The only downside to the game was that one of the Owls Trust lads took a bad knock in the last minute, and unfortunately this later turned out to be a fracture.

Another good result and another excellent all-round team performance. We picked out Ross & Danny for Man of the Match but in truth it could have been several of the team.

So… our “Five Games to Christmas” run continues. Six points from six so far!

Sunday 11 November 2007 vs. Thurcroft Tornados (home)

2007-11-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

At Monday’s training session we’d discussed the fact that there were 5 games to go before the Christmas/New Year break, and that these were 5 games we could (and should) win. Fifteen points there for the taking! The big question to them was "How much do you want them?"

And this was the message that me and Neil gave them again before kick off. We asked for something extra and I was specific in so far as 'lose, draw or win' I wouldn’t be happy with them if they hadn’t put the effort in. This was not the time for a stroll in the park!

To their credit – they took this on board and set off like a team determined. Thurcroft were the only team (up to that point) to have taken anything from the league leaders, Cresswell. When talking to their manager before the game, "fitness and fight" was what he said had got them a point.

Off we went and ten minutes or so into the game it became one way traffic. We were pressing hard, with chances on goal from open play and from set plays too. The goods news was that we were getting stuck in AND playing good football. The only concern was one of the oldest 'sods law'/football curses - the team that has all the play is then punished by a breakaway goal totally against the run of things.

But we kept going and on 30 minutes we got our reward through the ever-dangerous Danny Tinsley. Danny and Ross Revill were unstoppable through the middle. With Alex H and Mat working magic down the wings, and Ants turning on the style in the middle, everything was going our way, and we got a second through Will five minutes before half time. Although this was the crowning moment of Will's effectiveness going forward, his real contribution was the grit and determination he showed in bossing the midfield. A Captain leading by example.

Half time came and so far, so good.

After the restart, we picked up where we had left off, until one of the Thurcroft lads took a bad knock in a 50/50 challenge. It was the five or so minutes stoppage that seemed to affect us and spoil our concentration, and we were pushed back for a good while, just as they had been in the first half. They pulled a goal back and it became a real test of character for our lot.

So far I’ve not mentioned the defence. Tom was handling it all brilliantly and making some fine saves. Ben Simmo and Ollie were solid at full back and the sheer presence of Lew (another massive performance) and Alex B (strength plus skill) got us through this tricky patch.

We started playing good football again and I put on Chris and Sam for Alex and Mat on the wings. The quality didn’t dip and Chris, Ross and Danny were involved in a move that saw us put the ball in the net again only to be ruled offside. Connor went on to sit in front of the back for and did a good job there as we 'dug deep' to see ourselves home to a well-deserved win.

Credit due to everyone, there was a real difference in how they approached this game. Put simply – for all of the previous games, they had turned up, listened to what we had to say and then gone out and played football (some of it good, some of it not so good). Today they went out and applied themselves to winning a game of football. Doing that, was, of course, still about playing the game, but they all went onto that pitch with a determination to compete and battle for every ball and every opportunity and not to let them get the better of us. They were all excellent and 'came of age' as a football team (as opposed to being just a collection of good players).

Sunday 4 November 2007 vs. Creswell Parish (away)

2007-11-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Creswell were top of the league before the game. We travelled out on a sunny afternoon to our most distant league game. The Old Cricket Ground in Creswell. I don't know the last time a game of cricket was played on this surface, but the grass was longer than our back lawn, which itself is like a prairie! Not a pitch for silky Henri-like football then!

No excuses though, the best football came from the home side, and, more worryingly, they out-muscled us for everything. I've really not a lot to say about the game, it was 80 minutes of dedication and commitment, and the side that wanted the result the most got it. Nothing spectacular, nothing wonderful -it was a hard slog and hopefully we will have learned from it.

I started to bend the ear of one or two of them at half time, but took a look at the face of our captain (Will) - streaming with sweat, and knew that it wasn't through lack of trying.

The last goal was just rubbing our noses in it, though. Their attacker was well offside, and I don't mean it to sound like sour grapes, he was bang-to-rights. But no whistle and I embarassed myself by getting wound up and shouting some nonsense like "that's why you're ***** ing top of the league"! I'll keep that in to try to give a taste for the kind of frustrating afternoon that we had.

And we surely all got frustrated - me and Neil,parents, subs - everyone. But after the game there was absolutely no point in a rant, it would have achieved nowt. So I sent them home with nothing other than: "think about your own performance here, think about how we played as a team and we'll talk tomorrow (training)"

The score? We lost 0-5 and Creswell were still top of the league as we drove away.

Sunday 28 October 2007 vs. Oxspring United (home)

2007-10-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness it stopped raining. As I'd looked out of the window in the morning, it seemed like it might be one of those days of battling away in driving rain. But when we turned up at Reignhead the sun was shining. Our opponents today are Oxspring United from way up north!

We started strongly and were in front through Ross after 5 minutes. We could’ve had 3 or 4 more with some good attacking work from Ross and Danny, and Chris hit a scorcher which forced their keeper into his best save of the game, as he parried it round the post.

Defence were pretty solid with Joe and Ben holding the flanks and Alex Birkett and Lew unbeatable in the middle. I can’t leave out midfield – Will and Chris were tireless in the heart of midfield, and Alex Hewitt and Mat worked some magic down the wings.

At half time, we were definitely worth our one goal lead – but, it ought to have been more, and they’d rallied in the last five and caused us a few tricky moments.

The re-start came with play see-sawing between us and them – we need a second! Then one of their defenders handled in the box and Danny stepped up cool as you like to give us some daylight and breathing space. Chris seemed to be tiring so Connor went on with instructions to sit just in front of the back four and “break it up”. He did that most of the time. Actually, I couldn’t fault him the one time he didn’t stick to the plan – ‘cos he picked the ball up just inside their half, beat 5 or 6 players and put it in the net! Fantastic! Three up and looking good. The game was effectively over by then, Sam had come on and added to the attacking options and I thought we looked pretty comfortable from there on in. Sam’s well-taken goal 10 minutes from time was icing on the cake.

The only player I’ve not mentioned so far is Nick who’s brave and alert goalkeeping kept them out at the times when they might have punished us. A superb display. And another mention for Lew who was awesome throughout.

How good does it feel, I asked afterwards. “Flppin’ wonderful!” – they all agreed (or words to that effect). And me and Neil thought so too, as we searched for lost balls. Their manager came over and said we were the “best team they’ve played so far”. I hope they all went home and felt proud of themselves and the team. I know I did.

And – although it was the first day of winter time, and the afternnon was drawing in - the sun was still shining brightly as I left Reignhead...

Sunday 21 October 2007 vs Charnock (away)

2007-10-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

The romance of the cup! Today we face a team a couple of division above us. No cause for concern, we all know what can happen in cup ties. The form book often goes out of the window and it's what happens on the day that counts. As favourites - do they think they must win? Will they underestimate us, or do they know enough not to? Do we go out and play like we know we can, or do we let a little bit of nerves creep in? Does that little bit of luck go for us or against us? Does their keeper have a bad cold? Did our attackers have an early night?! So many factors can influence a game, and this is not FIFA Championship Manager (or whatever) and a computer will have no bearing on what will unfold today.

Well, the sun shone and the pitch at Lightwood was lush and green. Anyone who has ever been in a game up there with puddles all over the pitch and a howling wind blowing sleet in your face will know that's a big plus. We had Chris Sykes available for the first time, and a full squad to choose from. With a few adjustments to the starting line up, we took the field bright eyed and ready to go.

Charnock were strong and disciplined. They didn't rush headlong at us, and, because of that there was space to exploit if we could. I won't write a great deal about the game - unfortunately I had to miss some of it, but Neil gave me the lowdown later.

They took an early lead on 5 minutes through a defensive mis-read that most of the time means nothing, but today cost us. Not deterred, we pressed forwarded and fought to contain them on the break. We were rewarded with an excellent long range goal from Chris Sykes and there were other half chances that might have gone for us.

But... as I said earlier they were disciplined and patient and ended up with five goals to their credit. No cup run for us this year, then.

Always look on the bright side; their organisation and the way they went about taking us on, brought food for thought and highlighted some areas to work on that can only do us good, long-term. Monday night at Spinkhill beckons!

Sunday 7 October vs Greaseborough (home)

2007-10-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

Kevin told me before the game that he'd overheard them talking about, "an easy 3 points"! What a shock for them! They obviously thought that, as a new team, we needed to be taught a lesson and were going to sit attentively while they showed us this new fangled game. What they hadn't reckoned on was our "fight" and our spirit and our determination not to roll over and give up! I think the tone of their touchline coaching said it all, and there were several Greaseborough players with bruised ears by the end of the game!

But it wasn't only our "bottle" that saw us through - we are actually a good side, and getting better. What we lack at the moment is a bit of cohesion in a couple of key areas.

Now, anyone who tells me you can weld together a first-class defensive unit in a few weeks has got a couple of "Terrys" and a few "Nevilles" in the squad. For sure there are excellent defences at this age and at this level, but I bet you a fiver they've been together for a few years.

We (me and Neil) know the back four is often too flat - something to work on , and with the calibre of players we've got - I know it'll come right. The keepers are a key part of that as well. But I'm here to praise and everyone of the defensive unit gave their all - thanks, lads.

Midfield fired in fits and starts, Mat was excellent on the left - going forward AND coming back. Spot on. The others were good too - we just need to be stronger at times and wait for the pass rather than try to force balls forward that just aren't there.

Upfront we were superb and all except Sam (next time, Sam) got something for their effort.

What an excellent squad this is - and with hard work and patience it'll really start to pay off.

The ref and his 2 trusty assistants had good games and I don't have to tell you how much of a bonus it is to have match officials who you can trust to get on and do the job. Thanks Si, Raz & Adam!

The sun shone, we didn't (amazingly) lose any balls, the dogsh*t count was low and the Reignhead End brought some good support!

And, yes we went down 3-4, but one day we'll look back and smile.

Next up is Charnock in the cup. A Division "D" side. Wonder if they think they'll get an easy ride...?!