Saturday 8th February, SSYFL Cup Semi-Final Onslow 1 v Loxwood 5
The Magpies came into this semi final on the back of a decent run of results (and a week's rest) and were looking to get into the Div 1 cup final for the second successive season. The opposition were Onslow, and the Magpies were in confident mood having already dispatched them pretty comprehensively in a league fixture earlier this season.
The full size pitch and goals (why?!), in theory, should have made the starting 3-4-1-2 formation favourable in an attacking sense, but potentially leave gaps form a defensive perspective - we would see. Just prior to Kick-off the coaches prepped the boys with the game plan (and some inspirational words ), and sent them onto the pitch ready for action.
The play started quite tentatively, and the opposition made it clear that they were 'up for it', despite their poor recent results and league standing. The Magpies looked unusually lacklustre, and their defensive shape didn't look anywhere near as solid as it had been in recent matches, and there were some nice passages of passing from the opposition who were happy to push their midfield high up the pitch to try and outnumber the Magpies at the back. This started to look like it may pay off, and keeper Charlie was called into action several times to intercept balls in behind the back three.
Not long into the half, a speculative shot from distance caught Charlie Davies by surprise and despite getting a valiant hand to it, it bounced down and crept over the line. 1-0 to Onslow. The Magpies looked a bit shell-shocked - this wasn't in the script! Time for action !!!
Play resumed and Onslow looked like they were starting to believe a shock was on the cards, and started to apply some nice passing through the midfield areas. As the half continued, the Magpies started to get some space on the right, with Ethan getting plenty of the ball and linking up with Neo nicely. It was from this area that an equaliser came. Liam found the ball on the right and after a couple of nice touches let fly with a smart shot which flew over the keeper and nestled into the net - a nice finish. The Magpies were now starting to find some drive through the middle with Liam and Charlie D'Aoust getting more of the ball and causing the opposition defenders back, deeper and deeper.
Half time came, and the match was evenly poised at 1-1. probably a fair reflection overall. The coaches applied some 'corrective action' and let the boys know in no uncertain terms that the standards they had set themselves recently were not being reached. the message was; 'you have got yourselves into a battle that you didn't need to, and you are now accountable for getting yourselves out of it!'
And so, the second half started somewhat more positively, although the boys still looked well below par - the passing was poor and rushed, and the communication was lacking. That said, the shape of the team started to look more solid, and there was an element of control that started to grow. It was soon after the resumption of the match that Neo got onto the score sheet with a smart near post finish which flew in past the keeper. This seemed to settle the nerves a little and the boys started to enjoy huge amounts of pressure, with Charlie in goal becoming a spectator for long periods. The midfield battle that we had been drawn into had now become won, and Liam was enjoying a dominant physical display and carving open the opposition over and over. With this, the boys were working good positions on the left hand side, with Jack (great to see him back playing after injury) using the space intelligently and making sure that we were winning the ball back high up the pitch.
The game was now almost entirely being played in the oppositions half, such was the dominance of the boys. There was still work to do though to make sure they got over the line- this was by no means a polished performance. Neo - so often to thorn in the side for Onslow, got another goal to make the score 3-1. The opposition were now flagging and starting to look deflated. Captain for the day Rowan, couldn't quite add to his recent scoring hot streak, just missing out on a couple of good chances.
In a strange situation, Hamish (who was now starting to get on the ball more) was fouled close to the edge of the area, and the ref awarded a free kick. But the opposition player, in a totally out-of-character moment, sent an elbow into the face off the ball, cutting his lip. The referee had little choice but to send the player off. Sad to see.
The coaches used the opportunity to make sweeping changes, Ethan went up top alongside Bubba, Neo dropped into defence, and Will got a shot in midfield. Paddy was deployed higher up the pitch on the right. It was one way traffic now, and Bubba was using his pace to good effect, just missing out on a lobbed finish with the keeper stranded. It didn't take long though for him to find the net though - causing much celebration among the boys - who were now (at last) starting to pass the ball confidently and beginning to look like the confident side they have become. Ball retention was much better, and the timing of passes was much much better.
A fifth goal was scrambled in from a free kick from Ethan, and no one really knows who got the final touch - its being recorded as an OG! The game ended without further incident worthy of note, and the boys were well worth the win in the end - but overall this was a very patchy display against limited opposition. Our cup final opposition will demand a much improved focus and performance.
Not too many highlights from the actual performance; Jack looking sharp, Bubba scoring, Liam's drive from midfield and Paddy's composure being exceptions. And the response to the challenge to turn things around was good to see.
The net result is that the boys have won through to the final for the second successive season, and after being the 1st LYFC team to win silverware last season's win), and we are all looking ahead to repeating the achievement this year, against Dorking Wanderers in the repeat of last year's final.
The Coaches' MoTM this week goes to Liam for driving the team onwards when it was needed. Real determination and maturity - well done.
Thanks again to Hannah H for the great action shots !!!
The Magpies came into this semi final on the back of a decent run of results (and a week's rest) and were looking to get into the Div 1 cup final for the second successive season. The opposition were Onslow, and the Magpies were in confident mood having already dispatched them pretty comprehensively in a league fixture earlier this season.
The full size pitch and goals (why?!), in theory, should have made the starting 3-4-1-2 formation favourable in an attacking sense, but potentially leave gaps form a defensive perspective - we would see. Just prior to Kick-off the coaches prepped the boys with the game plan (and some inspirational words ), and sent them onto the pitch ready for action.
The play started quite tentatively, and the opposition made it clear that they were 'up for it', despite their poor recent results and league standing. The Magpies looked unusually lacklustre, and their defensive shape didn't look anywhere near as solid as it had been in recent matches, and there were some nice passages of passing from the opposition who were happy to push their midfield high up the pitch to try and outnumber the Magpies at the back. This started to look like it may pay off, and keeper Charlie was called into action several times to intercept balls in behind the back three.
Not long into the half, a speculative shot from distance caught Charlie Davies by surprise and despite getting a valiant hand to it, it bounced down and crept over the line. 1-0 to Onslow. The Magpies looked a bit shell-shocked - this wasn't in the script! Time for action !!!
Play resumed and Onslow looked like they were starting to believe a shock was on the cards, and started to apply some nice passing through the midfield areas. As the half continued, the Magpies started to get some space on the right, with Ethan getting plenty of the ball and linking up with Neo nicely. It was from this area that an equaliser came. Liam found the ball on the right and after a couple of nice touches let fly with a smart shot which flew over the keeper and nestled into the net - a nice finish. The Magpies were now starting to find some drive through the middle with Liam and Charlie D'Aoust getting more of the ball and causing the opposition defenders back, deeper and deeper.
Half time came, and the match was evenly poised at 1-1. probably a fair reflection overall. The coaches applied some 'corrective action' and let the boys know in no uncertain terms that the standards they had set themselves recently were not being reached. the message was; 'you have got yourselves into a battle that you didn't need to, and you are now accountable for getting yourselves out of it!'
And so, the second half started somewhat more positively, although the boys still looked well below par - the passing was poor and rushed, and the communication was lacking. That said, the shape of the team started to look more solid, and there was an element of control that started to grow. It was soon after the resumption of the match that Neo got onto the score sheet with a smart near post finish which flew in past the keeper. This seemed to settle the nerves a little and the boys started to enjoy huge amounts of pressure, with Charlie in goal becoming a spectator for long periods. The midfield battle that we had been drawn into had now become won, and Liam was enjoying a dominant physical display and carving open the opposition over and over. With this, the boys were working good positions on the left hand side, with Jack (great to see him back playing after injury) using the space intelligently and making sure that we were winning the ball back high up the pitch.
The game was now almost entirely being played in the oppositions half, such was the dominance of the boys. There was still work to do though to make sure they got over the line- this was by no means a polished performance. Neo - so often to thorn in the side for Onslow, got another goal to make the score 3-1. The opposition were now flagging and starting to look deflated. Captain for the day Rowan, couldn't quite add to his recent scoring hot streak, just missing out on a couple of good chances.
In a strange situation, Hamish (who was now starting to get on the ball more) was fouled close to the edge of the area, and the ref awarded a free kick. But the opposition player, in a totally out-of-character moment, sent an elbow into the face off the ball, cutting his lip. The referee had little choice but to send the player off. Sad to see.
The coaches used the opportunity to make sweeping changes, Ethan went up top alongside Bubba, Neo dropped into defence, and Will got a shot in midfield. Paddy was deployed higher up the pitch on the right. It was one way traffic now, and Bubba was using his pace to good effect, just missing out on a lobbed finish with the keeper stranded. It didn't take long though for him to find the net though - causing much celebration among the boys - who were now (at last) starting to pass the ball confidently and beginning to look like the confident side they have become. Ball retention was much better, and the timing of passes was much much better.
A fifth goal was scrambled in from a free kick from Ethan, and no one really knows who got the final touch - its being recorded as an OG! The game ended without further incident worthy of note, and the boys were well worth the win in the end - but overall this was a very patchy display against limited opposition. Our cup final opposition will demand a much improved focus and performance.
Not too many highlights from the actual performance; Jack looking sharp, Bubba scoring, Liam's drive from midfield and Paddy's composure being exceptions. And the response to the challenge to turn things around was good to see.
The net result is that the boys have won through to the final for the second successive season, and after being the 1st LYFC team to win silverware last season's win), and we are all looking ahead to repeating the achievement this year, against Dorking Wanderers in the repeat of last year's final.
The Coaches' MoTM this week goes to Liam for driving the team onwards when it was needed. Real determination and maturity - well done.
Thanks again to Hannah H for the great action shots !!!
