Games can be won and lost in short passages of play, and that was the lesson from today. Loxwood more than held their own for long periods in this match, but fell asleep for a 15 minute spell, which effectively handed the match to Mayford.
It was a tight opening 15 minutes, in which few chances were created. The defence of Ollie Zeffert, Josh Arnold and Theo Rawlins looked comfortable and strong. Toby Nicholls shielded the defence well, Toby Chandler found some neat through-balls and Ollie Williams was lively down the left wing. Loxwood had the best of the opening chances. Tom Pearce had the first effort on goal but needed more conviction behind his shot to beat the keeper. Soon after, Pearce was unlucky not to get his foot round a fierce cross from Louis Horsley but could only slice his effort wide, and Horsley himself found the side netting twice with well struck low drives from either side of the goal.
The first goal was a blow. Loxwood were not quick enough in taking up their positions for a corner and Mayford took the lead through a free header. The heads dropped a little and Mayford's confidence grew and within 15 minutes they had taken an unassailable 3 - 0 lead. Credit to Mayford, they were good on the break and deserved their goals during that spell. Loxwood regrouped and were not without their chances, Horsley again going close, Zeffert shooting from distance and Williams looking dangerous.
The second half saw a much improved performance. The work-rate increased, Williams switched to right wing and linked up well with Horsley to create Loxwood's first chance. His neat interchange fed Horsley through on goal whose drilled effort again found the side-netting. Harry Comber worked hard in the middle of the park to break up play and Keegan Pafford was off his line more than once to make some crucial clearances and saves. Zeffert was again excellent in the centre of defence, frustrating a dominant Mayford side. Williams also showed incredible work rate tackling in defence and working the wing. He was the first to react to a long Pafford drop-kick, brave to head the ball but couldn't beat the advancing Mayford keeper who cleared for a corner. Loxwood looked close to getting a goal late on after good work from Chambers, but the luck you sometimes need deserted us on the day and Mayford wrapped up the game with a late goal from a rebound off the woodwork.
The team can take lots of positives from the game. They didn't give up and we created enough openings and chances to have scored a few goals at least. We have learnt the importance of midfield work-rate, desire to be the first to win the ball and of being alert for the whole game.
It was a disappointing result given that we more than held our own for long spells, but there were some fantastic performances. Ollie Williams had a great debut, showing real desire on both wings and willing to do the defensive and attacking duties. Keegan Pafford made a welcome return to the Tigers and was excellent in goal. He made one or two superb saves and countless interventions to keep the scoreline down. Louis Horsley played the lone striker brilliantly and was really unlucky not to grab one or two goals. Man of the match, was once again Ollie Zeffert, whose defensive performance was simply fantastic. His strength, tenacity and tackling constantly frustrated Mayford and prevented to scoreline from potentially being worse.
Team: Keegan Pafford, Joshua Arnold, Ollie Zeffert, Theo Rawlins, Ollie Williams, Toby Nicholls, Toby Chandler, Tom Pearce, Louis Horsley, Harry Comber.
MOM: Ollie Zeffert
It was a tight opening 15 minutes, in which few chances were created. The defence of Ollie Zeffert, Josh Arnold and Theo Rawlins looked comfortable and strong. Toby Nicholls shielded the defence well, Toby Chandler found some neat through-balls and Ollie Williams was lively down the left wing. Loxwood had the best of the opening chances. Tom Pearce had the first effort on goal but needed more conviction behind his shot to beat the keeper. Soon after, Pearce was unlucky not to get his foot round a fierce cross from Louis Horsley but could only slice his effort wide, and Horsley himself found the side netting twice with well struck low drives from either side of the goal.
The first goal was a blow. Loxwood were not quick enough in taking up their positions for a corner and Mayford took the lead through a free header. The heads dropped a little and Mayford's confidence grew and within 15 minutes they had taken an unassailable 3 - 0 lead. Credit to Mayford, they were good on the break and deserved their goals during that spell. Loxwood regrouped and were not without their chances, Horsley again going close, Zeffert shooting from distance and Williams looking dangerous.
The second half saw a much improved performance. The work-rate increased, Williams switched to right wing and linked up well with Horsley to create Loxwood's first chance. His neat interchange fed Horsley through on goal whose drilled effort again found the side-netting. Harry Comber worked hard in the middle of the park to break up play and Keegan Pafford was off his line more than once to make some crucial clearances and saves. Zeffert was again excellent in the centre of defence, frustrating a dominant Mayford side. Williams also showed incredible work rate tackling in defence and working the wing. He was the first to react to a long Pafford drop-kick, brave to head the ball but couldn't beat the advancing Mayford keeper who cleared for a corner. Loxwood looked close to getting a goal late on after good work from Chambers, but the luck you sometimes need deserted us on the day and Mayford wrapped up the game with a late goal from a rebound off the woodwork.
The team can take lots of positives from the game. They didn't give up and we created enough openings and chances to have scored a few goals at least. We have learnt the importance of midfield work-rate, desire to be the first to win the ball and of being alert for the whole game.
It was a disappointing result given that we more than held our own for long spells, but there were some fantastic performances. Ollie Williams had a great debut, showing real desire on both wings and willing to do the defensive and attacking duties. Keegan Pafford made a welcome return to the Tigers and was excellent in goal. He made one or two superb saves and countless interventions to keep the scoreline down. Louis Horsley played the lone striker brilliantly and was really unlucky not to grab one or two goals. Man of the match, was once again Ollie Zeffert, whose defensive performance was simply fantastic. His strength, tenacity and tackling constantly frustrated Mayford and prevented to scoreline from potentially being worse.
Team: Keegan Pafford, Joshua Arnold, Ollie Zeffert, Theo Rawlins, Ollie Williams, Toby Nicholls, Toby Chandler, Tom Pearce, Louis Horsley, Harry Comber.
MOM: Ollie Zeffert
