Well, what a preseason friendly this turned out to be!
Loxwood had a very strong first half, playing a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Louis Horsley took the plaudits with a well taken hatrick and an assist. The first was an audacious effort, taking advantage of the wide goals and a keeper off his line, to bend a low effort in from 25 yards out. Louis turned provider for the best goal, showing great strength to drive down the wing, slide a firm pass across the box for Harry Hunter to slam home.
With the scoreline 4 - 0 at half time there was nothing to be learnt by keeping things the same, so we experimented with the greater discipline and work rate of a 3-5-2 formation. It took 10 minutes for the boys to adapt, by which time Cranleigh had pulled two back. From then on, the game ebbed and flowed with goals flying in left, right and centre. Louis added a further two goals to his tally (the fifth showing a deft touch to slot past the keeper with the outside of his boot) and Harry got a deserved second. Meanwhile Cranleigh took advantage of our narrower defence and inability to apply the wingback system effectively by scoring six.
There were some great and solid performances. Max Robertson and Tom Lillywhite did really well in the middle of the park and were unlucky not to score. The back four were excellent in the first half, limiting Cranleigh to just a few chances. Toby Nicholls also did well in goal with one excellent stop from close range at the end of the first half.
It was good to try something different and thankfully it made for an entertaining game. Hopefully the boys will have learnt something from the experience and it sets us up for an exciting season ahead.
Team: Toby Nicholls, Theo Rawlins, Magnus Crook, Fraser Ayres, Josh Arnold, Harry Hunter, Tom Lillywhite, Max Robertson, Tom Pearce, Toby Chandler, Louis Horsley, George Lillywhite, Harry Comber
Goals: Louis Horsley (5), Harry Hunter (2)
MOM: Louis Horsley
Loxwood had a very strong first half, playing a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Louis Horsley took the plaudits with a well taken hatrick and an assist. The first was an audacious effort, taking advantage of the wide goals and a keeper off his line, to bend a low effort in from 25 yards out. Louis turned provider for the best goal, showing great strength to drive down the wing, slide a firm pass across the box for Harry Hunter to slam home.
With the scoreline 4 - 0 at half time there was nothing to be learnt by keeping things the same, so we experimented with the greater discipline and work rate of a 3-5-2 formation. It took 10 minutes for the boys to adapt, by which time Cranleigh had pulled two back. From then on, the game ebbed and flowed with goals flying in left, right and centre. Louis added a further two goals to his tally (the fifth showing a deft touch to slot past the keeper with the outside of his boot) and Harry got a deserved second. Meanwhile Cranleigh took advantage of our narrower defence and inability to apply the wingback system effectively by scoring six.
There were some great and solid performances. Max Robertson and Tom Lillywhite did really well in the middle of the park and were unlucky not to score. The back four were excellent in the first half, limiting Cranleigh to just a few chances. Toby Nicholls also did well in goal with one excellent stop from close range at the end of the first half.
It was good to try something different and thankfully it made for an entertaining game. Hopefully the boys will have learnt something from the experience and it sets us up for an exciting season ahead.
Team: Toby Nicholls, Theo Rawlins, Magnus Crook, Fraser Ayres, Josh Arnold, Harry Hunter, Tom Lillywhite, Max Robertson, Tom Pearce, Toby Chandler, Louis Horsley, George Lillywhite, Harry Comber
Goals: Louis Horsley (5), Harry Hunter (2)
MOM: Louis Horsley
