29-02-20
SSYL @ Duke of Kent School
Team: Gids, Tom, Henry, William, Olly, Wilf R, James, Arch.
A game played in challenging conditions, thankfully it went ahead. The storm in the opening quarter threatened the fixture and the children played on stoically in the gale and hail.
We struggled on the hockey pitch surface... yet we adapted well to a surface that we are unfamiliar with, with the added speed of the ball and the dimension of the goals!
Cranleigh are a strong team, well coached and blessed with one player of exceptional talent.
The boys really enjoyed the fixture and were all smiles at the end of the game, for the now customary hot chocolate time.
Cranleigh, their boys thought about their options on the ball and were intentional in their passing. Something we are now ready to start working on. As a coach.. that was my main takeaway. We will now to put this into our training and team development work.
We are becoming a difficult team to play against, when we clear the danger efficiently and hit our opponents on the counter attack. We also have a strong competitive spirit and super bunch of boys willing to give to the team. Yet we are still a little immature in our play and reactive to circumstances against the better teams. We are not as intentional in our play as we could be.
We came back . And we kept on going.... our heads went back up immediately and we pushed Cranleigh hard right to the final whistle.
A few thoughts on the players and my development ideas for each.
Wilf R- Was outstanding in goal and led the line well. I’d like to see Wilf come back into midfield areas to find the ball and a good position to receive the ball. Work on left foot.
Henry- Solid and dependable, played well. I’d like to see Henry consider his options when passing and see Henry cover more areas of the pitch going forwards.
Gids- Enjoyed the surface and used his natural speed over short distances well. Intelligently came back to receive the ball at goal kicks from Wilf. I’d like to see Gids come back into the midfield to find the ball at times when he’s not getting the service.
Arch- A pleasing display and his tackling much better again. Focus really improved. His attitude as sub was an example and 100% perfect. I’d like to see Arch learn to understand his options to pass better, make the simple pass to his team mate. To be aware of team mates positions and confidently spend more time on the ball at his feet.
Tom- Some good decisive tackles and grew in confidence one or two super forward passes. I’d like to see Tom have the composure to understand his options on the ball when passing more consistently. Plus focus on the game 100%.
James- Because of the surface and opponents played much deeper and did well at clearing danger. Worked tirelessly on a the pitch did not suit his game yet he found the goal and was a threat. I’d like to see James pause and play the killer pass forwards, and work on the left foot.
William- A good game on a difficult surface to control the ball on. Did his stint in goal with a smile on his face. Would like William to clear danger when in goal and 'boss the box’. Use his left foot more.
Olly- Tackled well and covered a lot of distance Played well in goal. He bounced back from a set back with great focus and character. I'd like Olly to develop his composure and understand his options on the ball, including spending more time on the ball at his feet. And making the simple pass to his team mate. When in goal to clear danger and 'boss the box’.
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