Match Review - 16/04/16

Signol Blues Vs Haughton Green Greens

Today was perfect football weather, quite mild with the sun on the horizon. The boys seemed in really good spirits and warmed up well prior to the game.
I pre warned the boys during my team talk that I was going to try a different formation if needed to protect the keeper more and be a little more defensive with two in defence, one in the middle and one upfront.
The boys had clear instruction what I wanted them to do from the start, we had Tom at the back, Dylan and Josh on the wings and Rio up top.
Boy did they start in style, from the minute the whistle was blown they were chasing down the ball and within the first few kicks Josh pounced on a mistake and ran through player after player straight for his first goal of the game, the boys had their tails up and fought for every ball soon it was 2 with brilliant play between Dylan, Josh and Rio leading to Dylan's goal!
Centre kick came again and they pulled one back but I knew this game was ours for the taking, I was right and within minutes it was 3 this time from Rio with an absolutely amazing goal from just near the half way line, Rio caught the ball perfectly and it went straight into the bottom corner with a Cantona-esque celebration the boys were elated (as was I) but concentration was needed.
Before we knew it another goal flew in from Josh who was absolutely everywhere, he wanted every ball and battled for it while making sure he was always available to run off Rio if he needed assistance.
Tom broke down attack time after time sending the ball up the flanks with ease and never over committing, he's so strong in defence and the perfect person to protect Kieran in net, this leads me to Kieran who made some great saves with all his body and released the ball well to his team mates.
The game was Signols and we swarmed the opposition with attach after attack, soon enough it was time for another and Josh got his third which meant his hat-trick there were only a few minutes left of the half but it was far from over, another great exchange between all of the boys starting with Tom at the back to Dylan, Josh and Rio to slot home.
Now it was time for a breather as the second half came, the boys needed a breather as did I! The second half started and we had had a little change around, we started with Dylan at the back who can play anywhere, Jackson and Daniel on the flanks and Josh up top. I'd asked Jackson and Daniel to sit deep whenever they could thus to protect our lead. Which they both did really well, Daniel always has lots of energy and controlled the ball well, he helped stretch the play and used the wings to pass up to Rio, Jackson got rid of the danger time after time, putting his foot through the ball and sending it up the pitch.
The opposition made considerable changes and pushed to attack whenever they could, with a new line up we needed time to adjust and didn't get it as they started quickly, within minutes it was 6-3 and the boys were being pulled in all directions. The game reached 6-4 and on came Rio in place of Jackson and Fin for Daniel the opposition had a chance to make it 6-5 but a great save from Kieran using his feet and belting it up the pitch took the pressure off. Finn made some fantastic challenges and was strong and kept to his man pushing them down the line instead of them being able to come in field, unfortunately they got another and it was 6-5 with 4 minutes to go.
With the game coming to an end we needed to see it out or get another goal and we did the latter, another brace from the team saw Rio latch on to the ball and also score his hattrick! With that came the end of the game and a win for signol!
For me today all of the boys were man of the match, they played for each other and out of their skins! I imagine some tired legs tonight.
I'm looking forward to the new seven a side format come the summer :) well done boys, couldn't have started my Saturday better!