FLURRY OF GOALS IN MEMORABLE WIN

First things first, I’m writing this because I got MOTM, but this was a huge team performance, the best I’ve been involved in since joining. Everyone really gave their best and some amazing football was played, some of the quality was almost hard to believe at times. Anyone could have had the award, it took a real collective effort to come back from 2-1 down at half-time, ending in a very comfortable win.

Firstly their goals.
First Half
1. A set-piece, they scored from a second ball, which we need to fix soon if we’re to challenge for top places.
2. They played three in the middle of midfield, the big lad of the three we generally decided to leave to pick up the danger men. That was fine until he Le Tissiered it from well outside the box into the top corner. Annoying.

Second Half
3. The worse set-piece ever. A poor straight free-kick, a slight flick and another goal.

4. Ha. Someone shot from a long (longggg) way out after a break in play. Ok it was from the kick-off, which wasn’t a problem because Andy had it covered, until he didn’t. Imagine Ronaldinho circa 2002 spliced with Xabi Alonso. Definitely not Andy’s fault, the man saves penalties now, he’s beyond criticism. The guy gave it the big one celebrating seemingly forgetting that they were a few minutes away from losing. Probably the last thing Andy sees before going to sleep at night now. Though still definitely not his fault.

For us,
First Half
1. Billy Crow strikes again, a nice strikers finish, taken early and kept low. Hopefully the streak continues.

It was such a shame to go in behind, we’d started so well, a lot of time on the ball, and starting to look like we could kick on and build a lead before half time. A few heads dropped when we went 2-1 down, and we did so well to lift ourselves, and the change from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 was a huge improvement. Also losing Joey to injury in the first half really set us back, it meant a real shift around of players and caused a bit of a wobble.

Second Half
2. Harry returns, scores a beauty for the second, with an incredible backheel from Archie after a long passing move. One of the best goals I’ve seen in amateur football, I think most of our players touched it, moving it from defence to attack, and the technique and placement of both the finish and assist were amazing to see. Also bonus points for Harry playing with one and a half hamstrings.

3. Archie was pretty unlucky not to take the MOTM (2 goals, 1 assist against my 0 goals, 0 assists). It was really the performance he’s been threatening for a while, and if he can play at this level consistently he’ll be a huge player for us this season. Apparently nutmegged the keeper. Another long passing move, sexy football.

4. Imad scored the next, who was also my MOTM vote, as he was a rock at the back and so calm on the ball. With the majority of our goals coming from playing football out of defence he was key to this result, and also scored an incredible goal. A lob from outside the box by a centre back, so good. Goal of the day, for us, obviously the halfway line one (that definitely was not in any way Andy’s fault, at all), was probably the games best.

5. Jamie took it to five, with a lovely through ball from Andrew. Two of our new signings who really clicked with the team this game, Andrew being busy and box to box throughout, and every time Jamie ran at them they were terrified. Will be great to have his pace this season, and hoping to see a load more goals like this, incredibly calm, Vardy like.

6. Archie added another, another cracking goal, following a good dribble from him. For one moment the ball bounced up, which I thought he was going to take on the half volley (which is either goal of the season or goes over the fence), but he took an extra touch and finished so well.

Overall it really felt like we settled into a real team. We’ve had new players joining and losing a few players to the 2s, so it’s taken a few weeks, but after that performance, I think we’re really building a quality group, the communication, work rate and positivity was so great to see.

Special mentions to Pete for a great debut, he was calm on the ball and worked hard throughout, Joey for an excellent performance until the injury. Billy for sacrificing himself for the team and changing the system. Tom Pytlos for not giving away any penalties by not being there. Our support / extra coaches, who actually gave a lot of help. Jamie and Charlie both had near-perfect performances and were integral to all of the goals, whilst doing a lot of the good defensive work too. Finally to Ed, who seems to be quickly growing into one of our best players, and a leader on the pitch. Bring on Saturday