19 Apr 2008 - Match Report - KHFitCU9 Falcons (S&DYFL)

KHFitC Falcons 1 v 0 Cookley Boys - report by Matt Dalton

When we met back in November at Cookley the match was well fought and the teams well balanced, the result then was a one all draw, so this fixture was set to be a close run affair. Having done a little homework, we decided to very slightly change the way we played in defense and man mark  Cookleys striker Laurence, give him an inch and he could have you wondering where he had disappeared to and have the keeper picking the ball from the net. The down side to this method emerged during the game whereby Tom who was marking Laurence could not push up and support midfield, so midfield did not push up to support the forwards as much as they have been used to when attacking. For the first fifteen minutes as we pushed forward there was an evident lack of players between the half way line and edge of the box to pick up any cleared balls, that said the boys played well keeping possession when necessary.

To the match. Tom and Lewis E set the tone from the off by combining well and ensuring we kept the ball instead of clearing it and giving away possession. Lewis E was prepared to come back from the halfway line and find a position where Tom could see and reach him with a pass once the ball had been won. This became infectious and very few balls were just cleared up field to safety during the match unless it was a last resort. Lewis E carried the ball well, taking on midfield and defense, holding the ball up and looking for support which to begin with was not forthcoming. Dan also carried well on the left, troubling the defense who cleared to safety taking no chances.

After playing the first half with the wind and yet failing to find the net I was a little concerned that we would be a team struggling to keep the ball out of our half during the second period. Within the first minute of the second half Lewis E made yet another run to the corner from a Thomas pass and put the ball across the goal line, who was there ? the martini kid that's who, not so much anytime, any place, anywhere but a little more right time, right place and everywhere, Ben chested the ball over the line for the only goal of the match.

Anthony in our goal produced a good reaction save to catch the ball above his head from a strong long range shot that took a sweet deflection inside the penalty box. Rory came on in an unprecedented role of left wing and had a good effort on goal to boot.

I am not going to pick out all the boys today, I have already written too many words again but Lewis M deserves a mention, Lewis has an awareness of his surroundings and makes accurate decisions on his next course of action, always varied, often surprising, never in two minds. They all played extremely well and I think that was evident in the lack of errors made, balls given away or challenges lost. They seemed to just go out and play football how they wanted to, maybe it's the start of team work !!  Fantastic effort boys, Lewis E was picked as man of the match by John Davis of "Hire It" who came to watch.