We travelled to Yaxley this last weekend to play the whites, this was always going to be a close game, speaking to their old manager who still guides the new one, I was aware of the many new players this team had acquired from the end of last season. The lads have worked hard over the last couple of months, so we went into the game with high hopes of a good performance.

We set up with Jack Roberts in goal, Ellis Horn was the man at the back with the wingback roles going to Riley Deadman on the right and Ethan Hughes on the left, centre midfielders were Callum McAuley and Brandon Westgarth, Omar Ellis was our striker and Alfie Rogers was sub.

First half was a closely contested battle, we were well organized but so were Yaxley, I would say we just piped the play in the first twenty -five minutes, our width on the pitch tested this very much improved Yaxley side. We looked quite comfortable has the lads defended in numbers and were showing they were trying to implement the defensive work we had covered in training over the last three weeks. It didn’t always go to plan, but it was a hundred percent improvement on our last games.
We created enough chances to take the lead, made good runs down the wings with the midfield supplying the much needed cover support for our defence. A lot of play took place around our own box, but the improved defensive positions kept Jack on the edge of the action most of the time. The score was 0-0 at half time with the only reason being we made a few wrong decisions in the final third of the pitch, with a few balls played earlier and a few attempts with our weaker feet we probably would have had a couple of goals to take in at half time.

Second half Yaxley started to knock the ball around very well and we lost our heads in the challenge, the first man would close down quickly but we showed poor technique when we got there, quite a few of us would rush the man on the ball allowing us to be side stepped easily, we were also turning our backs and few were off balance leaning backwards in the tackle, this allow Yaxley more of the game, they started to mount a number of attacks and we were on the back foot.
At the time we were thinking what to change, who to move, what could we do to change it around to stop the flow of football against us. Yes it was nail biting, but it still wasn’t one sided, lots of the Yaxley attempts were from tight angles and our numbers back was better than before, they did penetrate four or five times in front of goal and Jack just seemed to get everything right, making at least three top class saves and one amazing double save earning himself his first clean sheet and the teams first of the new season. We were still having success going forward but wasn’t getting nearer enough to the Yaxley goal when a high ball played up at Omar was redirected by him whilst trying to control it, left the Yaxley keeper wrong footed and from twenty five yards out it looked a fantastic.
A few moments later we were down the left hand side with Brandon on the ball, he showed great feet taking it around a defender and through on goal, Omar rushes in firing it at the inside near post, two nil Pumas. We had to defend in numbers and did in great spirit to hold on for the win.

Now I’ve had time to reflect on this game, recover and my nails have grown back, lol I’m really happy.
Lots still to do, but some real positives can be taken from this match, the effort of defending was much better, we had bodies behind the ball much more than usual which gives us something to coach ( defending as unit for example ).
Our forward play wasn’t our best in this game and I put a lot of that down to fitness and the extra work load placed on the midfield getting back in their defensive positions early when we have lost the ball, the lads gave that a real go this match and fitness will improve if they keep doing it which in turn will bring back the great attacking play we possess.

Jack came alive in this game, especially towards the end, grew in confidence and started to verbally control his team mates, his second half saves were match winners, he had our heads in our hands when he called for a Yaxley twenty yard shot to be left, defence had listened and let it pass them, we thought it was going in, six inches past the outside of the post, goal kick, great call.
The extra goal keeper training he puts in on Sundays is really starting to show. His best match to date,
really pleased for him and for the team to have you guarding the sticks. Simply Wonderful performance.

Ellis was simply awesome for us, right from the start he commanded the backline, he closed down the opposing players quickly, held them up when a tackle couldn’t be made, back up his midfield and read dangerous situations well. A big chunk of his confidence has come from his team mates getting back to support him, this has helped him to just concern himself to the danger areas knowing he has support and cover. He is really working hard on his communication so he can relay what he sees to his team mates.
Keep up the hard work, really well done.

Riley showed great improvement, strong in the challenge and full of energy, made driving runs down the right hand side, very strong on the ball and gave us great success with his deliveries into the box. This lad is still reasonably new to the team, so understandably his knowledge of play is slightly behind the rest, but he is catching up quickly, we gave him lots of direction regarding tracking back and towards the end of the game he did it at least three times himself with no instruction from us, this takes a lot of discipline to run all the way back from the attacking third to cover Ellis who was dealing with the ball on the opposite side of the pitch, Great off the ball movement, great effort, well done.

Ethan was full on energy, the lad is very attack minded in a game that was very much needing a good defensive performance, we are working hard with him at training to develop this side of his game, his positional play was good and his tracking back was great, he does all the hard work to get into position to make the tackles when his technique has let him down, saying that the lad gives you a hundred percent all the time so we are sure he will improve greatly over the coming months in this area. Now give the lad the ball and he’s off to the races, good feet, fast and dangerous, a real handful for defences, always looking for a team mate, making him a great team player. Keep up the effort, well done.

Callum showed more of his intelligent side, after a nasty knock at school which lead us to believe we were going to be without him for months rather than weeks, he wasn’t match fit but was desperate to play a part, his decision to play a more holding role, which we are trying to get him to play most matches as it suits him and the team greatly paid off. He added security to the team and a discipline that we hope he will take with him into future games. He was subbed in both halves only so we could manage his injuries. He was an important factor, as it was more of a challenge for us with his replacements who were more of the attacking mindset. Linked the whole team together, made us look like a unit. Superb performance.

Alfie came on for Callum about fifteen minutes into the first half, straight away gave us another option going forward, as this lad can motor and with his added strength very difficult to get pass when in position. He came to us very single minded in the way he plays the game, he is fast powerful, great striker of the ball and has great footwork. Now he has started to work hard in training on his understanding of the principles of play with good results and we are sure he will soon replicate this into his match performances. One of the guys who needs learn to use his energy at the correct times, sprinting off the pitch to collect a ball for the opposition to take a throw in leaves you out of breath, use that time to get into position and at that point catch your breath, then you’re have energy on tap for them powerful runs, tracking back to help the defence and the excellent dribbling you showed in this match. Really well done.

Brandon was a workhorse, another lad that is all about the effort, extremely hungry and this match was no different, he covers so much ground, he showed wonderful dribbling skills and was always near and around the action, a real threat near the Yaxley goal and was rewarded with a great assist. He has been working tirelessly on keeping his head up and his body shape open with some improvement, it feels funny trying to change something you’ve been so use too, keep at it has you need to see where your team mates are and where the space is on the pitch. Work smart to catch your breath as he’s another lad who burns up so much energy chasing dead balls. With Yet another solid performance from you, great effort, keep it up, well done that lad.

Omar solid as ever, lead the forward line well, he showed he’s usual skill on the ball, turning defenders inside out, came back a few times when needed. Would like to see him use his other foot ( his left ) as we feel he’s missing out on a few goal scoring opportunities, now is the time to try new things, just give it a swing to start with and control will soon follow. This will enable you to take a big step towards becoming a complete player. This lads terrorized Yaxley’s defence, he held up the ball very well and fully deserved his two goals as we didn't create the amount of chances as we have in previous games.
We are working on Omar’s movement in and around the box which will supply you with even more scoring opportunities. Another awesome performance, well done.

True to say we had a bit of luck this time, perhaps Yaxley deserved something out off the match, but so have we out of many off our past matches, so we’ll take this, as it’s well over due.
The lads have really shown a great application towards their football this season both in training and their match day games.

Keep up the hard work, maintain this level of focus and effort!

Great Job Lads, Well Done!

Go Go Pumas!