Team | Men’s 2nd Team |
Opponent | Sutton Coldfield 9ths |
Date | November 13, 2021 |
Result | Win |
Score | 4 – 1 |
Goal scorers: Jordan McGuigan Anthony Truelove x2, Robin Stanley.
A late start, was even later when hectic traffic around the Doug Ellis Astro caused many players (on both sides) to be delayed for twenty minutes.
Eventually the game started with lots of positive play from the home team. Every player was looking for space to receive a pass and the strong midfield duly obliged. The wide play by Parameth, Sean and Jordan (rotating subs) gave the team a fluidity, which gave confidence to the back three of Paul, Ian and Edan to push high to support them. The pressure for a solid fifteen minutes resulted in the home team “peppering” the Sutton goal with shots. Unfortunately, they all either went high or wide. With this confidence boost the midfield began to go for more solo efforts, driving at the away team’s back four. This also resulted in plenty of shots at goal. But the shape of the team was lost and the away team did get a few breakaways. Eventually, after twenty efforts, the home team bagged the first goal to calm the nerves and get into a more rigid shape and start passing again. Jordan had his first shot saved but he got a second shot to put it away. Soon afterwards Anthony made it 2-0 and the defence had some wriggle room to push higher. Unfortunately, the visitors took full on advantage of this and broke away getting a good cross in for a waiting attacker to tap in.
At half time and only 2-1 the home team were shocked how they hadn’t scored more. The Captain and Stan suggested for the team to fully appreciate that passing and team shape was the way to go to get the three points. Also, midfield, although strong, needed to track back to support the defence.
To a man everyone took this on-board. With a more controlled second half the home team eased into a three-goal cushion and gave the opposing team no real shots for Jack in goal to save. The home team’s third goal was a special diving acrobatic display by Anthony on the back post. Abbrar turned onto his open side to shoot in the “D”, it was going knee high but wide of back post, but Anthony got a instinctive touch whilst diving. The fourth was a well taken short again by Robin Stanley beating a crowded “D” to make final score in the final minute 4-1.