You don't need to wear a North Face waterproof to watch the Cheltenham Youth League but it would help.
On a rain swept afternoon on Naunton Park the pre-match talk was all
about raising our game. The Gotherington match had enabled us to find
something out about our players that we didn't know, or certainly hadn't
seen. To be combative and strong.
This fixture the message was simple do it again but with an extra
10% as Churchdown, as i say every season, are the strongest team in this
division that we have faced.
Lining up a little different to normal in recognition of some of the
Gotherington performances we had Will Fenley in goal, the back four
right-to-left was Sam Hansson-Willey, Freddie Palmer, George Garrad and
Will Davis in left back. Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen lined up
in front of them as the midfield screen with the the front four of Max
Timothy, Louis Casey, Luca Bosano and Dan Hodgin. On the bench Jordan
Pemberton, Max Pemberton, Paddy Christopher and Callum Dagnall.
The game kicked off and Churchdown had the majority of possession.
With the ball zipping around on the wet turf we were unable to get any
passes together and struggled to retain possession. The Churchdown
midfield were winning ball and as were forced deeper into our own area
were able to progress uncontested. We defended stoutly with the back
four holding firm and the midfield assisting to plug gaps. Will Fenley
had to make difficult catches as the slippery ball was fired in from
distance.
The opening goal went to Churchdown just over half way through the
first half, playing the ball in long from the left we failed to clear
and the ball was fired into the corner by a Churchdown player. 1-0 down
but playing well enough to still be in it.
We lost Harvey Parker-Allen shortly after the first goal to a knee
injury. A reshuffle saw Jordan come into centre defence, with Freddie
Palmer moving into midfield alongside Jacob. Then we lost our
goalkeeper, Will Fenley, to a pulled muscle. This meant some rapid
changes, with Jacob taking one for the team and going in goal. Sam
Hansson-Willey moved from right back into centre midfield, Paddy
Christopher joining the back-four.
Churchdown scored a second goal, the ball flying on over Jacob's
head with nothing he could do. 2-0. There was time for us to pull
one-back with a fine finish from Dan H. This was followed by a final
substitution in the half with Louis Casey, struggling with a knee
injury, needing to come off. This saw Max Pemberton thrust into action
taking the centre forward role. Luca Bosano switched flanks to left wing
and Dan Hodgin moving to right wing.
This was quite a game for Max Pemberton to make his debut in
considering that he is playing a year up but he played very well.
Hassling the defence when they were in possession and ensuring
possession was maintained high up the pitch. First half 2-1 Churchdown.
The instruction for the second half was to get the ball forward with
purpose and try to exploit the pace we have against their defence. This
almost yielded a goal immediately with the ball played to Max Timothy,
again pulling the strings, who laid the ball to Sam. Sam played it into
the channel Luca gave chase and his left foot shot flew past the far
post. Had that gone in......
The game then ebbed and flowed from end-to-end as players tired and
conditions told. Churchdown stil had the better possession although when
we broke forward we did look more dangerous. Max Pemberton was getting
onto the ball and starting to link well with the other attacking
players, with a bit more practice with the team his technical ability
will surely shine.
Churchdown scored two further goals to take a 4-1 lead but to the
lads credit they continued to press and got a goal back with a finish in
the area by Max Timothy from Dan Hodgins corner. 4-2. The gane would
finish this way but not before there was another injury.
George playing a barnstorming central defensive role had hurt his
leg and was unable to run freely. A final change was made Freddie Palmer
dropping into the back 4 alongside Jordan Pemberton and Callum Dagnall
coming into central midfield. There were no real further clear cut
chances but there was time for another player to get an injury, Paddy
Christopher catching and toe-ending the ball away from the Churchdown
number 55 who is probably the biggest and certainly one of the fastest
players in the division - as they continued full tilt there was an
awkward fall. Fortunately he continued and saw the game out.
The game finished 4-2 to Churchdown. It was an excellent game of
football played in horrendous conditions and showed the value of having a
squad as, for the second week in succession we ended up with only 11
fit players.
Churchdown are a very good team, make no mistake about that, we know
a lot about them and they probably have the better record than we do in
these head to heads. The gap did not feel that broad today though. Even
with the injuries and changes to personnel the boys played,
particularly in the second half, some good solid football. Defending
first and then trying to show some quality going forward.
The message remains the same control the ball, pass it quickly and
support the play. Try to relax in possession and play our game. When we
do that we can match anyone even if we don't get the result. Churchdown
could not relax in the game today because we kept going.
The man of the match was an odd one today. (Not that he's odd) but
it was given to Jacob Burgess as he went into goal after we lost Will
Fenley. He was bustling energey in midfield and then in goal made some
excellent saves and in a couple of one-on-ones some brave saves. Stood
with the lads after the game and discussing the performance it felt
almost counter-motivational to have an MotM as they had all played well.
They all tried their hardest and they all gave their best for the team.
In that regard to single one player felt strange today. This team is
growing and we have an opportunity to show how much by lining up against
the same Churchdown side next week in the away fixture.
We are showing a more combative spirit and physical confidence. We
have quality and now we are working hard to earn the right to show that
quality. We have competition for places in nearly all positions now
which is new and has to be positive. Freddie Palmer showed some
excellent form in the back four and also in midfield alongside both
George Garrad and Jordan Pemberton. Sam Hansson Willey started at right
back then moved into midfield once we reshuffled. Max Pemberton made his
debut against very difficult opponents. Jordan Pemberton showed that,
as captain, he can organise a defence even from the touchline.
We need to keep building on that oh and we need to keep the players fit!!
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