We should have parked the bus...

Following a month without playing due to monsoon conditions our final
league game of the first part of the season was played against
Gotherington on the astro turf pitch at Winchcombe school. A nice big
pitch and, obviously, a perfect playing surface. The rain had relented
but the wind was bitter and cutting. It was a good day for a football
match. We had a full squad and plenty of support. This game was a
significant match in the race to stay in the top division.

Gotherington have improved significantly over the seasons as their
recent results have shown. As such we lined up in familiar 4-2-3-1
formation. The plan being to use the width of the pitch to break down
and stretch their defence.

The game started well enough with exchanges in midfield being fairly
even. Gotherington were winning the ball in the air and with the wind
behind them goal kicks were fizzing deep into our half making for some
initial shaky defending. From such a clearance a Gotherington
attacking player picked up the ball and struck a shot from distance
the crashed off the post. An early warning.

After that initial shock we started to get into the game more with
some nice passing between the midfield and wingers. As we pushed on
the full backs were also able to get forward and bolster the midfield.
Daniel was busy up front and clearly feeling fresh following a couple
of weeks lay-off from injury.

Despite increasing pressure and good possession in the Gotherington
half and penalty box a clean strike on goal was difficult and there
was also the small matter of some excellent, decisive, Gotherington
defending. Anything we did get on target was straight at the keeper.

The opening goal, when it came was following a substitution and a
tactical switch. Louis, struggling a bit with a piriformis injury, was
withdrawn, Will T, busy and bustling in the number 10 position was
moved out to the left wing. Jorge, also returning from an injury
lay-off, came on and was pushed up front as the point man. This meant
that Daniel was withdrawn into the number 10 role. Daniel immediately
linked with the Luca on the right wing and Jacob centrally to be put
clear. His cross flew across the penalty area where Will T was to
finish. 1-0. A good team goal.

Will T would then win a penalty after being brought down just inside
the box. Jacob took the penalty with his shot going just over the
cross bar.

The first half would finish 1-0. Both teams still very much in it.

Second half we had the wind at our backs, that said Gotherington
started strongly, and had the better of the initial exchanges. An
excellent save from Will denying what would have been an outstanding
goal from the inside right position. Wary of the threat that
Gotherington continued to pose we needed another goal or two.

Changes were made through the game to keep legs fresh on the large
pitch. Ben playing centre-back and midfield was the MotM following a
calm and measure display where he really did not put a foot wrong.
Heading, tackling and distribution all taken care off with minimum
fuss and rarely more than 2 touches. A really excellent performance
from a player that does it consistently and quietly.

With space on the wings always an option, we struggled to exploit this
by delaying our passes into space for the wide men, holding the ball
that second or two too long meaning that the defence was set. In
training we have been focussing on quick passing and playing 1-2's -
we need to trust this in match scenarios.

The second goal came from Luca. Playing in centre midfield he broke
forward to the edge of the box. Moving the ball to the right he
feinted then hit a shot high into the far corner beyond the keepers
dive. A really excellent goal.

At 2-0 we began to dominate the game and possession, but we were
unable to convert that into a third goal which would have completely
sealed the victory. Gotherington still remained a threat on the
break however, and also missed a couple of good chances

Then we got it wrong.

With less than 10 minutes to play substitutions were made in defense.
Immediately this change was made Gotherington attacked, the ball broke
to the left winger in the box unmarked. He finished well picking his
spot over Will's head, leaving him no chance, into the corner of the
net. 2-1.

There were then 3 or 4 minutes to play. Gotherington broke and won a penalty.

For the spot kick Will was wrong footed enough and the ball went in to
his left. 2-2 with seconds remaining.

This was, from a coaching perspective, hugely frustrating as by
changing the defensive positions and disrupting the formation late in
the game, the victory that we had played so stoutly for was lost.
This was definitely a case of 2 points lost. It is very difficult to
debrief the team after something like this and was a case of holding
up your hands.

At 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to play we should have closed the
game. Parked the bus. Solidified at the back. What we did was open a
window of uncertainty by moving the boys around, and ushered in
Gotherington attackers that had, on reflection, threatened to score
all game.

Our status as a division 1 or division 2 side remains uncertain and is
no longer in our hands. There are a number of games that the teams
around us still need to play that will determine our fate. We want to
be a division 1 team and the lads played the game to achieve that and
deserved it. As we move into the next phase of matches, in either
division, we will not make that mistake again.