Match Report by Coach Jason
League game: Washington FC Jaguars v Consett Warriors
Pre-match Talk: Today we spoke a lot about the conditions and that we would need to adapt our style of play. But we have to be at the races.
Game Time: In what were tough conditions on what was a tough surface the boys started well. You could see what they were wanting to do but were struggling. Having said that it was the same for both teams. On the 15th minute, we went one behind, against the run of play. We had the team on the back foot but they managed to break away.
They got through on goal and their striker got through on goal. Gabriel stood brave and got a strong hand to stop the shot, great save, unfortunately it fell to another player who lobbed it over our defence into the net. 1-0.
Around five minutes later, we were attacking down the right. Dylan made a great run with the ball and was brought down, winning us a free kick on the right hand side, five yards outside the 18 yard box. Elliott stepped up to take the free kick. He struck the ball with his left and lifted it up and over the wall and it came down going past the keeper and into the back of the net. Goal: Elliott. 1-1.
Right we are back on track, or so I thought, Only five minutes later the opposition were in our box and their striker turned and struck the ball into the net. 2-1.
We were the better side and five minutes later we showed why. Dylan again did a magic run inside and out going past opposition. He then played a great ball to Zach who found the back of the net, for his first. Goal: Zach, Assist: Dylan. 2-2.
The half time whistle went at 2-2. Better to be 2-2 than 2-1 down. It’s sets us up to come out all guns blazing in the second. Half time: 2-2 Half highlight- Elliott’s free kick. I shouted to him to put it across the goal. Elliott decides to fire it in the near post. Good job they don’t always do as I say.
Half Time talk: The message was the same as it was previous weeks and it was all about the intensity and urgency. I want them to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th to every ball. Lose the ball, get it back as quick as possible and play with purpose.
Second Half: We had some fresh energy to start the second half and we were really starting to flow. Our defence Cassius, George, Olly, Lewis, Jacob, were a lot more solid. We seemed to find our feet and defend our lines loads better. Really strong. Ten minutes into the second half, a defender turned supplier for our third. Olly won the ball an pushed forward. He played a brilliant ball over the top for Zach to run onto. Zach made no mistake putting it past the keeper to put us in the lead for the first time in the match. Goal: Zach (2nd) Assist: Olly. 2-3
Our midfield today were the obvious link from back to front. Dylan, Karam, Kailym, Teddy, Bradley, Jack, Ryan and Elliott worked their socks off. On what was a heavy, boggy and muddy pitch they had to work (and slip) so hard. A few minutes later we were back on the attack. A scramble in the box allowed Zach to lay off the ball for Teddy who ran it to shoot it high and wide past the keeper. A well deserved goal for Teddy. Goal: Teddy, Assist: Zach. 2-4.
Gabriel in goal pulled off some cracking saves. Really brave and making himself intimidating if the opposition were ever through on goal. Gabriel took opportunity for us to counter attack and launched a ball forward. Zach with his pace got away from the defenders and ran on towards goal and took it to the side of the keeper slotting it home for a great hat-trick. Goal: Zach, Assist: Gabriel. 2-5.
In attack Zach was always a threat and on another day would have scored a few more. But on a heavy pitch that was a bit smaller than we are used to he did great to make space for himself, to create opportunities. We were really hitting our stride and an attack on goal was cleared by the Jaguars who put it out for corner. Elliott hit another fantastic corner into the box and our players capitalised. It fell to Zach who shot after a great touch, rattling the back of the net. Finally a bit of distance in the score line. Goal: Zach, Assist: Elliott. 2-6.
A few moments later, the opposition who never gave up succeeded in gaining a corner. A mix up near the front post gave them the opportunity to get one back. 3-6. Just before the final whistle we had one final attack. Lewis played a ball down the left to Elliott who continued down the left and played in Zach who dropped his shoulder and again went past the keeper and slotted it home, rounding of a much stronger second half. Goal: Zach, Assist: Elliott. 3-7.
Half highlight- we did a passing pattern and transition that was excellent. It started in the middle with Bradley winning the ball and passing it forward. Full time: 3-7
Full Time Message: After a sluggish start on a sluggish pitch we really started to find our way in the second half. We need more urgency and energy in our play. The togetherness of our team was evident today, as Jake although injured did not want to miss the game and came along to support th boys even though he couldn’t play. Thanks Jake, great team mate.
Final Score: Washington FC Jags 3 – 7 Warriors Team: Gabriel, Cassius, George, Lewis, Olly, Bradley, Dylan, Zach, Elliott, Teddy, Ryan, Kailym, Karam, Jacob, Jack Goals: Elliott x1, Zach x5, Teddy x1 Assists: Dylan x1, Olly x1, Zach x1, Gabriel x1, Elliott x2 MOTM: Teddy. Teddys energy and drive to win balls, play passes both safe and creatively was fantastic today. Teddy also got a well deserved goal. Fantastic game Teddy.
