The Official Scoreboard said 7-0

Yes, the opposition was good. Some might say very good!  But did they really score seven? Erm...  yes, and probably more than that!  But let's not be downhearted!  On the plus side we clearly enjoyed playing today. Yes, Ander, I did see you curled up on the ground in a giggling heap at the end!

But where can we improve?  In a word DEFENSE! We let (at least) seven goals in, so it seems quite clear that we need to improve at the back. We were outnumbered too many times and we didn't defend high enough up the pitch. 

What do I mean by that? 

Well, firstly, the opposition often had three players attacking against our two defenders.  When the opposition have the ball our midfield players must run back and help out our defenders and our attackers must run back to help the midfield.

Secondly, we all need to make sure that when we do have to tackle or challenge a player we do not "jump in" too early. We should try to make the attacker slow down and try to move him towards the walls. Don't allow him to move to the middle of the field where he can pass or shoot.

Finally, the defenders should move up the field more. If we do this we do not give the opposition players so much time on the ball and we force them to make mistakes early. But if they do get past us we must run back try again.

But the most important thing about today is that we had fun and we enjoyed ourselves. We tried hard right up until the final buzzer and we thanked our opposition who were very good sports!

Well done everyone!

Man of the match: Everyone! For enjoying yourselves despite the score!

Don't forget, Game #2 is this Sunday

Just a reminder...

Game #2 is this Sunday (February 23) at 1:25 on Field 1 at Concord.  That's at the Vetta complex on Tesson Ferry Road.

This week let's focus on using the walls to help us beat players and let's pressure their defenders and goalkeeper.  Midfielders you must remember to run up and down the field supporting the attackers and the defenders.

See you all Sunday at 1pm.

First Game Loss - how did that happen!!!

Well played everyone! I think we did very well given this is the first time in a year many of us have played together, and played indoors.

So I was really surprised we lost 7-2. It honestly didn't feel like we were at the receiving end of that!

Jack Dobbs was as brave as ever in goal and I hope is recovered after his second half collision with an opposition player.  Ander Clark was effective up front and "netted" two great goals which kept us in touch at the end if the first half.

So what do we do to improve? 

Forwards must press hard on the opposition defense and especially their goal keeper. Stand in his way; don't let their defenders have any time on the ball. When we put them under pressure they made mistakes and we a scored goals. Try to stay up field (remember there is no offside) and let the midfield pass to you.

The midfield did well, but we must pass more and use the wall to get around opposition players. We must also run back to help our defense. In the second half I think we got tired and we let too many attacks get past us.

Our defenders did well but lost some concentration at the end. We must press up the field; to the half way line or over it to support our midfielders when they attack. When the opposition attack we must not lunge in to make a tackle, but we should try to force the player wide, away from the goal, and into the wall.

But well done everyone. You played really well and played to the end!

Man of the match: Ander Clark for scoring 2 goals and for his all his running running running!