Hollow victory but it was still a positive game after so many bitter defeats.
Apart from the fact they had only 5 players (no subs and at least 1 new face), we had our strongest lineup since beating Green Man 12 - 5. Although that didn't prevent our traditional nervous start, as Old Swan netted the first goal. Took about 2 minutes before Rob powered through and scored our first which woke our team up and Craig started a wee flourish of goals himself.
After 8 minutes everyone knew the game was basically over, with no subs their team could only manage the odd bit of sustained pressure. It's difficult to really give a fair judgement on the team performance due to the circumstances. We played some nice football at times, scored some classy goals but on the other hand, should have scored a lot more and with players like myself still getting back to fitness, the odd individual mistake happened.
It will be interesting to see how next weeks game against Positive Futures goes.
Goals: Craig (6), Burke (1), David (1), Mercer (1), Rob (5), Ste H (3), Stimo (2)
Team from: Craig, Burke, David, Graeme, Mercer, Rob, Ste H, Stimo
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Hilltop 5 - 11 Celtic
As has been the case often this season, we struggled to find enough players to pay, nevermind play! So much so, I had to make an early return due to 4 first teamers out and some fringe players being unable to play. So with myself only having played one game in 3 and a half months, plus the likes of Gary who has only played once for the team. Well, it's not difficult to imagine an outcome.
The wet conditions didnt help things. We like to play counter attacking but with the ball skimming at every pass, it made things that more difficult to latch on to and make the chances count. If i'm being honest it has usually been this way anyway, regardless of the heavy rain. Our goals mainly came from 1-2's, interlinking from the wings or quick passing on the counter. Something we really need to do more often, as we can't rely on through balls when people are being lazy in defence.
We have in the past been able to rely on the long efforts and through balls because defensively, we could keep their score down. Half-way has fizzeled out a long time ago due to selfish individual defensive play. Mainly because the front defenders commit themselves early, by pushing up high and leaving the backline f#cked.
I dont know if these players are doing this intentionally so they don't have to work as hard or not, i aint sure but it needs to change if we want to avoid the drop. What's more annoying to see, is the times this happens, its those players who are first to complain when somebody gets skinned and a goal occurs. Our tactics are pretty simple, if your man aint involved in play (ie playing sweeper in their half as cover), then its your job to cover cross-field passes and when possible, double up on the man with the ball.
Individually nobody except graeme played well and for anybodys good piece of play, there would be bad control or lazy tracking.
This might seem a harsh review considering 2 players weren't match fit (myself & craig) and we were missing Rob but that doesn't excuse laziness, especially from players who should know better.
Goals: Craig (2), David (2), Ste H (1), Stimo (2),
Team From: Craig, David, Gary, Graeme, Ste H, Ste M, Stimo
The wet conditions didnt help things. We like to play counter attacking but with the ball skimming at every pass, it made things that more difficult to latch on to and make the chances count. If i'm being honest it has usually been this way anyway, regardless of the heavy rain. Our goals mainly came from 1-2's, interlinking from the wings or quick passing on the counter. Something we really need to do more often, as we can't rely on through balls when people are being lazy in defence.
We have in the past been able to rely on the long efforts and through balls because defensively, we could keep their score down. Half-way has fizzeled out a long time ago due to selfish individual defensive play. Mainly because the front defenders commit themselves early, by pushing up high and leaving the backline f#cked.
I dont know if these players are doing this intentionally so they don't have to work as hard or not, i aint sure but it needs to change if we want to avoid the drop. What's more annoying to see, is the times this happens, its those players who are first to complain when somebody gets skinned and a goal occurs. Our tactics are pretty simple, if your man aint involved in play (ie playing sweeper in their half as cover), then its your job to cover cross-field passes and when possible, double up on the man with the ball.
Individually nobody except graeme played well and for anybodys good piece of play, there would be bad control or lazy tracking.
This might seem a harsh review considering 2 players weren't match fit (myself & craig) and we were missing Rob but that doesn't excuse laziness, especially from players who should know better.
Goals: Craig (2), David (2), Ste H (1), Stimo (2),
Team From: Craig, David, Gary, Graeme, Ste H, Ste M, Stimo
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Hilltop 5 - 11 NGLM
Matched kicked off 22 minutes late and resulted in a shortened game (20mins each way), although the ref only decided to tell us this after the final whistle! Good thing about this was it allowed a proper team warmup. It's so benificial when everyone can do their own warmups and then getting everyone together for short, 1-touch passing and some low quick crosses from the wing.
Was a good game of football with each team playing cleanly. Neither side really had any weak links and we defended well for the most part, just going forward we rushed a few passes or didnt provide much options for our man on the ball. Some goal chances should have been taken as well, gotta keep those shots on goal low and hard.
Rob had a class game and was unlucky not to get 5, hit the bar & post 3 times! Likewise, both keepers played brilliant.
Goals: Rob (2), David (2), Stimo (1)
Team from: David, Graeme, Rob, Ste Mahoney, Stimo, Tim
Was a good game of football with each team playing cleanly. Neither side really had any weak links and we defended well for the most part, just going forward we rushed a few passes or didnt provide much options for our man on the ball. Some goal chances should have been taken as well, gotta keep those shots on goal low and hard.
Rob had a class game and was unlucky not to get 5, hit the bar & post 3 times! Likewise, both keepers played brilliant.
Goals: Rob (2), David (2), Stimo (1)
Team from: David, Graeme, Rob, Ste Mahoney, Stimo, Tim
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Hilltop 9 - 11 CSKA
Match report written by David.
Another match another defeat, it was an average performance against an average team. We were low on numbers and short on experience and it was going to be an uphill struggle. The opposition were a number of players from a few different teams in our division, they were young, scrappy but also a fit & healthy side that showed throughout.
We started well with good attacking and defensive play, with around 10minutes on the clock we were winning 50-50's, tracking our men, passing well and the main thing, we had the advantage with the scoring. As players changed, so did the scoreline, pushed us back onto the back foot, with very poor defensive play on our behalf they were finding time and space to increase the scoreline.
As we entered the first half we lacked the attacking movement and confidence but in the second half we improved and entered the half as we did the first. We clawed ourselves back into the match with better finishing and link-up play. With only minutes remaining and only one goal to draw level, we pressed but couldn't find the breakthrough, with them getting a late goal on the counter. Overall it was a disspointing match with few positives, so as loosing comes a formality, it looks like a relagation dogfight is what this season is all about.
Goals: David (2), Liam (2), Mahoney (1), Mercer (1), Stimo (3)
Team from: David, Gary, Graeme, Liam, Ste Mercer, Ste Mahoney, Stimo,
Another match another defeat, it was an average performance against an average team. We were low on numbers and short on experience and it was going to be an uphill struggle. The opposition were a number of players from a few different teams in our division, they were young, scrappy but also a fit & healthy side that showed throughout.
We started well with good attacking and defensive play, with around 10minutes on the clock we were winning 50-50's, tracking our men, passing well and the main thing, we had the advantage with the scoring. As players changed, so did the scoreline, pushed us back onto the back foot, with very poor defensive play on our behalf they were finding time and space to increase the scoreline.
As we entered the first half we lacked the attacking movement and confidence but in the second half we improved and entered the half as we did the first. We clawed ourselves back into the match with better finishing and link-up play. With only minutes remaining and only one goal to draw level, we pressed but couldn't find the breakthrough, with them getting a late goal on the counter. Overall it was a disspointing match with few positives, so as loosing comes a formality, it looks like a relagation dogfight is what this season is all about.
Goals: David (2), Liam (2), Mahoney (1), Mercer (1), Stimo (3)
Team from: David, Gary, Graeme, Liam, Ste Mercer, Ste Mahoney, Stimo,
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