U14s Youth - Matchday 2: 20th Sept 20 Home Vs Harefield

Matchday 2: 20th Sept 20 Home Vs Harefield (H)

Squad: Ben, Emie, Darragh, Alex, Callan, Charlie S, Noah C, Dan, Rohan, Max LB, Kieran & Harley.

It’s been a crazy week but probably a sign of the things to come!

Another glorious Sunday morning with lovely blue sky, bright sunshine but this time at our other home at Bowlers.

With a number of players out and only 12 to pick from, I went with a 1-4-4-1-1 formation. Ben started in goal, with a back four of Charlie at left back, Alex and Emie at centre and Darragh at right back. Midfield 4 of Kieran, Noah, Rohan and Max LB. Dan in the advance midfield role supporting Harley up top with Callan as the sole sub.

Harefield have a number of useful players and Dynamos needed to the be on their game. Harefield started the better with the pattern of play and many duels becoming apparent. Alex and Emie had their hands full with a strong centre forward and quick sidekick. Both stood firm but Harefield had other threats with a couple of useful players in their midfield. The first goal, not surprisingly, came from Harefield with a nice move finished with a shot which Ben had no chance. 0-1

Dynamos had an opportunity to get back level. Harley had a great run beating the right back and then the centre back and was bearing down on goal with the keeper to beat. With the option to square the ball to Dan, Harley tried an audacious scooped lob which agonisingly floated passed the far post.

Dynamos began to settle more and after a spell of possession between Charlie, Kieran, Dan, Noah and Rohan, Noah decided to take the game to Harefield. Noah twinkle toed through the midfield and with no defenders closing him down, shot from outside area over the keeper. Great individual goal and Dynamos were back level. 1-1 (Goal Noah, assist err Noah)

The threat was constant from Harefield but the boys and Emie stuck at. With energy levels flagging I brought on Callan for Kieran and shifted Max to the left of midfield and pushed Darragh into centre mid with Rohan now out on the right. The impact was almost immediate () with Callan hitting a clearance perfectly to Rohan on the right corner of the Harefield penalty box. The ball sat up and Rohan caught it perfectly and it flew into the top corner, keeper had no chance and Dynamos were ahead. 2-1 (Goal Rohan, assist Callan)

HT: 2-1

The message and aim was to continue in the same vain as the last 10-15 mins of the 1st half. But that was easier said than done. Harefield’s constant threat through the midfield and attack put Dynamos under a lot pressure. Emie and Alex were being tested with a strong tricky striker and they had to be at their best using all their pace and strength. Darragh, now in midfield, was equally relishing the physical battle. Callan and Charlie were both in the thick of it and held firm with some timely tackles and interceptions. Max and Rohan had to work hard to support in attack and defence.

It wasn’t long before Harefield were level after a long shot. 2-2

The individual battles and general fatigue on a warm morning was taking its toll and 2-2 became 2-3.

The final nail in a long physical and footballing battle against a very good team, came in the form of a penalty. Emie was adjudged to have taken the player as well as the ball. From a Managers perspective (including Harefield) and former defender (yours truly), it looked like a perfect challenge.

FT: 2-4

Disappointing result but the performance to get back into the game and take the lead was encouraging against a very good team. We needed to be at our best for the whole match but on a warm day and with only one sub it was going to difficult but we gave ourselves a chance going into half time.

Ben could do nothing with the goals. Rest of his game was solid and came out well onto through balls. Now with a couple of games under his belt, need to develop passing out from the back and equally for the team to work together on this. Tough match for the defence (defending as a team in general) with 2 very good strikers who were strong, tricky, dynamic who were a constant threat. Alex, Emie, Darragh, Callan and Charlie were resolute in defence. 1:1 situations were tough but they won their fair share and I saw some new defending skills developing and I’m sure they will have learnt a lot. Kieran had a tough game and need to find a way to get him into the game as he has ability on the ball. Max did well second half but it was tough supporting and defending and the need to work on positional play. Rohan and Noah scored two great goals. Saw glimpses of possession and passing play and need them to do that more. Need to work on defending against tricky midfielders and be more solid on goal kicks. Dan was a little frustrated with opportunities but kept going till the end. With the changes upfront, need to find a way to develop a partnership with Harley. Harley on another day could have had a hattrick and a couple of assists. Got into some great positions and need look to involve others when in tight positions.

Plusses are the squad is getting fitter and there were moments during match against Chalfont and Harefield to build on. Encouraged when we have possession, we can control the match and create chances and compete with any team.

Moment of the match was twinkle toed Noah and great finish.

Player of the Match: In a losing cause, there were a number of candidates; Alex, Callan, Charlie and Emie defending, Harley’s runs, two great goals from Rohan and Noah, but for me PotM was….Callan considering he started on the bench but when he came on was resolute, tackled well, made some notable interceptions and got an assist.