On a day when neither side had league commitments, this friendly was arranged for two reasons – firstly for Bishops Cannings to check their progress after a narrow defeat against us a couple of weeks ago and secondly for Worton to prove that the result a couple of weeks ago was a ‘blip’.
The result proved one sided, but the match did not go without chances being created by Bishops Cannings.
A strong line up returned the convincing score – 4 more goals by Charlie and another by Harry meant Worton came out victors but there were some parts of the game that showed good and poor aspects.
Good – when we adopted short passing, almost 3 touch as we do in training, we were able to pass our way quickly through and past a congested midfield and defence. We created many chances and shots on goal and could have had a few more goals but for some good goalkeeping and poor finishing.
Poor – on two occasions their player picked up the ball and strolled past 3 or 4 Worton players without a substantial tackle being made – this cannot be allowed to happen – they must be stopped!! Additionally when we tried to dribble past too many players or did not look for the pass we often lost possession – once again some teams will punish us for this.
We did some good work in formations – starting 3-5-2, moving to 4-4-2 and a short spell at 3-4-3 – really dependant on who we had on the field at the time. Well done to all who moved positions during the game – especially to Alfie Miles-Hobbs who after 45 minutes on the wing swapped positions with James Black who had done very little in goal all game.
Overall, comfortable victory, good team work all around and a reasonably good warm-up for the cup match at Bishops Cannings on Saturday where I expect BC to have a couple of capable players back in their ranks.
Meanwhile, Derry Hill were unable to prevent Warminster Highbury winning their last league match. We now need to win our outstanding match to force a championship playoff with Warminster – I am still awaiting a League decision on when this match will be.
Once again a Man of the Match poll for players to complete (Coaches not on this one!!)
Another hat-trick by Myles Hickton helped the adults to a 6-1 victory over Bratton. A very quick start saw WCFC 2-0 up after only 16 minutes with goals for Myles Hickton and Danny Lyons. Instead of continuing to press the guys took their foot off the gas and were punished after 30 minutes with Bratton pulling one back. The second half was a different story. WCFC continued to press and Jamie Sandy scored with his first touch of the game on 54 minutes having replaced Chris Cole. Two more goals for Myles Hickton on 59 an 79 minutes saw him complete his tally. Ben Mason scored a thunderbolt goal 3 minutes from time to complete the scoring. The adults remain 3rd in the league and will continue to press for promotion helped no doubt by goal machine Hickton who so far in 11 league games has scored 22 goals.
After several weeks of indifferent form, at last a return to a more composed and confident team performance.
Before the game, we took advantage of the changing rooms, talked the team through formation and who moves where etc and hoped the boys put the plan into action. 4-1-4-1 was the preferred format for the day with Alfie Brinton providing some support for the defence and giving the midfield license to support the striker.
The game kicked off and the first 10 minutes had Melksham on top as once again Worton started slowly – something we need to solve, but as the game progressed, Worton took a greater foothold in the game. After 14 minutes, Charlie passed a ball through the middle of the defence onto which Harry Davies pounced and placed the ball low past the onrushing Melksham goalkeeper.
Now you would hope that some element of domination may break out but for the next few minutes Melksham came at us again and made things difficult. A discussion between the three coaches resulted in a tactical decision to go 4-4-2 with Charlie and Alfie holding the midfield and Harry supporting Jamo (more later) up front. Instantly a response..after 19 minutes, a cross by Harry was cleared by the Melksham defence and broke to Charlie about 20 yards out and he shot cleanly past keeper for 2-0. Within a minute it was 3-0. Joseph Skinner played a great ball between the centre back and the full back which caused some problems for the defence. Jamo pounced on the indecision of the defender to rob him and strike past the keeper. I think the coaches should be commended on the tactical decisions at this point!! Adam Edwards came on for Jamo who may have been still hampered by back injury sustained last week.
So 3-0 at the half, some changes to be made with Luke Hatch departing after a fantastic first half, winning every challenge made and generally stopping Melksham doing anything on that side of the pitch. James Francis replaced Luke. On the wing, Josh Francis came on for Joseph to provide some terrier tackling .
After 34 minutes another ball into the box was cleared to Charlie who struck past the helpless keeper. At that point, Charlie was withdrawn (to rest him after ANOTHER hat-trick!). After 37 minutes, Melksham broke up their left, Worton missed several chances to make a clearance, the ball eventually making its way across the pitch to result in a 2 vs 1 against James Francis who had no chance as Melksham scored and removed the chance of a clean sheet!!!
Worton added to the scoring in 46 mins, hard work down the right side resulted in a throw-in, thrown in by Josh which the defence semi-cleared and broke to Jamo to slot left footed into the corner of the goal.
After 51 minutes, Jamo in process of rounding the keeper was ‘taken out’ in the penalty box and a penalty awarded. Jamo was in a lot pain (or so he says) and had to be carried off. In future years that tackle may have been met with a sending off – but not at this level. An ice-pack and warm jacket along with some comforting words from his father like ‘You went down like you’ve been shot’ and ‘The BAFTA goes to JAMO’ along with ‘Drama Queen like his…..(cant say anymore here!).
Anyway, as a result of the penalty award, Alfie Brinton stepped up to smash the ball high past the despairing keeper.
Other mentions of the day go to Henry (Henri?) Luzi who had one of his best games of the season and to Simon and Jake for having excellent partnership in defence all match. Franky stopped talking and channelled his energy into attacking down the left wing until it ran out!! (He had recovered by the time we got to McDonalds)
James in goal had a mixed day – no chance with the goal and some good fortune from a shot that rebounded down off the bar and a shot that hit the post – not much else to handle.
I think 4-1-4-1 may work more often, just move some personalities around and I think we have something!!!
So the season goes on and with the news that Warminster beat Bishops Cannings 10-1, we will have to win our last league match against Castle Combe to force a title play-off (assuming Warminster take full points off Derry Hill). We do have a point to prove against them after our poor league performance there.
Next up : Friendly AWAY vs Bishops Cannings 1000 kickoff @ Green Lane followed by League Cup AWAY vs Bishops Cannings!
I think we need to show that last weeks performance against Bishops Cannings was a one-off!
Well – the tables will record this as a 3 point gain for the team, maintaining our equality with Warminster who recorded a 5-0 victory against Derry Hill.
Performance wise it wasn’t our best but perhaps its was a sign that we came out of it intact, rode our luck and got the breaks…perhaps an omen!!!
So what did we have…injury to Jamo in the warm up, Jake coming down sick on day of match, existing absence due to injury of Lewis and Callum, Harry off doing First Aid course – thank goodness for big squad as its being stretched at this time.
On the field – Charlie working really hard – although sometimes a little too deep for coaches liking, Simon snuffing out most attacks, James Francis and Luke Hatch not putting a foot wrong. Everyone else putting in a good shift. But despite all this, it was fairly disjointed. It looked like a lack of composure on the ball, bit of panic when we had possession, and failing to stop/tackle cleanly enough the opposition when they had the ball – they got past too easy! Perhaps something to work on in training?
The goals this week were scored by Franky Holdsworth and Alfie Miles-Hobbs.
Frankys goal in first half was an overhead kick which lobbed the keeper into the net. By the time Franky got home is was a stunning 25 yard overhead kick, 6 ft off the ground, straight into the top left!!!
Alfies goal was a result of good pressure by Henri on opposition which led to us regaining the ball which was then fed through to Alfie to run half the length of the pitch to place the ball past the keeper.
So, 2-1, 3 points, a little luck used up – but still joint top of the league. We WILL need a better ‘team’ performance next Saturday vs Melksham.
Just to add some spice, in 2nd round of League Cup we have been drawn away to Bishops Cannings – a chance to rectify Saturdays events.
This match allowed the coaching staff to experiment with positions for players, allowing players to be tested in different positions. Who would have ever thought that they would ever see Jamo being the furthest back player or goalkeeper James blasting a shot from 10 yards 30 yards over the bar!! A back four containing Charlie, Harry and Jamo ?? Well today was the day!!
Well this was all about getting players to appreciate how difficult things can be in different positions so as to enable them to appreciate the work of their team-mates in more normal games.
The goals.
1-0 Corner by Jamo into the 6 yard box, deflected by defender into net
2-0 Pass by Jamo into middle of penalty box and Jack Churches helps the ball past the keeper
3-0 Jamo pass (again) to Charlie, couple of touches before unleashing high into the top corner
4-0 Ball into the box, comes to Adam Edwards to controls before volleying past the keeper
5-0 Henri Luzi with a toe-poke (or outside of foot depending on what angle you looked from) past keeper
Half-Time 5-0
6-0 Several saves by the keeper before the ball breaking to James Black to volley high past the keeper
6-1 Shot from right saved by keeper (at that time) Joseph Skinner, unfortunately ball broke to Derry Hill player to nudge into the net despite Joes brave attempts to save.
Well done to Franky Holdsworth and Joseph Skinner for having a half match each in goals.
I’m sure three of the back four don’t want to be there again but it should have been valuable experience.
Good performances all around especially Luke Hatch who had great match in midfield followed by a good spell up front, nearly rewarded by goal when his shot went just wide of the goal.
Next up in League – Bishops Cannings at home (somewhere) Saturday 12th November.
