Team: Howl,
McNab, Woodland, Middleton, Hood, Russell, Sinclair
Subs: Lister, Price, Olver
Back after the international break straight into a really tough
game, this team finished 3rd in the division above last year and
going on games this season, look to be the team to beat. A full
compliment of players for the coaches to choose from, and the
familiar 2 – 3 – 1 formation was adopted.
Straight from the off Evesham pushed hard, they are a big side
especially in height, and are quick, they are not letting Westbury
have any time on the ball. Within the 1stminute Evesham won a free
kick near the Westbury corner flag. The free kick was very well
taken and it sailed into the top corner past Howl in goal, nothing
could have been done to stop the shot, it was too good. Evesham
obviously had worked on a plan for the oppositions kick off, because
as soon as the ball moved, 3 Evesham players sprinted at the
Westbury player with the ball, again as before not giving them any
time on the ball. A smart piece of defending from Woodland stopped
the Evesham attack but unfortunately gave away a corner. A little
bit like the free kick, the corner sailed into the top corner 0 – 2,
the crowd and the players looked shocked, this was the first time we
had encountered a team who used height on the ball.
Westbury started to gain a bit of traction in the game and a superb
move between Sinclair, Hood and Middleton got the ball through the
Evesham midfield with ease, Russell got into the move and managed to
get a shot off but he was under pressure and it went wide, but was a
good response from the Westbury team.
Evesham, who seamed to have a couple of strikers keeping Howl
company in goal, pushed forward again with speed, but Howl was more
than up to the task and dealt with the long ball well. Woodland and
McNab in defence who are being worked hard and are battling well,
are keeping the 2 big Evesham strikers in check, and trying to move
the ball through the Westbury midfield.
Middleton got a break and used his strength to keep the defender at
bay and still managed to get a shot off, but the keeper was well
placed and smothered it. A long ball from the keeper to the waiting
strikers, ending in a well taken goal, 0 – 3. Again from the kick
off, the Westbury player had no time on the ball from the speedy
Evesham players, the ball was passed out wide and was it a shot was
it a cross don’t know, but it ended up in the top corner 0 - 4,
Westbury really are struggling with the high balls that are being
rained down on them, all credit to Evesham they are a tall side and
using it well.
Bit of a swap Woodland off Price on, Sinclair off Lister on. Evesham
scored two very quick goals, just as Westbury were starting to get
into the game. Russell on the wing was being man marked, but managed
to break free, and scored a screamer, top corner 1 – 6.
McNab and Price who are the busiest on the pitch are getting an
understanding, but are coming under intense pressure, the resulting
corner that was sent in high hit the jumping Evesham player 1 – 7.
Lister taking a leaf out of Russell’s book was off down his wing and
a few twists and turns in the box left the defenders standing and
the shot passed the keeper looked a certain goal, until out of
nowhere an Evesham player booted it off the line. In a final high
ball attack of the half Evesham scored a very good goal 1 - 9.
Half Time 1 - 9
After the shock of the first half, the supporters did not know what
was going to happen this half, the coaches made a swap, Middleton
off Sinclair back on and ready to go and McNab off Olver on.
This time it was Westbury doing the pressing, Russell working hard
and getting a cross off to Olver who shot with his weaker foot or
was that his stronger foot? Anyway a good effort and showed Evesham
our intent.
Evesham must have been reading the Sam Allardyce book “how to score”
as another high long ball found the waiting strikers all too happy
to slot it home 1 – 10. The character of the team was showing
through, because heads never dropped, and the belief that they could
still get something from the game was still strong, everyone was
pushing hard, positions were being lost a little but it was good to
see the team playing as a team.
Westbury again kept the ball on the ground and were passing it well,
Russell to Sinclair to Middleton back to Sinclair, whose shot was
blocked but the follow up from Russell was close. Sinclair was off
down the line and forced a corner, well taken by Hood but with the
height of the defenders it was always going to be a big ask.
Evesham caught Westbury pushing forward and on the break 1 -11, ref
blew his whistle for full time, a very tough game for the lads.
Full Time: 1 - 11
MOTM: Russell – bagged the only Westbury goal and was
unlucky not to add a few more. He worked hard down the wing when he
got the chance, and his goal was a beauty, well deserved, well done
– Just want to add a special mention to the Westbury keeper Howl
who had a tough time today, and must have felt all he was doing was
getting the ball out the back of the net. The goals where scored,
with height are really tough to save and he shouldn’t worry at all,
especially as he still turned up and played even though he was under
the weather, well done.
Firstly, the score line flatters Evesham, take nothing away from
them they are a good side, they had a plan, came and executed that
plan effectively, but once Westbury worked out how to play them, it
was a much more even affair. We only conceded 2 goals in the second
half, so the team and the coaches should not be disheartened by the
score line, and lets not forget this team finished 3rdin the league
above last season! Let’s look forward to a return to winning ways
next week.
Managers Comments
The score line doesn't lie, we were second best for the whole of the
first half and didn't keep up our normal playing standard, the
passing was poor, we didn't track back, the tackling was weak and we
didn't play as a team. I am pleased that the second half was more
positive as we found our passing range and applied the pressure as
we have been over the previous games this season, unfortunately, we
left ourselves too much of an uphill challenge with the score line
from the first half but a good second half performance was what we
requested from you at half time, which is what you gave, lets learn
from it and move forward.
A special mention has to go to Howl who whilst under the weather
could do very little to prevent the goals and his main role was to
pick the ball out of the net, a thankless task but he didn't let
this affect him, well done.
The Man of the Match this week was an easy choice, he gave a glimmer
of hope in the first half with his persistent running at the
defenders, scored a sublime goal and never gave up in the second
half, a good performance Russell, well done. |
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