Young Bulls win in first game since December 10th to start second half of the season well.
Yesterday we played against a Chelsea team based in Dartmoor. Chelsea have 3 teams in the PLFL, one based at Cobham which is considered their number 1 team that we beat in the National Cup, and two others in different areas to broaden their horizons in recruitment. Chelsea FC (Dartmoor) are in our league and a 3-1 home victory took us above them to 5th, with games in hand on every team still remaining.
It was also our fist game since Hereford United were wound up, which means our end goal has now been changed. I said to the players before the game that their aim now should be to be playing at Edgar Street in the first game next season for the new Hereford team (fingers crossed) although unfortunately our success this season may see some players move on before then, something I will post about later on in the week.
To the game and we started very well, a 6 week break of games could of affected us but it didn't. It was easy to see we were the better team from the first whistle. We had the strong wind behind us and we made it count, keeping Chelsea mainly camped in their own half and deservedly took the lead. Matty Owens good ball in from the right gave the keeper a problem and Alex Lilwall was on hand to score into an empty net. Lilwall then on 32 minutes was felled in the box and Carlos Moriera put the spot kick away with confidence. Our passing was good and productive, the back four not scared to play to each other on a testing pitch and Lewis Fletcher in midfielder controlling the game for us. We created a few more half chance in the first 45 minutes and went into the break having not conceded a shot to Chelsea.
The team talk was tell them we need more of the same. Chelsea would have to come and do something against us as the first half was so one sided. I warned them of the wind now against us and that we had to battle hard in the first 10-15 minutes to make sure we didn't let them back in, and that our passing style would continue to win us the game.
The wind didn't effect us in the second half, but our discipline did. We have had a problem in games where we always go quiet and sloppy for around 20 minutes in the second half. We started well but the after the hour players started to do their own thing, stopped working hard and generally took their foot off the gas and it almost cost us. Players trying to take people on in the wrong areas, not getting back into their defensive shape and giving away silly fouls let Chelsea back in and they scored with 10 minutes to play from a free header following a set piece. In reality the game had gotten to comfortable for us and it had effected our professionalism. The goal kicked us back into gear and we had a couple of chances to score before Will Lawley put the game to bed in injury time. A great touch and finish after a quick break away and ball from Matty Owen gave the scoreline a more just feeling, but a better team would of made us pay.
If the aim is to get these lads ready for a first team then they can't let the scoreline of a game influence their discipline. If I was on the pitch I would of been having a go at a few players in the last 30 minutes and pulling them around and I told them that they need to be doing that to each other. I look at Matty James, Chris May, Lewis Fletcher and our returning captain Joe Davies to become men now and start to sense when it is happening, and let players know if they aren't doing their jobs.
In the end it was a very good performance. Their goal was the only shot on target they had and it fills me with confidence going into next weeks Quarter Final at Victoria Park with Oxford United. Oxford have been known to play their scholars in the competition so it could be a very tough game. Once again all are welcome and we would like to thank the 30-40 people that turned up to watch yesterday.
Team: Benn Pugh, Liam Taylor, Simon Morgan, Matty James, Chris May, Lewis Fletcher, Robbie Trumper, Carlos Moriera, Matt Owen, Alex Lilwall, Tom Gameson
Subs: Will Lawley, James Obern