Friendly - Sunday 8^th November

Team: Dan, Harry L, Connor, Chris, Will, David, Sam, Oliver, Jack, Simon, Lewis   Subs: Harry M, Chico

Always a pleasure to welcome Wimbledon Hawks, albeit for a friendly in the absence of Surrey Cup opponents, and it turned out to be a very useful exercise against well-organised and very worthy opposition.

The game marked the debut of Sam and he quickly set about demonstrating what a useful asset he will be to the team, being at the centre of some neat one touch interchanges involving the likes of Harry L, Chris, David and Lewis. 

Opening exchanges were tight and Hawks pressed the play making it difficult to work the space and our shots were restricted to long range efforts.  Defensively with Connor and Chris secure we were able to springboard attacks and with Will deputising at left back in place of the missing tooth-impaled-in-eyebrow Toby, we looked in good shape.

As the half progressed we started to open up the play more and when Jack found Simon with a superbly weighted through ball, Simon was able to go and finish confidently to put us ahead. Chances came our way and Sam, Lewis, Harry M and Chico had efforts that either missed the target or were well saved.

 The second half started sluggishly and Hawks were quicker off the mark in settling down and threatening.  Without an injured Dan we had to rely on Ruaridh (1^st half) and Ollie (2^nd) to do the goalkeeping honours and although they did not need to weather sustained pressure, they were always on call to re-cycle back passes and keep things moving.  This is one of the more pleasing aspects of our game development this season where we are showing more confidence in our keeper to receive and work the ball up. A good finish from Lewis to make it 2-0 was enough to flush out the lethargy and we were back on track. 

The moment of the game when we got the third goal when Ruaridh fed Sam with a throw, Sam then switched the play by finding Chico who then played him back in behind the defender.  Sam’s clever back flick found Simon whose precise delivery found Jack ready and waiting to side foot home.  It was a goal straight out of the aspirational text-book on how we want football played, on the floor, sharp movement (of body and ball) and precise passing.  More please boys.

As the game neared the end and the tempo dropped again slightly, we allowed Hawks in to finish well and grab a goal that they deserved for their efforts.

So, a very pleasing morning’s football played between two teams trying to play football the right way.  Thank you to Hawks for coming down for the game, and we’d like to wish them – the boys, management and supporters – all the very best for the rest of the season.

Thank you to the parents who helped in the Clubhouse and with the goals.  Good effort guys.

Paul Turner