Lakeside 4 v 0 Russell Vale

I really don’t have a lot of time for these hoof ball teams, it be may be effective as the result today demonstrates but it’s ugly and the kids aren’t learning how to play football. Lakeside had three decent players, two at the back, one quick kid up front and no midfield to speak of, mind you with their style of football they didn’t need one. For some inexplicable reason we failed to pick up their nippy little striker from start to finish and needless to say he scored three of their four goals and could of had more.

Now onto Russell Vale, it’s not often you see a team with twins in the side but today we actually fielded a side with two sets of twins Christian/Bailey & Jack/Sean, I’m just glad they’re not identical.

Right from the off Russell Vale had the majority of possession but the nearest we came to scoring were a couple of half chances from Jordan Errington and Riley Hanlon. Ten minutes into the game and against the run of play a misdirected header set up Lakeside to break away and score with their very first attack. However the turning point of the game came on the stroke of HT when Baxter Bowler Prentice was clean through with only the keeper to beat and was cynically brought down from behind in the box, incredulously the ref waved play on.

After the break we never controlled the game in the same way and Brody Armour couldn’t do much about the three goals that followed but he did do his best to keep the score line down. Our lack of concentration at the back and lack of chances up front gave the initiative back to Lakeside who took full advantage.

Throughout the match the Cobras tried to stay true to their game by passing out from the back and spreading the ball wide for the lively Christian and Bailey Baade Mortimer to take off down the wings. Unfortunately all too often the passing broke down in the final third because of our inability to hold up the ball, bring other players into the game and pressurise their defensive line into making a mistake. As a result we were forever chasing long punts back towards our own goal especially in the second half and with disastrous consequences.

After the game I told the players not to worry about the result as they were by far the better footballing team but we do have to work harder as a unit and not rely on individuals.

This result leaves us third from bottom on goal difference, so our destiny comes down to the final round at home against Tarrawanna next Friday evening.

YNWA

Coach