CRC 3 Leiston 2
This match always provides our young players with a good test. Leiston have players who could easily handle a higher level of football so we knew that we would have to match them physically and be clever tactically to match our two wins of last season.
We did just that, showing a fantastic work ethic and intelligence. With more quality in the final third we might have sewn up the points before the interval, and in the end we had to really "dig in" for a deserved victory.
Leiston like to play from the back so it was important that we defended well from the front and used our triggers to direct play inside, allowing us to pinch the ball as it was passed into their deep lying midfielder. Luke Berry did this brilliantly all afternoon but Jack Bailey and Adam Marriott, as well as the wide players, showed good discipline in making their play predictable.
The only element missing was our conversion rate of possession regained in their final third to chances created. Too often we looked for players rather than holes when driving at their back four, or took too long in and around the box to get our shots off. Both strikers were guilty of having too many touches with the goal in their sight but 'JP' showed how it's done, with an early strike beyond the advancing keeper after some good foraging from Maz.
We looked comfortable at this stage and were dominating possession, popping the ball about with confidence and purpose. Another tactic was to expose their centre backs by dragging their full backs high and wide. Usually in this league we want to leave our wide men to attack the opposition full backs 1v1 but both Leiston full backs have good pace. Therefore, we tried to get our wide players a little deeper than usual to receive the ball into feet, look for the quick set and then to slide the ball down the side of the centre backs in the space created behind their full backs.
These runs could be made by the forwards or a central midfielder and dragged the centre backs into wide areas where they looked uncomfortable. It also left holes inside for the opposite wide man or midfielder to exploit, and JP's goal was a case in point.
The goal we conceded on the stroke of half time was very disappointing as it came from a bog standard delivery that we should have dealt with. It also meant that we had no advantage in a game we were dominating. Apart from one or two details at either end of the pitch, there was not too much to address at the break. We knew that we needed to get the next goal though because the visitors are very difficult to break down once ahead but do over-commit players forward when behind and find it difficult to break down a well drilled unit.
In that context, we had a dream start to the second half. Maz finished the chance well with his left foot after persistence from Jack Bailey but it was an awful goal to concede from their perspective. We ended up defending too deep in the face of the expected response from Leiston but came through the spell intact thanks to a great save by Martin Davies.
That aberration apart, the back four gave us a more solid platform than in the opening 45 minutes and Luke Berry was like a magnet for the ball in midfield. His consistent level of performance is exceptional and any regular watchers of CRC will know that we have some player on our hands.
The injection of fresh legs brought the crucial next goal, with Owen Kessack (below) finishing with a flourish by lashing the ball into the far top corner from the inside left position.
Jack Bailey brought the best out of the visiting keeper with a curling drive before we handed Leiston another lifeline. A lack of communication from a corner against meant that we unnecessarily tracked a runner, leaving the edge of the box unguarded. The well rehearsed delivery exposed our lack of personnel and as we sprinted out to shut down the anticipated shot, were beaten on the player's first touch and upended him just inside the penalty area.
The resultant spot kick halved their arrears and made for a nervous last ten minutes, plus eight minutes of added time, mostly for several injuries which made our dressing room look like a hospital ward after the final whistle. The players handled themselves superbly though, stood up for themselves, were disciplined and coped admirably with the physical demands. A few years ago we could be bullied in this league but not anymore. A touch more composure may have led to a fourth goal or more possession in the final third but whilst we showed some naivety, the visiting keeper also made a brilliant save from Maz's attempted lob.
This was a well earned three points, gained with a good performance and yet there were still plenty of learning points. When we work this hard all the post-match analysis is about detail, which is the learning environment we must endeavour to create at all times but is governed by the application of the players.
We now go on the road with matches at Newmarket on Tuesday 15th, Brantham Athletic in the FA Vase on Saturday 19th, and Leiston's Under 18's in the FA Youth Cup the following mid-week (date to be confirmed) before resuming league action at Hadleigh the following weekend.
Team:
Davies, McAuley, Coakley, Carr, Hudson, Hughes, Eades (Kessack 70), Berry (Bevan 85), Bailey (Allen 75), Marriott, Patrick.
