Despite Shane Kind missing the assistant's flag and subsequent free kick for off-side, thus misinforming 2,300+ at the Abbey of the score, this was an impressive result against the odds at the end of a long week.
As we explained to the players before the game, we had plenty of excuses for the long unbeaten run to come to an end. Four games in eight days, minus Rory, JP, Ivesy & Maz, playing against a team in the top four with the league's highest scorer (23 in 14) etc, etc. To add to our problems, Luke Berry was forced off the pitch in the opening 15 minutes following a crude challenge that made contact with his upper thigh.
What we also said to the players though is that weak-minded individuals use excuses. Our team was good enough to win if we had the resolve, determination and mental toughness associated with winners. To show the discipline, character and resilience to grind out three points was very pleasing and shows the benefit of competing in such a competitive and demanding competition. You cannot replicate what we faced this week in a cosy youth league, played against players of your own age or younger, where results don't matter on training pitches like billiard tables in front of two sets of parents.
In eight days we have faced the rough and tumble of real football, on different quality pitches, against two direct teams and one trying to play football, all away from home, with points at stake, in front of paying spectators, pitting our wits against physically stronger and more experienced players, some who have plied their trade at a higher level.
I believe that you learn more about your players when they are under the most pressure, out of their comfort zone. This is also when they learn the most. In those terms, whilst it would be physically impossible every week, the last eight days has been a brilliant learning curve for the players. They have been tested physically and mentally to the limit and come through unscathed in terms of results, with certain individuals coming to the fore and others having their weaknesses exposed. As a group though, their professionalism in preparation and recovery between fixtures has been fantastic.
The opening half hour at Stanway, especially after the early loss of Luke Berry, was difficult as the home side set out with a high tempo, pressurised us at every opportunity and kept us on the back foot. Martin Davies wasn't tested in our goal but we couldn't put two passes together and were at full stretch to maintain parity. We slowly got a foothold in the game and posed the odd threat before the best moment of the half, from either team, gave us the lead.
Jordan Johnson controlled the ball well on our left flank and hit a deep cross into the box which Jack Eades retrieved going away from goal. With nothing on, he showed great skill in beating his man, getting to the bye-line and whipping a low cross past their keeper for Jack Bailey (below) to tap in at the far post. It really was great play from Jack Eades and another glimpse of his match winning potential.
We tried to put one or two details right at half time, especially involving our shape in possession of the ball going forward and speed of our transition from defence to attack. When you are protecting a lead away from home you must carry a threat to keep their players in (position). If you simply retreat, keep a good defensive shape and surrender possession, they will release full backs, midfield players and weight of pressure will inevitably result in a goal.
We had the ability going forward to cause the home team more problems than we posed in the first 45 minutes. All Nolan & I could see from them were long diagonals we had to defend against their big no.10, especially second balls because they isolated him and he would always win his fair share, and being left 1v1 with the 9 from balls in behind. Otherwise, long throw-ins and set plays were the only danger.
The goal we conceded was unbelievably soft and very disappointing having worked so hard for an advantage. I won't name names but we gave away a needless free kick and then the wall split to allow a mishit shot to take a huge deflection and trickle in past the wrong-footed Martin Davies.
With 25 minutes remaining there was a delay as one of the assistants pulled a hamstring and couldn't continue. We agreed for a Stanway official to run the line after assurances of his competency by the referee and the match continued. The break seemed to galvanise our team more than theirs. We looked more positive and started to make the odd half chance through more considered approach play. Jack Eades hit another fantastic cross that just eluded his onrushing namesake, Jack Bailey, did get on the end of a similar delivery from Jordan Johnson on the left but was denied by the home keeper and then dragged a shot wide when a squared pass for Liam Hughes was the better option.
With ten minutes remaining we made the breakthrough. Daz Coakley struck an inswinging free kick that somewhat ironically, as he had caused such a threat in our box, their 10 diverted into his goal with a flying header. When these balls are delivered into the right areas with this pace they are almost impossible to defend.
We saw out the last ten minutes without any major scares and Martin Davies again showed his value by taking two high balls brilliantly under massive pressure. It makes a big difference when you know the opposition need to put a quality ball into the box to cause danger rather than just getting it underneath the crossbar.
One constant throughout the game was Blaine Hudson. Others performed well, most notably Jordan Johnson and Daz Coakley, whilst the Jacks had their moments, but he was a colossus and held our back four together. He seemed to be a like a magnet for the ball, winning every header, clearing the ball properly off both feet, defending well 1v1 and using the ball intelligently. He looked a leader, leading vocally and by example.
If he could maintain these standards he would be a dead cert for a pro contract and would challenge next season for a starting birth in the first team. Blaine just needs to realise that he will always be judged on how well he defends, not how good he looks on the ball. The latter is great but never at the expense of the former.
Not sure what we will do this week as we don't play again until a week on Sunday, against Enfield 1893 in the FA Vase! The week without a game will allow Nolan to get some good work done on the training pitch, time for one to ones with each of the scholars and to help the likes of Jack Igglesden, Chris Tonks and Owen Kessack improve their fitness after injury and illness.
The one thing for certain is that there will be no respite for the players. There is always work to do and the following week has thrown up three massive games in the FA Vase, in the FA Youth Cup against Tranmere Rovers, and at home to Needham Market, one of the two teams above us in the Ridgeons League.
Team:
Davies, Bevan, Coakley, Carr, Hudson, Hughes, Eades, Berry (Allen 15), Bailey, Thorpe, Johnson
