UNDER 14's MATCH REPORT: LEFC 1 - 4 St.Georges

I could just as well copy and paste sections from previous match reports this year rather than write a new one. It was the same old problem of half the team being asleep, showing no awareness, no anticipation and general apathy when they didn't have the ball. Some were apathetic when they did have it. Whilst St.Georges ran around trying to get as many touches as possible, chased back and work hard to get behind the ball when they lost possession the Emmanuel team ambled about at a leisurely pace and occasionally stuck a foot out hoping the ball would magically appear at their feet. If football matches were won through contemplation then we'd have won 20-0, sadly they require 11 driven athletes working together for a common cause. It was like watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarf's, but all the dwarf's were called Dopey. I'm not sure who was Snow White.

If we don't get our act together we will become a soft touch for other teams and considering the ability in this squad that would be criminal. This ability must however be matched with desire and courage, sadly 2 things which at the moment can only be seen in a handful of players. Several times yesterday Ed and myself witnessed players going in for 50/50 challenges with their backs turned. It's hard to win a ball when you have no bottle, but even harder if you can't see it. You must all be confident in your ability and committed to your actions. Another disappointing aspect of the game was that despite our poor start we managed to get back into the game at 2-1. Everything was there for us to take but we failed to impose ourselves at all. Things don't just happen, you make them happen. We showed no urgency at all and wasted time by booting the ball out of play instead looking for a team mate. When we did have a throw in ourselves we showed no desire to get the ball back quickly and get it in play but instead waited for a nearby spectator to get to ball for us. You should be sprinting after the ball, fighting for every last second of time to get something from the game.

On the positive side we scored a great goal with some excellent work by Dan down the left and a superb cross onto the head of the ever determined Alex. The fact that Alex had been knocked over by a car the previous night and still showed the desire to get up the next morning and come and play through the soreness is an example of the commitment we need. Well done Alex. As always Isaac ran his ass off trying to make something happen, as did Patryk, but if they are to become a great midfield partnership they must work together more as too many times they were separated. Together they can be stronger than any midfield this league has seen. Another great performance was Adam, who although only brought on at half time got stuck in and did what I asked of him. Within 30 seconds of kick off he'd already won the ball in a crunching challenge, no fear there.

I want to make it clear as I did yesterday that I have a lot of faith in this squad and perhaps my expectations are high, but we must push each other, expect more and try and fulfil our potential as a team. We have the perfect opportunity next weekend to put this performance behind us and show St.Georges that you are a good team who will offer them much more of a fight.

I expect everyone to be 100% focussed at training on Wednesday because I hope that the last few matches have upset you as much as it has myself and Ed.

COME ON EMMANUEL!

Goal: Alex Bucknor

Toby of the Match: Adam

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