UNDER 10 MATCH REPORT: LEFC 0 - 10 Aston on Trent

Man of the Match: Nass – an absolute rock at central defence – never gave up and encouraged his team mates to the last – a real leader.

The Squad: Tom S, Richard, Tom B, Robbie, Matt D, Nass, Ryan, Kieron, Josh, Matt H, Jake, William, Kieron

With 10 minutes to go and a 5-0 score line Emmanuel were on course to record a creditable result against the second best team in the whole of the Derby City League (worryingly we play the best team – Allestree - next week). Unfortunately the last 10 minutes were a bit of a video nasty. If there were a manager’s dug out at Derby Road I would have been hiding behind it.

William’s Dad had turned up with a jacket that had the word ‘coach’ written on the back and there were times when I was seriously tempted to run away and leave him in charge. However that would be unfair - the lads put in a lot of effort.

In amongst the carnage there were some encouraging signs on the pitch – we had players out there who didn’t look out of place on the same pitch as Aston. Josh and Matt H played with energy and commitment in midfield – their hard work stopped us getting completely overrun. Ryan was really strong when he came on at right back and saved a number of goals with his challenges. Nass played like a captain and Tom S made a number of good saves. William had arguably his best game of the season – I love it when he gets angry. Critically nobody gave up (well, just about nobody).

At times we strung together some passes and we looked as though we might score in the first part of the second half but a lack of anticipation or a poor final ball usually let us down.

Key areas to note:

• I get fed up of saying that if you can stop the top teams from crossing you can go along way to neutralising them. But for this to happen fullbacks have to be able to see and touch the opposition winger/wide man. If they ball watch the players from the best teams will go behind them every time.

• We have to close players down outside the box as well as in it. If they are allowed the time to shoot the players from the best teams are just as capable of scoring from outside the box as in it.

• Aston can control the ball and pass it with ease – this isn’t just down to ability – it also comes from practice. I live in hope that one day all of the lads in our team (not just some of them) will understand that they have to take practice seriously if they want to improve. There isn’t a player in our team who couldn’t get better with practice.

Last season Allestree Juniors scored 62 goals against us in 4 fluky wins. Next Saturday we have the pleasure of playing them again. Nothing like meeting up with old friends. Time to get one of those portable dugouts to hide behind me thinks…