Mens E - Elite B

08 January 2012

Sunday certainly presented challenges for the improving E Team, most notably in the clothing department. Far too many woolly jumpers, balaclavas and scarves as the watery Winter sunshine burnt the 'haze' off and started to warm things up a bit. Chappie was so preoccupied by his under garment selection that he missed the start of the game all together, making some last minute adjustments. Chee went for slicks when he should have selected wets.

Nevertheless we started the game focused and energetic and immediately began to put pressure on Elite B. With the Skipper directing traffic from the back, the switches from one side of the pitch to the other began to flow with greater er ...flowiness. Andy's increased confidence in his team mates (after only three or four seasons) allowed him to release himself as he penetrated further up field. Sweeping majestically in front of the back three and always available in the pocket.

Having spent a large chunk of training last Thursday throwing aerials willy nilly, Rob was anxious to try one in a real game. Passes of that height and length are rarely seen in this division, and Elite B found the aerial bombardment hard to deal with. Rob's early pass and move game set the tone for others to follow and shammed Chappie into chucking numerous aerials up to the left winger who also found the aerial bombardment hard to deal with.

A good switch from the left to the right enabled a marauding Eugene to interchange with Matt and Angus creating further pressure on the right and when the ball came into the D Tony was quick to send it goal bound only to be saved of the defenders thigh. The umpire hesitated not before awarding the flick, which hit the side board as it was clinically executed by yours truly (to much relief all round).

We maintained our focus and kept Elite out after the restart, but they were clearly not beaten yet. Their principal tactic was to use their skipper who was sitting unmarked in the pocket behind midfield. Whenever he got the ball he had time to take aim and smack the ball to his forwards who were doing well to beat us to the ball and press forward. However our midfield and defense were up to the task and solid in turning over possession and playing the ball out of trouble and swiftly back into attack.

The big messages from the half time talk were:

i) defend the route to the goal and don't be pulled wide
ii) our forwards to rotate their positions with the rolling centre forward to hassle their play making skipper
iii) bring in the wide men when we are defending and congest the midfield so they are forced to go wide.

These tactics worked a dream in the second half and we not only absorbed a great deal of pressure, but continued to push hard for our second goal to kill off the game. Neil continues to win his one on ones and create opportunities up front. Mike and Matt held the midfield well, with Eugene, Speedy and Chappie wining the turnover ball and turning defense into attack intelligently. On the rare occasions they did get a shot off, DT was magnificent, making a couple of superb reflex saves. Social "Ragging Bull" at Centre Forward certainly left their Skipper in no doubt that he was getting some additional attention with the swelling crowd impressed by his commitment as he ran down the consequent, hurried pass, although his team mates recognise momentum when they see it ;o)

We also used our intelligence to retain possession whilst playing in their half, which enabled us to run down the clock for the last few minutes, with Shep leading by example.

Throughout the game we won more short corners, created more goal scoring chances and had more shots on target than Elite and it showed in the result at full time: a deserved 1:0 victory for the Mighty Es. They were well organised and skillful at the back, but our organised and hungry Press frequently forced errors on which we were able to capitalise.

The defensive strategy outlined at half time and executed in the second half will undoubtedly serve us well for next week against Pak B, who like attacking on the counter with long balls.

Special mention to Sam who took one for the team and volunteered to play for the Cs in the game that followed ours, thereby giving up his chance to take place in this very satisfying win.

Bring on Elite C !

Now who was it got the Green, fines master ?

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