ENGLAND'S NUMBER 1

Subs

• Doyle for Powell

• Stanley for P.Barber

• Evans for M.Barber

Not used

•  McLoughlin

I’ve had a few hours to go over the game in my mind now and I think I am even more impressed with how the players responded to last week’s criticism.  My main disappointment last week was the basics had gone out of the window.  Even things like goal kicks, throw ins and corners.  I spent most of Tuesday night and the time before the game today reminding the players of their individual roles within the team unit.   We would need to re-discover the things we had been doing right if we were to get anything out of this game against a tough and talented Hanbury unit.

Once again we were at full strength with 15 players turning out.  It creates an nice problem with selection although an unfortunate one in the sense that we can only make three subs so at least one person won’t feature on a given week.  Last week it was Matt Doyle and today was Dylan.  The lads have responded well so far.  The biggest difference between this season and last is that we no longer feel obliged to make substitutions just to give everyone a game.  We have adopted a stronger stance and the best 11 is picked that we think will get us 3 points in that given game.  Unfortunately with 15 in the squad there will never be 15 happy squad members, as some will be missing out on the starting 11.  This is un avoidable and there is nothing we can do.

To the game.  We stuck with the team who have served us so well over recent months.  Even though they were disappointing last week they were told on Tuesday that they would all have a chance to make up for that poor performance.  That once again left us with a strong looking subs bench.

The pressure was on the starting 11.  We started fairly slowly as we struggled to get to grips with the more physical side of Hanbury.  In the end Henner’s and co in midfield began to win more ball and we started to become more of an attacking force toward the end of the half.  Graham had scored for us with a typical finish latching onto Henry’s through ball with a bit of help from Paul Barber.  We could have even been 2 up at half time with Alex’s super shot cannoning back off the bar and Henner’s unable to turn in the rebound.  It’s encouraging to see our midfield getting chances to score.  Matt Barber had a good 1st half, his best in a while.  He terrorised the Hanbury full back.

Our half time lead was in thanks mainly to the efforts of Ryan Stokes.  Only 2 months ago Ryan was at an all time low after the Moor Green game.  Billy and Zena were ever so grateful to the encouragement from all the players and supporters in helping Ryan forget about that game.  Since then Ryan has been as safe as houses and has grown in confidence by the week.  Today Ryan paid back the players and fans for their support in the best way possible by keeping us in the game at crucial and being a massive part of our great victory.  A string of blocks and saves helped Ryan to his 1st man of the match award of the season. 

To add to that, Mark Williams was back to his very best.  The most composed 12 year old in the league and one of our stars of the season so far.  I gave Deano a bit of a rollocking for letting his high standards dip last week.  Today he was back to the consistent form that has made our right hand side such a potent weapon this season. 

The performances of everybody last week were a mere shadow on today.  Alex was a constant threat in the 2nd half.  James was getting forward again with his devastating crosses and the substitutes again went on and made an impression.

Graham doubled our lead in the 2nd half with a cracking left foot strike from Matt Doyle’s clever through ball.  Hanbury were back in the game when we failed to clear a corner.  Grahams hat-trick was complete after he latched onto the keepers fumble to make it 3-1…That’s 19 for the season.

Hanbury had a brave late push and got a goal back but we held on to win 3-2.  A super win.  A brave, gutsy performance with touches of great football at times and deadly finishing.

Well-done boys.  What a response you gave us.  We are still up there in the league.  Next week we have a tough cup match against Knowle Dragons.  With the same determination and spirit we can continue our cup run.

Steve