First 7v7 game today with 2 debutants in Joseph Collins and Chester. We were without Charlie and Jack G today so we only had the 1 sub so the lads knew they’d have to put a shift in.
In all previous games with Hilda it’s always been close either a draw or a goal in it as we’re about the same ability, which is why I was keen for them to be our first game, that and friendlies are a minefield of coaches egos.

We started strong and moved the ball about well, and seen the lions share of the ball and played the majority of football in Hilda’s half. The first real chance came from us when Joe crossed the ball into Mikey but it wasn’t ment be. Joe broke the deadlock by winning the ball in and dancing around the defence, every spectator knew he was going to bury it when he side stepped the ball to his left foot and slotted it past the keeper. The goal got into our heads a bit and we took our foot off the gas and let Hilda get back into the game. They scored off a well volleyed corner into the top corner, poor Jack was helpless. Their second came minutes later when we failed to close the winger down and he ended up 1v1 with Jack and slotted one into the corner.

Second half and we were a little more organised and on the front foot again but couldn’t get our shots off, Hilda was the same they broke well and fast but couldn’t get the final shot on target. The game was going to be decided on who scored next and fortunately for us it was Mikey putting a rocket into the bottom corner.

Well done to all the boys today, it was warm and only having 1 sub ment there was a lot of work to do to keep up in the game.

All in we held our positions well and used the size of the pitch (mostly) the biggest difference was gauging the size of the pitch, both for power on passes and closing balls down but that’s more than workable. We’re a much stronger team as a 7 than we were as a 5 and only having 3 subs and 20 minutes longer game time will mean we get into more of a rhythm in games.

Today’s MOTM was a tough one as they all played really well but we opted for Chester. This was Chester’s first football match and both his game play and attitude were fantastic and he was u lucky not to get a goal for his efforts, one which wouldn’t been up there for goal of the season (before it even started) where he chipped it up back to goal and turned and caught it on the volley. Well done Chester!