CHADWELL HEATH (1) –v- BHR (0)

23/01/05

We started today’s game quite brightly with a good move ending with a shot, which shaved the outside of the post after a Chadwell player hadn’t touched the ball. The game became scrappy with neither side taking control.  I felt that as the half went on we were becoming too predictable in our approach with all our goal kicks going long and straight down the middle, which made it easy for Chadwell’s defence as they knew it was coming, so they all stepped back and got bodies around the ball. We were also predictable with our throw-ins, with no movement off the ball, all our throw-ins went down the line, and again all Chadwell had to do was get bodies around the ball.  Our defence looked strong and in control as it has done for most of this season, and I think we lacked creativity in midfield and upfront. I pointed this out to the boys at half time expecting them to respond.

However, the second half was much the same although we did create a few chances, our strikers took too long to get a shot off and Chadwell’s defenders soon cleaned up. The game was just as scrappy as the first half, I was disappointed that my comments at half time did not sink in, and we made it easy for them by being so predictable. After beating Chadwell the last time we met and scoring six goals, I was feeling frustrated and wasn’t prepared to accept even a draw, so I tried to influence the game by making a few tactical changes, we started to create a few more chances but unfortunately our strikers and attacking players failed to punish Chadwell with a goal. These changes also left a little more room for their strikers to work, and late in the second half their striker who had not had many chances took this chance and scored. Was their striker the difference between the two teams today – maybe? Or was it that for long periods apart from our defensive play, we were not passing and our creative players were too individual at times.

How do you gauge how far we have come as a team? Last year we lost to Chadwell 7-3, and 5-1. So why was I so upset when we lost 1-0 today?  Last season I wasn’t upset that we lost to them twice, because I knew that they had been together for a long time, and for us just to show spirit and even to score against them was satisfaction. This time however, I was very upset and it still hurts four days later, this is because I really believe that we have come a long way this season, so maybe I should have settled for a draw, so that this season would have read - played twice, won once, drawn once.  We still have a lot to work on as a team, and maybe next season I will be upset if we lose by an odd goal to the likes of Maiden or Hammers.

Today’s Man of The Match: Jamel – worked hard in defence, was unlucky not to score.