JUNIOR HAMMERS 1 Vs BUSH HILL RANGERS 2

13/02/05

Today was another difficult fixture as we were up against last year’s champions. Before kick off I explained to the boys that I was disappointed in our performance against this team the last time we played, as I felt that we showed them far too much respect. This time I wanted the right attitude and passion.

The weather wasn’t ideal for playing good football, and we knew it was going to be a difficult game with a strong wind and heavy pitch. I decided to kick off with the wind behind us and told the boys to shoot at every opportunity, as I knew the wind would cause their keeper problems.  The game started with both teams playing well and competing for the ball. Despite the difficult conditions both teams tried to pass the ball, however, both defences were on top of the game.

Midway through the first half we began to create more of the chances and the Hammers’ defence got deeper and deeper into their own area, and the pressure was beginning to tell. After some good wing play, the ball fell to our strikers in their box, but their keeper managed to clear the ball to the half way line.  Then ‘déjà vu’ struck, our left back stepped forward just over the half way line and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that flew past the Hammers’ keeper who was rooted to the spot!  1-0 to Bush Hill, James’s first goal for the Club!  Next time they might mark our left back on the half way line!   The boys celebrated along with the parents, but then Tommy and Jamel calmed everybody down and reminded everybody that there was a long way to go yet. A few minutes later we were in on goal again and we thought we had scored a second when Rishi put the ball in the net after some good work again by the midfield.  But our celebrations were cut short as the referee disallowed for off-side!  So the first-half finished 1-0 to the Bush Hill.

At half time I explained to the boys how important it was not to concede just before the break as we have done on a few occasions this season, and I asked for more of the same in the second half.

Both teams came out fighting in the second half, and it was clear to see that the Hammers’ pride from players and parents had been dented! And they were not ready to lie down. The tackles were flying in from both sides and the ball was fizzing around.  Both managers were vocal and animated as the pressure was mounting. Once again we had the ball in the back of their net and once again it was ruled out for a foul!  This spurred Hammers on, and at one stage the ball seemed to be bouncing around in our penalty area and I was praying for somebody to clear it.  Unfortunately, the ball fell to their striker and with a massive deflection ended up in the back of our net. 1-1! Their parents were jumping up and down, as they knew this was a massive goal.

Another big decision today for me was not to start with Kielan on the left, one of the most naturally gifted players we have.  But with 15 minutes to go, I relented to my own pressure and put him on.  He was like a coiled spring on the touch line.  He had an immediate effect and relieved some pressure from our defence with his forward running.  After a few minutes the ball fell to him in the Hammers’ penalty area, and another fierce shot flew past the Hammers’ keeper. Wansted Flats ERRUPTED! For the first time in five meetings, we were ahead in a game against the Hammers! 

With 10 minutes to go they responded by introducing another attacking player.  So we took off one of our strikers and introduced another defensive player, leaving Alex upfront on his own, with instructions to hold up the ball as long as he could.  For the last 5 minutes we were camped on the edge of our 18-yard box! With the ‘No Battle – No Glory’ spirit, our boys kept them out! The atmosphere was Electric!  The pressure was Massive! But we held on for our first VICTORY over the Hammers!

Today’s Man Of The Match – Jamel – who Battled, Organised And Created!

‘No Battle – No Glory’ = 2-1 Bush Hill Rangers WIN!

Today we Battled and got our Glory!

Well Done All The Boys!