16/10/05

ASHTON WEDNESDAY – v- BUSH HILL

0                                              17

Having played Ashton on many occasions before, I knew today that our biggest challenge would be to stay disciplined. Before kick-off I asked the boys to be ‘business-like’ today.  The game kicked off and it wasn’t long before Danny opened the scoring after a good run, he finished low and hard!  Soon after Danny fed Tommy to make it 2-0.  Bush Hill Rangers were dominant all over the park, and soon Tommy unleashed a fierce drive from just inside the Ashton half which shot past their keeper, 3-0, the floodgates were surely open.  I kept urging the boys to keep their shape and to stay focused at the back.  Alex added two quick goals to make it 5-0.  Bush Hill were so much in control that everybody wanted to get on the score sheet, this concerned me, as the first half was coming to a close, we began to lose our shape and at times were playing with seven up-front. This created a couple of chances for Ashton, however, our defence soon mopped-up any chances. With seconds to go in the first half Rishi was rewarded for his hard work to make it 6-0.

At half time I had a hard job to get the boys back down to earth.  It’s always difficult when playing in a game like this, all boys want to score.  I suggested to the boys that we should use the second half, like a training session to work on: keeping the ball and moving it around the pitch, and to make sure we kept a clean-sheet!

As the second half kicked off, after yet another good ball from Ali, who was clearly enjoying himself in the middle of the park, as he constantly brought team mates into play, Danny made it 7-0.  Alex soon added yet another, 8-0, by this time boredom was setting in for Taylan who thought he might as well get on the score sheet, by trying to score directly! for the ball to bounce over their keeper, only to be cleared off the line! Rishi then made it 9, closely followed by Eliot,10, with Danny adding his third to make it 11-0.  Rishi soon made it 12 then Robin for 13-0.  After a disallowed goal by Eliot, Rishi made it 14-0.  After another good pass by Ali , Kielan made it 15-0. Then one of the best passing moves of the game, released Robin to make it 16-0.  Raphael wrapped up the scoring, final score 17-0 to Bush Hill!

Today’s Man Of The Match – Ali – didn’t score, but stayed disciplined and creative, most of our good work today came from his feet.  Give him space and time, he will punish you!