Sunday 12th October, 2008
West Hallam Rams 1 v 3 Sherwood FC
There are teams that don’t try to build character preferring to eliminate the weak ones instead. We (and West Hallam I reckon) are different. Like most other teams we have a range of players, some better than others but the thing is when we play like we did today – as a team – it doesn’t matter at all. In some other weeks we’ve seen heads go down and arguments start, but today instead of the big blame thing we knuckled down, supported each other . . . and won.
West Hallam are a good team and we did well to beat them. More importantly the match was played in the right atmosphere with supportive management and parents and a referee who controlled the game without being intrusive. It was also noticeable that every boy got a game - just how it should be.
The first half was very tight and it was hard for either side to carve out any chances. Both goalkeepers proved to be on their toes whenever openings did occur.
No goals at half-time, tight, tense and balanced on the proverbial knife edge so we stuck with the same team and five minutes in this paid dividends. Tom opened the scoring; nice one Tom this is becoming a habit and it’s good to see.
Win, lose or draw everyone gets to play so we gradually changed things as the game ebbed and flowed. Ten minutes in and we went two up courtesy of a Buckly trade mark goal. After fifteen minutes the ball was turned in for a third and the game was won (well as won as it ever can be with our recent propensity to collapse). Harry and George at the back looked as solid as ever, all our other outfield players were still doing their jobs, and Ivan was proving just as safe a pair of hands as Sim in goal. It took a needlessly conceded free kick on the edge of our box for West Hallam to pull one back. It was a very well taken kick, powerful and accurate, Ivan did really well to get his hands on it but it was too good a strike – unstoppable I’d say.
It came two minutes from time and the game was already won. For those who felt the need to question why that one went in I’d ask that we remember that football is a team game. This name calling that some boys indulge in from time to time won't be tolerated and boys will find themselves surplus to requirements . . . irrespective of ability . . . if it persists.
In this division anyone can beat anyone else (with the possible exception of FC Interski as we’ll no doubt find out on Sunday), the difference between finishing high up or low down will rest on our ability to play as a team and support one another. Apart from the last two minutes that’s what we did today, and that’s why we won.
Too difficult to pick a Man of the Match within a real team performance like this . . . so this week I haven't singled an individual out. Well done the team!
