Old Whitgiftian AFC

Clapham Old Xaverians II 4 - 2 Old Whitgiftian AFC

(Saturday, 22 September 2007)

MATCH REPORT
by Kieron Fisher

7 mins: Clapham produce quick wave of attack and Whits are out numbered at the back. GOAL Whits fail to take the opportunity to clear and Clapham centre forward buries in the bottom right corner from 10 yards.
15 - 20 mins: Sustained pressure by Whits interrupted by sporadic break aways by Clapham. GOAL Ball finally drops to Cobbett who volleys home past the stand-in keeper.
30 mins: Whits try to play off-side in the middle of defence but left back plays all on-side. GOAL Clapham centre forward picks up the ball with 40 yards to run into, coolly placing past the keeper.
38 mins: Whits win a free-kick 22 yards out. GOAL Dennis bends the ball around the wall and lets it bounce in front of the keeper gaining an ugly bounce that leap frogs into the net.
40 mins: Aitken is played in one-on-one through the middle, having come off the left wing, but first touch is poor slowing progress and a snatched shot is required as defender closes quickly. Keeper saves easily.
42 mins: Cobbett places another shot from inside the box too close to the keeper.

Half time: 2 - 2

55 mins: Clapham attack with pace again and Quartey saves a challenged one-on-one with feet.
65 mins: Clapham centre forwards show strength running at the Whits centre backs. Shot goes agonisingly wide.
70 mins: Cobbett lashes snap shot just inside the near post but keeper makes a good but regimental save.
78 mins: Whits on the attack, ball is sprayed to Hawkins who dallies and eventually lays off to McDermott. Two Clapham forwards descend immediately and McDermott loses ball on half way line. GOAL Rest of the defence is out of position and Clapham centre forward charges 50 yards to complete his hat-trick.
83 mins: Another Clapham attack as Whits are stretched chasing the game. Centre forward adjudged to have fouled the defender and Quartey takes quick free kick on 6 yard box. GOAL Ball goes straight to a Clapham player on the edge of the box who squares for midfielder to blast into the top right corner.

Full time: 4 - 2

Lessons to learn
Clapham won because they reacted quicker and with more desire to the loose ball. An easy way to address this is to want the ball all the time. Most of us only want the ball when we are confident or arrogant - so let's get that mentality of "I'm better than you!".
Forwards need to help out more defensively. Clapham had a lot of time with the ball in front of their defence or at the back of their midfield. We were mostly working one at a time with either Cobbett or Lakhani closing down. We need both forwards to work together in defence.
Wide players need to be prepared to come in to win the ball. When we are in possession width is vital (especially with KC up front) but when defending we need a compact unit which blocks off the route to goal and forces play down the wings. When you come to get the ball you are 100% strong and single-minded.
Defence must communicate with each other and always know where each other are. On far too many occasions we had full backs not involved in the game and not thinking about positioning. Full backs should never be behind the centre back when the opposition have the ball in front of our back four.

Star man: Andy Blades on his return to Clapham. Strong, determined and combative - essential qualities for Div 1 South.

Man of the Match Result

Pos	Player	Ref	1st	2nd	Total
1st	Blades	1	4	-	11
2nd	McNamara	-	1	-	2
2nd=	Cobbett	-	-	2	2
4th=	Dennis	-	-	1	1
4th=	McDermott	-	-	1	1

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