Straight back to business

Happy new year everyone.

Well, it was a long break but the boys came back with a bang.

We certainly hadn't all been resting in the winter sun of Cuba, (some had), but we'd had a nice rest from league football.

The break had seen a lot of us go down and back up with the flu, we'd had a tournament, and won it, and some of the boys had played in a representative game against Bracknell Towns best boys and sent them packing.

We've also officially added a new coach to our team in Luke Mountain.
Luke is a young enthusiastic member of the clubs table topping Ryman youth team.
He's worked with the boys for a few weeks now and they've given him the seal of approval. Welcome to the team Luke.

So after a good fortnight off, we came back to training on Wednesday and Saturday and there's been a buzz about the boys.

We spoke on Wednesday, about how we are now going to turn up the heat. We are going to challenge ourselves to be more productive, to take the bull by the horns and make things happen on the pitch.

We've also introduced the idea that on Sunday we play as a team, and every thing we do, is for a team goal.

A goal scored isn't just because of a great shot, it's often because we made tackles, won the ball and turned things our way, or passed and moved on and off the ball as a team. Working for each other.

However in training, we train to show what we've got individually. We train in such a way that we demand a starting place.

The whole concept was accepted wholly and from the first seconds of the match it was clear to see, they were making things happen.

For 15 minutes we picked at Esher and pulled them all over the place, passing so quickly they couldn't get to grips with us at all.

It was football of the highest order and it yielded 3 goals on 5, 10, and 15 minutes, from Asa Andy and Nassim got a worldy from out side the box, which is where he seems to get all of his goals.

On 17 minutes we started making our changes, to keep up the tempo, Yusuf made way for Frankie, Asa came away for Joe and Elliot made way for James.

It's not easy to come into a game when everything is flying along and pick up the pace immediately, but that is the challenge laid down now. Every minute on the pitch is your claim to a place to start the following week.

Inevitably there was a come back from Esher, they are far too good a team to not respond, and they did, and we coped admirably, Frankie worked hard closing down their defence, Joe gathered pace growing into the game and James slotted in nicely on his unflavoured left back.

The only poor part of our first half was the silly way we conceded on half time.

We were too high as a back 3 for their goal keepers clearance which was assisted by the wind, the bounce beat us with the help of a bit of "after you sir" defending and their pace striker raced through to be wrestled to the ground in WWE fashion by Shay.

It was a really difficult moment for Shay as he'd been dropped in it by the lads, and panicked. He'd been his usual excellent self up to and beyond that moment.

The penalty was scored and we came in for half time.

We recharged and went out knowing Esher would come out strong, and they did.

It was by no means an onslaught but they came out with purpose, and were rewarded with a goal.

We continued to make changes, and the boys settled down again, deciding to take the game by the scruff of the neck again and when Yusuf got our 4th it seemed that we were in complete control again.

Asa added his second of the match by chasing in and making defenders life a misery as may great strikers do.

This left Yusuf to get the goal of the game.

A great free kick was floated in and Yusuf very cleverly and bravely flicked a header backwards over the keeper to the delight of the crowd.

A great way to finish the game.

Halliford next week, as we look to turn over another defeat from early in the season.

Man of the match.
Andy, a very good goal, assists, and very strong in the tackle. Set the tone for our game.

It has to be said, that there were candidates all over the pitch.

Shay gives our back 3 confidence to play.
Aiden started the match with a brilliant tackle, and continued to play really solidly.
Elliott, played with intelligence, and made some fantastic tackles.
Luca and Reece in midfield were top drawer in the first half particularly, controlling the tempo of the game completely.
Asa must be a player they don't want to see again for a while, really played with purpose.
Nassim is a player who causes problems for teams whilst sorting our problems out.
Yusuf's second half was just what we needed, and exactly when we needed it. Captain fantastic.
Frankie came into the game and picked up well, almost scored.
Joe, eased into the game, his pace is so valuable going back and forward.
James, did so well considering it was 7 o clock in the morning in Cuba where he'd just come from. Settled down on the right nicely.