4 Nov 07: Lindfield 4:2 Grasshoppers November 5, 2007
Posted by editor in : Uncategorized , trackbackAfter the spirited performance put in last week in the Cup against a side from a higher league, this game was a let down. I can’t put it down to any one individual or event, but it seemed that most of the players were just not quite up to their normal personal standards, and that marginal shortfall was the difference between winning comfortably and losing. The early kick off obviously did not assist some of our players in getting over their activities the night before, but if we are going to put up any sort of decent showing in our last season together, we need a change in attitude to the way that some of us prepare. As a team, we were off the pace throughout this match, with a few notable exceptions.
We started the game brightly enough. Lindfield tried to play short balls around their defence and we were able to put them under pressure from the start. Nip and Jake worked hard early on, defending from the front and forcing their defenders into errors. After his recent injury, J-P was well and truly back, imposing himself on the game early, though Craig playing beside him seemed off colour and not up to his normal excellent standard. It was no surprise when we took the lead with a well constructed move, which resulted in J-P storming through and beating the keeper with a cool finish.
We then let Lindfield into the game, as the general malaise seemed to creep through the team. Their defenders started to get more time on the ball to feed the wide men, where we didn’t close down fast enough. They played long balls over the top, which we didn’t defend well enough. People stopped talking to each other and we started to be pushed backwards. Instead of meeting the ball coming forward, we started to get turned and were making last ditch tackles to give away corners. The first corner we defended well, with everyone doing what we have trained for. The second corner saw the ball being delivered even before our defenders had covered the posts and then when it was cleared half heartedly, we seemed to leave it to each other to close down their midfielder, who seemed genuinely surprised that he had so much time to pick his spot.
We lost a second goal soon afterwards, when another speculative long ball went over the top and we didn’t compete well enough, as their striker went through and scored too easily. That is not a criticism of Matt, who happened to be the defender who chased the striker on that occasion, but where was the rest of the defence? I normally take great pleasure in complimenting the defence, who work very well as a unit and punch well above their weight, and this year Ryan has added an extra touch of quality, enabling us to go from 3 to 4 at the back. But this week, for whatever reason, we were second best.
2-1 down at half time was not a disaster, but as the second half started, there didn’t seem to be any more urgency than there had been previously. Harry and Sam T were quiet on the flanks, which meant that we didn’t stretch the opposition the way we do when we are playing well. Nip and Jake were struggling to beat Lindfield’s offside trap, which was being expertly marshaled- by their linesman. We have been on the wrong end of some awful line decisions over the years, but this was a new experience. Every decision was spot on, but it was the linesman who was leading their line, calling, stepping out and flagging all in the same movement. A masterful performance, but I fear he looked a little old to be playing U16 football.
Lindfield scored twice more, with goals almost identical to their second- long balls which we failed to a) prevent and b) defend. Josh was playing a week after being concussed, in what we can now call a brave rather than foolhardy gesture.
Tom added some urgency when he came on in the second half, playing alongside J-P in midfield, with Craig pushing on. Callum also tried to take matters into his own hands by marauding forwards late on to some effect, indeed he was responsible for our only memorable run down the right wing! Our second goal came a few minutes before the end, when J-P floated an accurate free kick onto Craig’s head at the far post. It was some consolation, but not much.
Man of the Match by some way was J-P. CRAP award this week goes to all who turned up at less than 100%, through alcoholic consumption, lack of sleep, or both. You know who you are!
When this season ends, we will look back on games like this and St Hill Blues with disappointment. Lindfield were not better than us, they just took it a bit more seriously than we did.
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