Hook Youth vs North Warnborough Hurrican
5 - 0
07 October 2017 · Under 12 League Bowl
Home cup match played on 07 October 2017.
Kicked off at 9:30 AM
5-0
vs North Warnborough Hurricanes
Home cup match
Facing a local team, North Warnborough Hurricanes, for the first round of the Bowl, the manager reminded the players to think about their own game, playing the way they have trained, and getting on with the match. With all 12 of the squad available this week, there were plenty of options for the manager.
Hook started well, pressed the opposition high up the pitch, and got the ball down well to move it around. They deserved there chances as they created them well, and for the most part, took them well too... although there were signs of hesitation in front of goal again from some of the players!
At half time, the manager encouraged Hook to keep playing the way they had, but to try to relax, slow the game down a bit, and bit more patient, - some of the players look more tired at half time than they did at the end of the last match, when there were no subs...
A few of the boys had mentioned they would like to play in subtly different positions from time to time, so the manager used the second half to explore these opportunities - the boys need to understand and accept that they cannot all play in their favourite positions all the time, and will sometimes have to play in positions to benefit the team.
Despite the changes, there was still some good play, nice link-ups, plenty of passing and moving, and some good desire to win the ball. Just on occasion, the players rushed to 'hoof' the ball when they had time to get it down and look up for better options. Stronger teams won't always give Hook the time to do this so the boys must learn to make time for themselves.
Overall, the performance was, again, very good, and the communication far better than usual (although still one or players ever so quiet...).
MoM today went to T R, not just for his usual solid, reliable performance, with simple football, composure on the ball, and super covering, but the fact he has played to a consistently good standard every match this season... well deserved MoM playing a role that is often over looked in its simplicity yet effectiveness.