Making It Hard For Ourselves...

The Autumn had certainly arrived... a chilly, damp start to the morning as Rushmoor Vulcans arrived at Hartletts for the first match of 2 in consecutive weeks - this one having 3 points to play for.

Off the back of a rather disappointing performance in the second half from the previous week, the manager asked for a quick, lively start, crucial for the positional play to be good, and for the pass and move to break the opposition down early. The formation reverted to 3 at the back to aid cover, but leaving a lighter midfield was always the risk.

Hook started incredibly slowly - a goal down inside the first minute - they rarely pressed Rushmoor in the first 15 minutes or so, partnerships were being pulled too far apart, the passing was slow, and the apparent nervousness in possession and in front of goal that was witnessed last week, was there to see again. There was a very slow improvement in the final 15 of the first half, and eventually, an equaliser on the stroke of half-time left Hook with real positives to take in to the second half.

Buoyed by, and encouraged by, the improvement and resulting goal, the manager told the players to keep on with the same lively way of playing; holding the midfield was still the crucial element, and winning the ball with a quick move on was always hurting the opposition. This did indeed carry on, and the results were deserved as 2 more goals came early in the second half to give Hook a nice cushion to build on. Instead, the panicky. ruched approach tended to creep back in - a number of players stepping in to their team-mates' space and allowing the opposition to benefit, and score, from the effects of Hook crowding each other out, and make the last 20 minutes very tense as they chased the equaliser.

To their credit, Hook's attacking play was still looking dangerous, and a couple of saves, and last-ditch defending by Rushmoor, ensured Hook did not extend their lead, but when Rushmoor were in possession, the panic was evident. Eventually, the inevitable happened and the game finished all square. Not a desperate result, but certainly points dropped.

The MoM went to E S who listened well to the manager, won the ball well, moved it on, and pressed higher up the pitch when able, ensuring the defending started deep in Rushmoor's own half.

Much still to work on in training on Wednesday, before Hook host the next round of the League Bowl against Vulcans again, and the following week meet top-of-the-table Tadley...