Great Response From Last Week

A wet, Armistice Day morning at Hartletts Park saw Hook welcome top-of-the-table Tadley, who arrived having played 4 league games and won 4...

After the last 2-3 weeks, the manager chatted with the players before the warm-up started, encouraging them to remain focused and concentrate on the match from the very start to the final whistle.

The players also needed to get back to basics - fast clearances, move the ball out wide, secure the ball rather than swinging a leg, midfield support to the front-man and recover to assist the defence - all of which was talked about, and the reversion back to a 3-4-1 formation for the foreseeable.

What a great match that ensued... although Tadley did exert some early pressure, it wasn't without Hook taking the early lead, and building as the first half went on. Soon 2-0, the quick reply goal from Tadley was nothing more than a hit-and-hope that dropped nicely for them, in to the top corner - nothing the 'keeper could have done about it.

The second half was always about the focus and concentration that has lacked so obviously in recent weeks. Although the manager barked a couple of reminders, in general, there was some much better communication amongst the boys and they seemed to keep concentrating. Soon enough, a 3rd was scored coming from a great move starting at the back with 3 quick passes before the ball eventually found the back of the net.

Tadley, like the teams in the last 3 matches, switched to more direct play and launching the ball over the top. This is still something the players need to work on - only some superb defending kept Tadley at bay - and learn for themselves when the opposition are changing their tactics.

Overall, this was a huge performance and huge result, and every single player dug in to contribute - so much so, it was very difficult to call MoM. Special mentions to L B and E S who were magnificent in defence, and C N who was so focused in goal that he was always ready to deal with the danger whether for shots or collecting through balls. And it was for this reason that C N got MoM!

I really hope this week has given the players the belief that they can take on the best in the division and go on to perform like this every week - if they do, there is no reason not to end up near the top of the table by the end of the season...