Leamington Hibs Juniors U1 vs St Nicolas U15 Sporting
0 - 2
16 May 2018 · Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League<br>U16 - Div B
Home league match played on 16 May 2018.
Kicked off at 6:30 PM
0-2
vs St Nicolas U15 Sporting
Home league match
With just three games of the season left we headed the top of the table going into this game against bottom of the table St Nics. A win would give us some breathing space and move us ever closer to being champions.
Mick had to referee the first half, and mirroring what had happened in the previous game where he had been forced to referee (Rugby back in April), we lacked tempo and application in the first half. We did however create a lot of early chances all of which were squandered, we would come to rue these misses as the game progressed. In contrast to this St Nics converted the two clear chances they created, putting us 2:0 down after 25 minutes. The lads were clearly rattled by this and our passing game deserted us, aerial balls mostly being the order of the day, all of which were gobbled up by St Nics’ big central defenders. The first half ended with us trailing 0:2.
We started the second half with more intensity and St Nics tactics were clearly to pack the defence and try to hold onto the lead they had. Hibs (and their supporters and coaches), drew a more and more frustrated demeanour as we failed to produce any quality on the ball to break St Nics down. We did manage to create some chances, but as in the first half we failed to convert. The closest we game was a goal ruled offside and a header against the crossbar, but in the end St Nics ran out 0:2 winners.
This game was unfortunate proof that our performance can still change hugely from one game to the next. My view is that we were guilty of complacency in the first half (as often seems to happen against the lower table teams) but frustration amongst the lads definitely got the better of them in the second half and everyone’s game suffered. Key to this frustration was the countless missed opportunities in front of goal. Whilst these are not taken the opposition remain in the game and they continue to fight for everything.
This was a bit of a reality check for our aspirations to win the league and compete in the “A” division next season. We need more players, more quality and more resolve if we want to do this.