Leamington Hibs Juniors vs Lawford United U15 Blue
4 - 4
28 January 2018 · Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League<br>U16 - Div B
Home league match played on 28 January 2018.
Kicked off at 11:00 AM
4-4
vs Lawford United U15 Blue
Home league match
After a 2 month lay-off due to various match cancellations either side of Christmas we eventually got to play again. The extended break was always a concern for the coaches in terms of the teams fitness and cohesion, so we entered this game with slight trepidation.
In the opening half it looked like the lads had picked up where they left off 2 months ago, dominating the mid-field area and consequently generating lots of opportunities. Tariq converted 2 of these in the opening 20 minutes, showing increasing composure in front of goal, the 2nd added after good work from Tylan. A third was added by a decent long range strike from a well advanced Jacob that the keeper failed to cover. Shortly before half time Lawford got one back with a good move but overall we were easily in command.
From the outset of the second half we started to look “leggy” especially in midfield and subsequently we no longer could control the game. Despite this Tariq added a fourth with another very composed finish. Lawford grabbed another one with less than 10 minutes left to play and were clearly lifted by their increasing possession. Our lack of substitutes and two of our key midfielders now carrying injuries (Ollie and Ryan) now started to spell trouble for us. With 2 minutes of normal time to go Lawford claimed a third when a goal bound clearance from Jacob rebounded off Beau straight into the empty net. It was clear that as a team we started to loose composure and confidence and on the final minute of normal time Lawford scored an equaliser.
The game ran out a 4:4 draw with the lads clearly very dejected to have only managed a draw from such a commanding position. Playing with only 11 men, two of whom were carrying injuries and a lack of fitness clearly took its toll. We must try as a team to be mentally stronger however when things start to not go our way and not capitulate so easily.
I must mention a very good game from Seb who gets better every week.
We play Binley away next week, let’s hope the reality check this Sunday serves to enforce where we need to improve as a team and we learn and progress from it.