Match Report - UPPERMILL FC U14 - 05 Mar 2023

Thunder 1-3 Uppermill

A really lacklustre and uncharacteristic performance from the lads this morning.

We knew going into this one that it was going to be a physical challenge and we knew that we had a job to do to stop the long ball tactics and, so it proved. In the first half we left too much space in the midfield and were second to the ball far too often, it invited trouble and allowed their busy forwards to break our lines and shoot from good ranges unchallenged. Harrison in goal was kept busy as was the person who had to go and keep getting the ball from the field behind ?? Our luck ran out on 16 minutes, scrappy play in the centre allowed the ball to make it way forward where it was picked up by their forward who had time enough to set himself and hit a 20 yard rifle into the net 0-1. After that we made changes and started to play the ball faster and bring in our wings. Ben on the left saw some joy but we weren’t able to convert HT 0-1. We spoke at half time about the situation in the middle and we asked the lads to move the ball quicker/2 touch and focus on the gaps they were leaving. Unfortunately we didn’t apply it to the level needed to get back in. The Uppermill defence were quick to press our attacks, regain possession and on 42 mins we were undone once again 0-2. Their 3rd came in 53 mins and our heavy legs and by this point and injury hit bench (Jacob, Ben and Max) we’re feeling it. In the last 10 minutes to lads did link play and created some well worked moves from back to front which saw us pull one back through Hashim, after a good ball through from the energetic Dayne, 1-3 FT MOTM - Harrison ??was kept busy all game and made some fantastic saves to keep the score line resepectable ???? Debuts today for Hayden, Harrison B and Finn so well done to those lads too. We go again on Wed at training. We have 2 big Sundays coming up with back to back games against Manchester Corinthians starting at Kearsley next Sunday. These are great games that will challenge he the lads strengths ?? Unlucky Thunder ??????