The Worthing College girls arrived in Egham knowing that a win would give them a favourable draw in the quarter final of the national cup away to South Essex College. The girls were in high spirits and looked really up for the game after a 2 week layoff due to the weather. Mike Bridges brought them back down to earth with an inspirational pre match talk, leaving his hopes of national success with the girls and expressing the regrets he has of mistakes from previous years.
The game started with Worthing having a lot of good passing possession and Strodes players’ getting nowhere near the ball, leading to a Strodes supporter to say ‘wow, this lot are decent’ after only a couple of minutes, but after breaking Strodes down twice in the first 5 minutes Worthing took their foot off the gas and let the home side settle into the game.
After 20 minutes of a well contested game, with Worthing being left exposed at the back several times and being grateful to the speed and good positioning of Fleur Charman, Worthing took the lead from a set piece. A wide free kick was won by Amy Potkins and Lucy Somes stepped up to put the ball into the far corner over the despairing keeper. 1-0.
Worthing didn’t really let this goal spur them on; they were slightly sloppy in possession and just weren’t quite executing the final ball. But yet again a set piece was the downfall of the Strodes defence, a corner that was only half cleared was smashed home by Somes from the edge of the area for her second goal of the game. 2-0.
This is how the game stood at half time and Worthing were told to sharpen up slightly as well as add some killer instinct to their game to ensure the game was put to bed. It seemed though that the Strodes players had been inspired in the half time break and were looking for a quick way back into the game. Worthing seemed rattled and rushed on the ball at the start of the second half and they were regularly stitching each other up, which once again left fleur charman to do some outstanding defensive work to keep Strodes at bay. With Worthing continuing to look sloppy and certain players looking tired, Mike rang the changes, introducing 3 players who could all consider themselves slightly unlucky to miss out on a starting place. Maddy Emmerton, Emily Hale and Chloe Lamley replaced Chloe Debaes, Lucy Somes and Jemma Kendall. Somes was gifted the opportunity to complete her hat trick moments before coming off but struck straight at the keeper. The changes allowed Danni Lane to move into the middle of the park and add a bit more energy alongside Sophie Frost and gave Worthing a new lease of life. They stepped the tempo up for the last 25 minutes which pushed them comfortably into the Last 8 of the National Cup. A flowing counter attack direct from a Strodes corner saw Emmerton and Naomi Robinson link up with Robinson sprinting a good sixty yards, to lay the ball on a plate for Amy Potkins to seal the tie. 3-0
This now settled any Worthing nerves about a Strodes revival and helped them push on to entertain the spectators. Robinson came to life in the last 20 minutes and found it necessary to take on at least 3 players every time she got on the ball. Worthing’s fourth goal came after great work down the right wing from Robinson and Sophie Frost scoring direct from a block tackle off a Strodes clearance, fine finish! 4-0.
Worthing rounded off the scoring with Maddy Emmerton hitting the post from relaltively close range and Amy Potkins being the first to react to pick up a tap in. 5-0.
Worthing could have scored in double figures but were also at times lucky not to concede. Even though Lauren Binfield did not have to make too many saves, the defence was left exposed a few times.
Player of the Match – Fleur Charman, was an absolute rock at the back with some crucial last ditch tackles and covering a lot of ground to save Worthing at times. She was also calm in possession and happy to play the ball to feet. Performance summed up with a perfectly timed challenge on the edge of the Worthing box, which left Strodes’ biggest player in a heap on the floor and left Worthing’s smallest player bouncing around with a grin on her face!
Friday 17 December 2010
Friday 10 December 2010
Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 11 Vol 2
After last week's big freeze Worthing College Football Academy started the week knowing that games were coming their way as both league games were taking place on 3g artificial surfaces at City College & Watford respectively. Both squads were again hit by injuries and unavailabilities, which led coach Dave Hall to try and work some magic to provide two elevens for game day. This was just about possible and both sides travelled with 11 strong. Not the ideal situation in terms of our development ethos, however sometimes through adversity, performances follow. Was this to be the case this week??
The 1st XI travelled along the coast to take on local and bitter league rivals City College Brighton & Hove, whilst the 2nd XI were back in league action with the long trip away to "the land of the giants" that were Watford & Hertswood. Numerous changes were wrung amongst both sides to ensure that both teams were competitive and could go out and get two results. The 1st XI needed to avoid defeat to end their 2010 part of the season unbeaten in the league, whilst the 2nd XI needed to gain experience and confidence to get their season back on track.
The 1st XI started slowly against their local rivals and at times looked like completed strangers as City College had much of the early possession, which resulted in the first goal after less that five minutes. A Joe Warner cover tackle could only find City's left winger, who skipped past Jack Boxall and was composed enough to pick out his striker, who found the roof of the net. 0-1.
Even though the start was poor Worthing need not worry as their team spirit and attitude has been one of the main reasons why they are still unbeaten at league level. This attitude started to show through even though their passing and ball retention at times was wayward. The first chance fell to Jordan Clark, who whipped a free kick against a post. Clark again could have got his name on the scoresheet, this time his header was blocked after an excellent diag from Boxall. Worthing began to dominate possession with Matt Dodd, Warner and Clark now pulling the strings in midfield. Dan Heward made an earlier appearance than expected, due to an injury and this was one of the catalysts for Worthing's recovery. Liam "Des" O'Connor, Lee Mottershead and Dec Jenkins were working tirelessly as a front three to close down City College high up the pitch and such pressure resulted in Worthing's equaliser. A long ball forward was only partly cleared by the City goalkeeper after pressure from Jenkins. The ball fell kindly to Mottershead, who looked up and chipped the ball over the stranded goalkeeper. The ball agonisingly clipped both posts before hitting the back of the net. 1-1.
This was how the score stayed until the half, however coach Dave Hall was not happy with the application of some players and this needed to change in the second half. This seemed to spur Worthing into action and they again begun to dominate possession, but not clear cut chances were carved out. The back four of Boxall, Heward, Matt Chester & Drew Mc Gill looked more solid, with Chester especially excelling himself. However City College are not 2nd in the league placing for nothing and continuously looked dangerous. The mid point of the second half was definitely theirs and Worthing had Heward & Chester to thank for goal line clearances to keep the scores level. As the game worn on both teams became stretched and it was now end of end stuff with Worthing breaking the better. Mottershead was dominating his full back with just a final delivery lacking. Jenkins had a free kick that went just over the bar and O'Connor seemed to close his eyes at the wrong moment and then saw his headed effort go wide. The final chance of the game came when Clark played in Mottershead and his left foot cross was dangerous, but just evaded the despairing Jenkins. With the final whistle 1-1 was probably a fair result, however in the grand scheme of things it looks like a point gained for Worthing and possible two lost for City College, but we shall see come April!!
The 2nd XI were not as fortunate despite all efforts going down 4-0 at Watford & Hertswood. Looking into this and trying to put a finger on the negative results it seems as if some are beaten before they enter the field of play. Players need to believe in their ability because technically they are as good if not better than their opponents, however seem to look at opposition stature and physicality, which beats them before a ball is even kicked. However playing against this type of opposition can only develop players further and we all need to look at the bigger picture in terms of player development, which is what the Academy of Sport is all about.
So one week left, with the 1st XI in National Cup action and the 2nd XI with no fixture all need to reflect on their first 11 matches as an Academy. On the whole the experience has been positive , however more of you have to believe in what YOU can do rather than the opposition!!!
Onwards & Upwards,
Hallsy
The 1st XI travelled along the coast to take on local and bitter league rivals City College Brighton & Hove, whilst the 2nd XI were back in league action with the long trip away to "the land of the giants" that were Watford & Hertswood. Numerous changes were wrung amongst both sides to ensure that both teams were competitive and could go out and get two results. The 1st XI needed to avoid defeat to end their 2010 part of the season unbeaten in the league, whilst the 2nd XI needed to gain experience and confidence to get their season back on track.
The 1st XI started slowly against their local rivals and at times looked like completed strangers as City College had much of the early possession, which resulted in the first goal after less that five minutes. A Joe Warner cover tackle could only find City's left winger, who skipped past Jack Boxall and was composed enough to pick out his striker, who found the roof of the net. 0-1.
Even though the start was poor Worthing need not worry as their team spirit and attitude has been one of the main reasons why they are still unbeaten at league level. This attitude started to show through even though their passing and ball retention at times was wayward. The first chance fell to Jordan Clark, who whipped a free kick against a post. Clark again could have got his name on the scoresheet, this time his header was blocked after an excellent diag from Boxall. Worthing began to dominate possession with Matt Dodd, Warner and Clark now pulling the strings in midfield. Dan Heward made an earlier appearance than expected, due to an injury and this was one of the catalysts for Worthing's recovery. Liam "Des" O'Connor, Lee Mottershead and Dec Jenkins were working tirelessly as a front three to close down City College high up the pitch and such pressure resulted in Worthing's equaliser. A long ball forward was only partly cleared by the City goalkeeper after pressure from Jenkins. The ball fell kindly to Mottershead, who looked up and chipped the ball over the stranded goalkeeper. The ball agonisingly clipped both posts before hitting the back of the net. 1-1.
This was how the score stayed until the half, however coach Dave Hall was not happy with the application of some players and this needed to change in the second half. This seemed to spur Worthing into action and they again begun to dominate possession, but not clear cut chances were carved out. The back four of Boxall, Heward, Matt Chester & Drew Mc Gill looked more solid, with Chester especially excelling himself. However City College are not 2nd in the league placing for nothing and continuously looked dangerous. The mid point of the second half was definitely theirs and Worthing had Heward & Chester to thank for goal line clearances to keep the scores level. As the game worn on both teams became stretched and it was now end of end stuff with Worthing breaking the better. Mottershead was dominating his full back with just a final delivery lacking. Jenkins had a free kick that went just over the bar and O'Connor seemed to close his eyes at the wrong moment and then saw his headed effort go wide. The final chance of the game came when Clark played in Mottershead and his left foot cross was dangerous, but just evaded the despairing Jenkins. With the final whistle 1-1 was probably a fair result, however in the grand scheme of things it looks like a point gained for Worthing and possible two lost for City College, but we shall see come April!!
The 2nd XI were not as fortunate despite all efforts going down 4-0 at Watford & Hertswood. Looking into this and trying to put a finger on the negative results it seems as if some are beaten before they enter the field of play. Players need to believe in their ability because technically they are as good if not better than their opponents, however seem to look at opposition stature and physicality, which beats them before a ball is even kicked. However playing against this type of opposition can only develop players further and we all need to look at the bigger picture in terms of player development, which is what the Academy of Sport is all about.
So one week left, with the 1st XI in National Cup action and the 2nd XI with no fixture all need to reflect on their first 11 matches as an Academy. On the whole the experience has been positive , however more of you have to believe in what YOU can do rather than the opposition!!!
Onwards & Upwards,
Hallsy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
