Team Evil vs Fairheads – Cup Quarter Final Replay
Our performance was a joy to behold as we ran out emphatic 4-0 winners. Goals came from Rowan (hat trick) and Lukas.
The team started brightly and were well warmed up and briefed before kick off. Immediately the team bossed the midfield from beginning to end and you felt it was only a matter of time until the deadlock was broken.
The combination play was effective but this improved after some tweaking throughout the game. At center back Sancho & Luis combined well and mopped everything that was thrown at them. Michel came in and added some aerial ability to complement Sancho’s superb reading of the game. In center midfield the combination was not as clockwork as it looks on paper. The attack mindedness of Paul and Ben showed up again and they lacked the necessary balance that our foundation requires. The combination’s of Paul of Ox and Paul and Michel we’re more effective and helped us control the midfield more. In a surprise move Ben played on the right midfield and impressed in this position. His work rate, passing, attacking drive and the freedom offered from the role brought out many positive aspects of his game.
On the wings Zain and Lukas were superb. The first goal came as a direct result from switching wings during the game. We were controlling possession and putting them under heavy pressure but missing a killer ball. Zain swapped and came to the right flank where he immediately bamboozled his marker and asked different questions. In the next play an exquisite dribble, feint and pass found rowan unmarked in the box to power home the opening goal. Lukas also seemed to enjoy the freedom of being able to drift inside from the right flank and pick up play just in front of the box.
Rowan and Benni played as the striking pair and showed signs of developing a productive partnership. Benni played as the out and out striker on the shoulder of the last defender while rowan played slightly deeper looking to orchestrate the attack with penetrative through balls. Benni’s hunger for goals and shoot on sight
policy payed off as rowan smashed in a rebound to make it 2-0.
Overall the team’s performance was superb and we defended like a team, rarely giving them a sniff. It was a team effort and the back 4 were tight, while the midfield 4 shielded the backs well and the strikers provided hustle forcing errors. These elements combined ensured the team was a compact unit making it increasingly difficult for fairheads to play through us. In attack we were good too and created several scoring opportunities.
Our next game is against ARB and we can take them. The key is to defend well and not concede soft goals. In attack it is vital we make the most of our chances. If we take our chances we will have a fantastic opportunity to progress to the final.
We will also need to bring fight and determination and win the 50-50 balls.
