Rushall Olympic vs Gresley Rovers
Rushall Olympic 3 - 1 Gresley Rovers Resesrves
Scorer: Rich Hanslow
Team: Tom Allan, Danny Gee, Josh Gregory, Lewis Gadsby, Chris Mawby (c), Sean Doy, Craig Tucker, James Manley, Rich Lonsdale, Abbs Cannon, Dacks Cannon
Subs: Matt Holmes, Rich Hanslow, Tom Fletcher, Sam Ingley
The Reserves were away at Rushall, they won the league last season, but are not having such a good time this one. Dave had problems making the game due to family commitments, and despite his best efforts, was unable to
attend. So he asked if I could stand in, which I agreed at short notice, although much time was spent on the phone to sort the starting line up etc.
Dave had opted to revert back to 4-4-2,instead of the 3-5-2 they'd been playing recently. He had mentioned what the team talk needed to be about and the tactics to go with it.
So as the game got underway, on a heavy pitch, Rushall started the brighter and looked quite purposeful although we held a good line catching them off side many times. They were applying all the pressure though, but through some dogged defending, we held them at bay. They broke forward in numbers which obviously was causing our defence problems, but our midfield were tracking the runners well, so for the first twenty minutes we kept them to half chances.
On the twenty minute mark Gadsby made an excellent challenge in our area, and although we conceded a corner, it was a tackle he needed to make cleanly. However, in him making this, he took a knock, and despite his brave efforts he was unable to continue. As you'd expect Dave had picked the squad with good cover in all areas, so fortunately we replaced him with Fletcher, in a straight swap.
Rushall were still the brighter side though and on the 25-minute mark they again broke forward and a quality cross found an unmarked runner to leave Allan no chance. So we were 1-0 down and being honest Rushall deserved it as they'd created lots whereas we hadn't even tested their keeper.
With 15 minutes left we had our first real shot on goal when Tucker broke through their defence but his shot was saved by the keeper. We then made a slight change in formation, because they had five in midfield, so we went with 3 at the back and put Gee sitting just in front of them. This helped out and we were matching their midfield more now we weren't out numbered in there. So as half time blew we were 1-0 down but still very much in the game.
We said at half time that we needed to be patient and try to feed the strikers balls to feet as we hadn't really given them much service first half. We were competing well in every department but just lacked that little bit of composure in "the final third". The midfield had worked very hard defensively though and I lost count of how many times Manley had tracked back and made tackles in our area.
Second half got underway and we still looked as if we could get something from the game, Doy was bossing the midfield battles and Allan was called upon a few times making a few great saves. We looked better attacking wise
as well, however they caught us twice on the break and within 15 minutes, were 3-0 down leaving Allan exposed and helpless to stop either goal.
With 25 minutes left we replaced Abbs Cannon for Hanslow and 5 minutes later we pulled a goal back when Hanslow received a good ball to slot home. We then replaced Gee for Holmes which meant Tucker dropping in centre midfield. We were awarded a freekick 20yards out and Lonsdale put a quality ball in behind their defence which Mawby couldn't quite reach. For the remainder of the game we were the better team so credit to everyone for that because on a
heavy pitch they never gave in or tired.
Today we were beaten by a team who have strength in every position, they worked hard a broke forward in numbers. We competed with them though so it shows that we have the same quality assets as them. They created more chances however and that was the difference between the two teams but I think Dave can take many positives from the game. It shows how far the team has come, and considering how young it is, you showed great character and ability. It was pleasing to see youngsters coping well and the future is
looking good and I'm sure that soon the results will match the good performances!!
