Madina vs Gresley Rovers
Madina 0 - 11 Gresley Rovers
Scorers: Hanslow (4) Morton (3) Lyons, Hollis, Smith, Gregory (pen)
Squad: Stu Haywood, Jack Moylan, Anthony Morris, Dave Hatfield, Andy Lyons, Tom Gregory, Mark Shorthouse, Luke Taylor, Paul Morton, Paul Hollis, Rich Hanslow, Chris Smith
It was our first friendly this season, and Madina hosted us at Shobnall. We were without quite a few players (due to holidays) and had several players either injured or not turning up, which is a little disappointing, but as always, we managed to get enough players to field a team.
It still annoys me though because I could have asked others if I'd have known, so basically they denied others a chance of a game. I must thank Anthony Morris and Chris Smith because both were at home at 1-30, but came to our help and managed to make it for the 2 pm kick off which is remarkable.
We included a few "new faces" in the squad and over the summer and I was delighted to bring Dave Hatfield on board. I felt that last season our lack of experience cost us results, so Dave with his organisation and solid defending can only help our youngsters.
We haven't trained much over the summer, because I felt what the lads needed a rest, and I needed to catch up on some DIY. So it was good to arrange a game, and the lads were raring to go.
We started off much the brighter team, and from the off, we controlled things. With Hatfield in defence, we looked a lot more composed and never got pulled out of shape (like last season) and actually had the confidence to "build from the back". With Morris at left back, Moylan at right back and Gregory joining Hatfield in the middle our defence looked like a strong unit.
In mid field we had another new signing, in Andy Lyons, on the left with Paul Morton on the right and Luke Taylor and Mark Shorthouse in the middle. We all know about Morton's tireless workrate (and undoubted ability) and a great mix of Shorthouse's tackling and battling qualities.
Taylor started as he left last season (with great awareness and the ability to pass an inch perfect ball). Lyons was in an unfamiliar role (but I knew he'd adapt to it and he certainly did).
This left us a quality attack force of Hanslow and Hollis (who have both proved time and time again that they can score goals in higher standard football).
We opened our account within 10 minutes with a typical Hanslow goal and by halftime we were four up.
Second half we needed to not "rest on our laurels" and we certainly didn't adding another seven goals to our tally.
In Madina's defence, after playing them before, they had several "key players" missing but so did we. The old saying goes " you can only beat what's put in front of you" and that's what we did.
It was pleasing to see that we looked solid in every department, our defence never really looked troubled (with Hatfield talking and organising things) and giving us the confidence sometime lacking last season.
In midfield, Shorthouse was back to his very best the same could be said for Taylor. Morton on numerous occasions was tracking back into our penalty area (as he so often does) with Lyons doing similar on the left.
Up front well we know what Hollis and Hanslow can do, and they tore Madina's defence apart.
It was great to see Gregory get on the score sheet after many attempts and both Moylan and Morris looked composed and at ease with things.
We did loose our shape a little though, and we need to work on that, but on the whole a good performance however, we cannot and will not get complacent because tougher tests will come. With these, we can then see " how far we have come" and more so what's needed to improve to match others. Let's not be fooled, we need to keep working, trying and listening and hopefully this season will see a much improved Gresley Youth Team, something that we want, need and possibly deserve.
