Match Report – Game 3 – Saturday 2nd October

vs. Active Soccer: 1-6

Team: Ciarán; Stephen (capt.), Josh; Adam, Jacob, Joe; Seamus. Subs: Elliot, Matty

Passive defending against a much-changed Active Soccer saw the boys suffer a heavy defeat.

After a bright start, poor defending from a throw-in after only two minutes, with a flick-on to an unmarked forward, set the tone for the match.

The boys almost hit back immediately though, as a long ball from Josh left Joe in lots of space but his shot went just over the top. Jacob then set Seamus through but the shot was blocked; a minute later the same two linked again, only for Seamus to shoot wide under pressure.

Five minutes in and a well-weighted free kick from Joe was headed wide. The boys had Active Soccer pinned in their own half with Jacob finding space in the middle and Adam causing problems on the left – a solo run from defence by Adam saw their keeper make a good block to prevent the equaliser.

As well as they may have been playing going forward, the boys left themselves open to the break and paid a heavy penalty. Active Soccer broke out, found little resistance in midfield or defence and scored. By the fifteenth minute they were three down from another poorly defended throw-in.

Matty replaced Adam and soon after Jacob nearly got one back as a long distance shot hit the post. Matty found space on the left but a delayed shot was blocked by the defender.

Active Soccer were soon back on the attack and, from a free kick on the edge of the box, Ciarán made a sharp save but a fourth goal, again on the break, soon followed.

Elliot came in at right back for the second half, allowing Stephen to push on. Finally the link-up between Jacob and Seamus worked: a dribble, a pass and a fifth goal of the season for the nippy forward.

With Stephen working hard on the right and Jacob always looking for space, the boys played better in this half. Adam, back on for Matty, saw a header go narrowly wide but a fifth goal came 10 minutes in as goalkeeper and defence faltered to allow Active Soccer to score.

To their credit, the boys kept looking for goals. Stephen saw a shot from wide out skim along the bar and Adam had a shot pawed away. Joe came on to replace Seamus up front and the Active Soccer keeper pushed out a Josh free kick. The final substitution then saw Matty replace Jacob for the last three six minutes.

Active Soccer then got a sixth goal as, after an accurate cross-field ball, the forward sent a precise lob from a narrow angle into the net with Ciarán stranded in No Man’s Land.

Searching for a late consolation, an on-target shot from Joe hit the defender on the head, only for the deflection to go over the bar.

The boys must learn that defending is a responsibility for the whole team and to hold their position on the pitch – at times they were all guilty, from keeper to forward, of being in the wrong place and allowing the opposition space and time. It was a hard lesson against a good team but they must improve quickly if they are not to suffer similar disappointment again.

Man of the Match: Jacob was awarded the medal this week, for good play on the attack from midfield, looking for the pass to the man in space. Well done!