Under 13s Jaguars vs Foringbridge – 17th Sept 2023

Our first home game and a chance to christen our new goals. Thanks to all those who helped assemble them ready for the big kick off.

Another proper game of football where chances for both teams were few and far as both midfields and defences looked very solid.

Thomas and Glyn were doing really well in the middle with Lloyd and Mally performing their wing roles perfectly. Supporting their full backs when out of possession and making good attacking runs when we had it.

The back 4 looked really solid and Rowan cleaned everything up behind expertly.

It was a tough game for Harrison and Harry with the Fordingbridge defence playing really well. It didn’t stop them working hard and putting pressure on ready to pounce.

A stalemate first half – Jaguars 0-0 Fordingbridge

We started the second half really well for the second week running. A lot more attacks and AJ looked very threatening.

James was creating plenty of chances now and also had a few good shots on goal.

William, Olly and Theo were having to deal with some skillful pacey wingers but did a really good job.

We were on top but hadn’t managed to nick that goal.

AJ looked the most likely and he eventually got the goal he deserved when his pace took him clear and he clipped it past the goal keeper.

There wasn’t too long of the game left but we had to maintain focus and concentration.

Aidan dropped to centre back with Martin and both were meeting balls dominating the line.

With only a few minutes to go, we lost our focus and forgot what the score was.

We had an attack down the right but half our team legged it forward to try score a second goal. We lost possession and Fordingbridge had an easy path to our back line as all our players had been caught out.

The one through ball that managed to get through and it squirmed out of Rowans grasp in slippy conditions. Credit to the striker who was on hand to tuck the ball away to equalise.

This was our own doing as we lost all sense of game management.

How would we react to this?

Unfortunately it sent a sense of panic into the team and soon after, another long ball found it’s way through. Another great finish from the Fordingbridge forward and in a flash we were 2.1 down.

We had a few chances to equalise in the few minutes we had left but it just wasn’t to be our day.

Full time – Jaguars 1-2 Fordingbridge

So our long unbeaten run ends but we can hold our heads high. We weren’t out played by any means and on another day we could have been 3.0 up. Every single player wearing the famous black and amber played an 8 or 9 out of 10 game.

But this is the level of football we are at now. Concentration and focus for the whole game and any mistakes are punished. We will learn from this as a team and move on like all great teams do to show that we are a top side. We win as a team and lose as a team.

Votes for player of the day

Glyn.

One of the managers picks. Was a superb engine for us in the middle but applied his manager’s instructions really well today. His pass completion rate was so much higher today with releasing that one step earlier.

Mally.

Another managers pick. He also took his manager’s instructions and did exactly what was asked. Great performance.

William.

Still learning a new position he performed really well against a strong winger. Offered himself on overlaps and quickly got back to his defensive station.

Martin.

Another exceptional performance at the back and is setting our new assertive defensive football tactic standard!

Thomas.

A great first half where he ran the show from the middle. Came really close to putting in perfect through balls.

Player of the day went to Theo.

A masterclass in full back play. Worked up and down the pitch and won 20 out of 20 duals with the winger. Covered for his centre backs at the right times and his distribution was spot on.

Well done all, top performance and ignore the result.

Well done to Fordingbridge who were solid and took their chances well.