M&T Jaguars vs Warsash Wasps – 2nd Oct ’22

So the rain cleared up just in time for us and sun came out. The pitch was still a bit bobbly with puddles in parts so we had to try even harder to get the ball wide and get crossed in.

The first 15 minutes of the first half was quite evenly matched with a few chances being created by Theo down our left and James on the right.

The break through came when a good clearance from Thomas in goal sent his brother clean through. The keeper made a good save from Harry but he kept his composure and found James for a tap in.

Wasps 0.1 Jaguars

Warsash caused problems on the break with pace through the middle. They got their deserved equaliser when we didn’t deal with the dropping ball and their striker ran clear and finished with a lovely lob over Thomas who stood no chance.

Wasps 1 . 1 Jaguars

We could have dropped our heads but we didn’t and finished the half really strongly. We created chance after chance from the wing and on another day Harrison could have had 5 goals as he was getting in great positions.

Eddie and William were really strong at the back now with Glyn or Ollie protecting them well. It was wave after wave now and we took the lead when Harrison’s shot took a deflection and looped in over the keeper. Harry was there to tap in but very sportsman like, admitted the ball was already over the line. 3 extra clubman points for Harry!

Wasps 1 . 2 Jaguars

I didn’t want the half time whistle to go as we were on fire.

The second half started really well and we had Warsash penned into their own half for about 6 minutes as our pressure was forcing them back.

Harry was causing chaos on the right hand side and mally was bringing all the party tricks out but also playing the right passes at the right time.

Despite all the pressure we just couldn’t find a way through to give us some breathing space. Warsash still looked dangerous on the break and on one of these breaks Thomas made a superb save to keep us in the lead at a crucial time. He also held onto a testing free kick which dipped in front of him.

Fitness was coming into it now and thankfully our hard work in training bore fruits as we saw out the game.

Glyn legs never tired and his reward was 2 goals which looked scrappy at the time but watching on video showed a calm controlled finish.

Wasps 1 . 4 Jaguars

So yet another super all round team performance despite missing 3 good squad members.

Thomas – Volunteered to play the whole game in goal and did amazingly well. His kicking on a bad pitch was spot on and he made 3 good saves at really important times in the game.

Eddie – At his best. Winning headers and plenty of tackles. Great passing out from the back which sets us up consistently.

William – Had a big guy to mark and followed him all over the pitch. I think he followed him home after the game.

Ollie – Probably his best game of the season so far. Protected his defender well making interceptions and headers.

Glyn – Tough in the middle today. Outnumbered and on a bobbly pitch but Glyn showed his class and bossed it. 2 goals for him too.

Mally – Plenty of minutes this week and showed his fitness as he never looked tired. Some really class bits of skill mixed in with great passes.

Theo – A brilliant first half when he was getting to the byline time after time and delivering lethal crosses. Secured the defence up for the last 15.

James – mr ‘8/10 every week’. Never puts a foot wrong and is now adding goals to his game.

Harrison – His best game for a long time. He looked well up for it today making really clever runs. With the confidence came some lovely bits of skill.

Harry – Showed today that he isn’t just about goals. Some really unselfish running to create chances for his team mates. I was also impressed with how he was bending his runs better to stay inside.

Player of the Day

Tough choice for player of the day as nobody did less than an 8/10.

Harry and mally got votes.

Third place was Thomas for playing all game in goal and making crucial saves at crucial times.
Second place was Glyn who dominated a tough midfield and came up with 2 important goals.
Just pipping him by a single vote was Harrison. He Brought his confident training ability to match day and showed some touches of class and creativity. Made really intelligent runs to get on the end of chances created. Hit the target with nearly every one. Keep it going H.

H pipped the votes but I don’t think anyone would have been surprised if any player today took the award. Superb performance and let’s take this confidence into next weeks game against our mates kings copse.