Salisbury vs. M&T Jaguars – 26th February ’23

A top of the table clash with Salisbury to keep the Jaguar army entertained today.

A beautiful sunny day to help 2 good footballing sides play to their best.

There were definitely pre-match nerves causing some silly giggling, legs shaking and 100 trips to the loo. But enough about me, the boys were totally focused and clearly had a positive mind set.

The coaches said that the boys must each win their individual battles to give us any chance of a result. This they most certainly did.

The other ask was that win, lose or draw, we acted with class and made everyone proud. Once again, the entire squad delivered on this.

After intently listening to the coaches, Aidan and Glyn led their own little huddle to add even more determination.

The half started well and we immediately started passing the ball around confidently. This start proved critical as we grew more and more into the game.

We were winning nearly every first and second ball and every player was winning their individual physical battle. Both teams were giving everything and pretty much cancelling each other out.

After 15 minutes we made our 4 changes and I was worried that this would upset our rhythm and drive. It did not! The 4 players coming on took over exactly where the others left and the performance didn’t drop one little bit.

Salisbury had a few half chances at goal but Rowan was on form stopping everything.

Our front players didn’t have many chances to go at and on a small pitch our pace in behind was somewhat nullified. None the less, Harry, Mally and Harrison absolutely ran their socks off for the team.

Half time – Salisbury 0-0 Jaguars

We had the wind behind us the second half and we needed to make sure we used it and pin Salisbury back as much as we could with a higher press. This worked really well and we pretty much bossed the second half.

Salisbury were outstanding in defence though and we found it really hard to create any clear chances. Lloyd was exceptionally well marked and got little joy with his dribbling skills.

Any chances to shoot were quickly closed down.

A rebound off the keeper nearly gave Harry a chance to follow in but some heroic bravery from the Salisbury keeper kept him out.

Our best chance fell to Lloyd from a corner. With the keeper out of play it looked like a certain goal but once again a Salisbury defender performed miracles to clear on the line.

Despite this pressure Salisbury had a constant threat on the counter attack and they created as many chances as us. They found that Thomas, Eddie and William were in top form though.

Full time – Salisbury 0-0 Jaguars

An outstanding performance from the boys today. Discipline, hard work and belief saw them through and they were perhaps unlucky not to nick a win. Keeping a clean sheet against a team that have scored an average of 6 goals a game this season!!

This was achieved because every single squad member played to the top end of their ability and effort. Combine that with playing for the team in a disciplined system where all could fall apart if 1 single player doesn’t perform, this was the best squad performance I have seen. This is why I couldn’t award an individual player of the day, this had to be acknowledged as a total squad result.

Rowan

Some good saves and bravery to follow in any spills. Good kicking from hand which got us nicely up the pitch. Top notch communications.

Theo

After a week of illness he gave an awesome performance. That pace snuffed out many dangers in the first half from centre back. I had a feeling that Theo was going to get us a winner so he had 5 minutes up front. It nearly worked when he won the ball back himself and smashed in a cross shot.

Eddie

Immense at the back today. Won headers and tackles galore. His timing and reading of the game was perfect. Right at the end Salisbury had a corner. Eddie won the header, steamed after it and put a full committed tackle in to end the attack. This summed up his and the teams performance.

William

Came into the game carrying a little injury but didn’t show it at all. Won many many tackles but most pleasing of all was I saw him numerous times looking at the ball and then around to see where the opposing players were. This is exactly what we were talking about in yesterday’s training.

Thomas

Maybe Thomas’ best game on pitch. He looks better and better every game and is fast becoming an essential part of our play. Headers, interceptions, good passing and 2 goal saving tackles in the second half.

Aidan

Led by example. Set the tone at the start both verbally and with his play. Constant pressure on his opponent and showed some silky touches. Understood his role today for the team and was fully behind the decision to keep Lloyd on to look for the goal we needed and he was ready to come on to shore it all up had we taken the lead. This kind of attitude can be as critical to the team as being on the pitch and creating chances.

James

Won every physical contest he went into and took 2 battering a for it. Plenty of silky skills which on another day could have seen him clean through on goal. Hope your bruises aren’t too bad.

Lloyd

Wasn’t quite his day with the dribbling but he more than made up for that with his work rate and challenges won. He linked up really well with Mally and tried his best the whole game to create for his mates. This was as good a performance from him as the other week but for totally different reasons. What a player he is becoming.

Riley

Played a vital role for the team when he came on. Added defensive discipline to help out the 2 at the back who were 2v2 at times. Some good headers won and plenty of communication.

Glyn

Described as ”invincible” today. He absolutely bossed midfield and drove his team forward. He read the game like a veteran player coming to the end of his career. He was constantly anticipating where the ball would be to win a tackle or intercept. Toby I think Glyn deserves McDonald’s for a week.

Mally

Linked the play up really well. Another hard week for forwards but whenever he got the ball he made something happen. Defended from the front and won as many tackles up there as some of the defenders did.

Harrison

Played with fire in his belly today. A definite change in his desire to get involved in the physicality. At one stage he took on 4 players in tackles and came out with the ball. This is going to be a turning point I can feel it.

Harry

Very little to go on as his pace and runs were a bit redundant on a very small pitch. This didn’t stop him putting 150% in for his team. He chased absolutely everything down and made sure that there were no lost causes at all. This helped keep Salisbury pinned and this defending from the front was crucial.

Well done everyone!!!