U13 Jaguars Match Report – 19 November 2023

Another rollercoaster game against JAM which ended all square.

After ‘banging on’ about starting strong and trying to get 2 goals up before 20 minutes, we started really sloppy.

After 90 seconds a through ball that we literally set the team up to avoid, found their number 11 who squirmed it through Rowan and it just crossed the line.

JAM 1-0 Jaguars

We still didn’t settle and soon after it was 2.0. A back pass that held up in the mud. Rowan bravely came out to win the ball but got hurt in the collision. The game went on and the ball eventually found a JAM player who could put the ball into an unguarded net.

Rowan had to come off and Thomas once again took one for the team and pulled on the gloves.

JAM 2-0 Jaguars

Glyn got the lads into a huddle while rowan was being treated and tried to get things sorted and get us plauying.

We did slowly start to get butter. Martin stuck on the JAM number 11 and did superbly well and Theo covered brilliantly behind. The plan started to work at the back.

We couldn’t get our football going on a sticky pitch so we would need to find other ways.

In a carbon copy of last weeks goal, James leapt like a salmon at a corner to beat the keeper with a header. Back in it!!

JAM 2-1 Jaguars

We needed to get to half time and reset for a big second half push.

Unfortunately another slip in concentration allowed the winger to beat 4 people way too easily and score with a sweet finish from an acute angle. Sucre blow just as we were getting into it.

Jam were bossing it and spreading the play well.

JAM 3-1 Jaguars

We always have faith in this group of players though and we reiterated that at half time. No matter how bad we have played we always have the ability and resilience to change gears and get ourselves out of a mess.

Rowan came back on which allowed Thomas to take his place in midfield.

We managed to play a bit better for the first 10 minutes of the half but couldn’t seem to get ourselves into it.

Lloyd was finding it hard as he was being taken out of the game by some very ‘robust’ marking. The free kicks he was earning were giving us good chances to load the box.

With 15 minutes to go we still needed goals.

Chris G had a master plan of gambling with a 343 formation.

Martin went up front and he caused mayhem. Within minutes he was charging down the right wing, hit the byline and calmly pulled the ball back to Mally who finished well. Game on!

JAM 3-2 Jaguars

We were pushing now and had all the momentum.

A good run from Harry and a nice bit of skill drew a slightly late tackle from the defender which resulted in a penalty.

As always skipper Glyn took responsibility and kept his compotesure.

The keeper guessed the right way but it was a perfect penalty into the bottom corner.

JAM 3-3 Jaguars

We had the momentum so we had to try decide whether to preserve the draw or try gamble to win. We stuck with the formation to get the win.

3 points or no points.

It almost paid off when AJ went clear with one of his trademark runs. He hit it well but the big keeper managed to save it. The cheeky back heel by AJ from the rebound unfortunately didn’t come off.

Full time

JAM 3-3 Jaguars

Another 5 minutes and we curd have found a winner. A draw was probably a fair result though as we were outplayed and out battled in the first half.

We always learn from these games and must take things away. We can’t keep starting sloppy and giving teams headstarts. It’s hard work to then make those psychological shifts.

Once the momentum is with us we have to fight hard to keep it. That means keeping tempo going. Don’t give the oppo a moment to think or regroup. Don’t throw that momentum away easily by staying down hurt unless you are truly injured. It’s very hard to get those momentum shifts back.

Really pleased with Rowan, AJ, William and Riley who all asked to come off when they knew they weren’t able to give 100% for the team! Teamwork makes the dream work.

Came away from that game with different filling emotions. Gutted we started so badly when all focus was on starting strong but super proud of how we clawed a draw out of the game.

Lots of differing votes for player of the day today with no one individual standing out.

Managers pick was Martin who recovered from a bad start to do exactly what was asked of him by the coaches. Made a big difference up front but most pleasing of all he took control and de-escalated a situation when some players from both sides were getting heated.

Lloyd- Not his most spectacular game but got votes for different reasons. He persevered in the face of some rough treatment and never took a step backwards.

Glyn- Worked like mad and never stopped running got a bonus 10 minutes because I forgot to switch James back on . Big apologies to James. I will make it up to you.

Harrison – looked nice and confident after his injury lay off. Linked play up really well and nearly always made the right choices. Some nice bits of skill and body use.

Riley – Really really solid and showed his team mates how to do it with some strong headers and tough tackles.

But taking it today by a couple of votes was Aidan. Never gave up and set the tone. Solid in everything he did at full back or centre back.

Kept his mouth shut when maybe on another day he would have let his head drop and chit chat takeover. He kept focused and showed us exactly what he can do if he drives the team.

Well played Aidan and everyone else for turning it around in the end.