We started the day by talking about the need not to waste last weeks excellent result by failing to win today against historically dogged and determined opponents. We continued with a 3-5-2 formation with a view to getting bodies forward to help Dan and Liam. The boys observed an excellent minutes silence before the game.

 

In the first half we met some spirited resistance and although Dan Ellis hardly touched the ball we needed to defend well on several occasions. The passing was again good and the tackling determined but the movement was not quite there and we created several opportunities without quite getting on the end of them. Sean had a really good shot come cross that went just wide and the St Vallier goalkeeper saved excellently from a Dan Abbott shot but despite a lot of possession we were unable to create many chances.

Just before halftime we had a sniff of a chance but a lack of communication meant two players getting in each others way and the chance had gone . Halftime came with the score goalless , although we were on top with the majority of possession and most of the chances.

 

We spoke at halftime about the need not to panic, as we were creating chances. We switched to a 4-4-2 formation and brought James W on and this was to prove decisive. Within 5 minutes of the restart we had got our lead when a strong run and good cross by Josh lead to an unfortunate own goal. The boys confidence noticeably improved and some of the quick passing returned and after an excellent pass by James W, Dan Abbott ran through and superbly rounded both the keeper and chasing defender before rolling the ball in for a two goal lead. We were defending so well that the game never looked in doubt after that.

Joe Thwaites had some excellent runs down the left and we created a host of chances, but had to settle for two superb finishes by James Winward , both from the edge of the box. The first came after a good break down the right and a lovely lofted finish , and the second after Liam had brilliantly dispossessed a defender and passed to him.

 

The win was ultimately a comfortable one after a difficult first half. I was pleased with the way that we kept going even though the goals weren't coming and didn't let heads go down. This was a game that perhaps last season we would have drawn but the boys played with confidence throughout and got their just rewards. We have to take this good form and confidence into the next two games, both against Henbury and if we do I am sure we can get something from each game.

 

Match Performances 

 

Dan Ellis - another clean sheet was reward for a good performance . Next step up is dead ball kicking

 

Joe Alemzadeh - did well , got forward to help Josh and never gave up throughout

 

Callum Hawkins - stood firm against some physical opponents , comfortable on the ball and distributed well

 

Matt Baker - strong challenges and some good heading .

 

Arran Moran - did well and tackled determinedly . Got forward to help when he could

 

Scott Crane - did well when he came on , unlucky to get injured

 

Andy Webb - tackled well and distributed better than of late , really helped his defence . Next step is getting some shots in from the edge of the box

 

Matt Newbery - worked well in tandem with Andy , with one going forward and the other covering

 

James Page - passed the ball well , got into some good positions headed the ball well

 

Josh Seymour - some trademark runs down the left wing should have lead to a few goals .

 

Sean Fahey - unlucky with a great cross shot , worked hard and was a constant threat down the right

 

Joseph Thwaites - did really well when he came on , some strong runs and seems to be increasing in confidence . Got some great crosses in

 

Sam Vankuylenberg - strong tackling and some good runs down the right . Got some excellent crosses in

 

James Winward - changed the game when he came on . Constant threat , great pass for Dans goal and two superb finishes .

 

Liam Vincent - worked really hard and never allowed opponents to settle . One superb tackle set up the fourth goal 

 

Dan Abbott - brilliant display again - worked hard , used his body well and took his goal very well