BAYS UNITED FURY 6 - LAKEHILL FC 0

Another great game fellas!!

This past weekend we faced a team with a lot of pedigree and hard working guys: Lakehill FC. As always we went into the game with the mentality to work hard and respect our opposition. The game was interesting from the start. Defensively, Lakehill was difficult to break down despite our pressure. Strategically it was an interesting game too as we knew that Lakehill had some very skillful players and some very tough players. But the boys worked hard and were able to have a successful game after all.

Mr. Clarkson taking control of the middle

I will start with the defenders. Our backline is becoming more astute and composed as our season goes on. Aaron did not rush things and made a couple of important saves to keep the team calm and focused. It may seem ironic but often, having an inactive period of time actually works against a goalie as he may need to spring into action suddenly and without much warning. So I am glad to see that Aaron kept his focus during the entire game. Well done Brasileiro!

Aaron passing to his teammate Marcel

Our center backs were solid again: Pierce and Jonathan took control of anything that came their way. They shifted sides when needed and maintained possession when needed. Pierce and Jonathan also showed their savvy when in two different occassions they shielded the ball and let it run out for a goal kick despite having a very ambitious and strong Lakehill forward on their backs. Well done fellas!

Pierce clearing things at the back

For their part, Brandon and Marcel not only provided security on the wings but also joined the attack. I counted at least 4 times that Brandon destroyed the attack from our opposition and immediately started a counter attack. Clearly, this boy is determined to meet the opposition head to head in any game ~ I think we all must give Brandon great credit for his game ~ it was fantastic. Marcel again showed why we rely on him as a defender but also joined the attack and eventually played as a winger, only to be robbed twice on two very well taken shots ~ Bravo Marcel, keep up the good work - it is coming!

Marcel starting another attack down the line

Justin and Hamish also did very well at the back. Hamish was particularly effective on making passes down the line and setting up our strikers in more than one occasion. He also moved well and his touch was instrumental in several of our wing attacks. Atta Boy Hamish - keep that up my friend. Just remember to be careful with your offsides. No worries though, we are gonna work on that and I have full confidence that you are going to be even more amazing soon. For his part, Justin again set control in the middle (both as a midfielder and a center back). One thing I love about Justin is that he'll play wherever I ask him to play and does his best to do it well. You are a rock JC and we appreciate it.

Justin running thangs!

As for our midfield and forwards? Well what can I tell you, I think they are doing great. I can only hope that the goals they have been scoring serve as a springboard to bigger and better play rather than as a stagnant in their progress and work ethic.

Offensively, our game started with a little bit of frustration. However, after our corner kick specialist Tyler set another beauty up, we broke the deadlock of 0 - 0 when Gabriel was able to find an open net and coolly score. Not long after Tyler took a great free kick from outside the 18 yard box and found the smallest of spaces to put the ball in the top corner ~ great piece of skill. Despite that, Lakehill continued to break our attacks down and made it difficult for us to score during that half. When the half time whistle blew, Darcy and I knew that we had to readjust.

In the second half, we continued the pressure but this time we added more speed up front. This created more attacks for us. Around 10 minutes into the second half, we won another corner kick. This time it was our skipper Jonathan who latched onto the ball and despite Lakehill's defenders blocking the initial attempts, Jonathan put the ball in the back of the net. This made it 3-0 for us. Then came two great plays by the same two guys. In one, Robbie received the ball and after controlling it set it back for Koby to take a one time shot to put it just under the cross bar. 4 - 0 and another great display of skill by Mr. Greaves (an almost exact copy of the goal he scored against Peninsula after Robbie set him up too). Then, in another one of our attacks, Koby took the ball into the box and this time, after cutting away from the defender, he returned the assist with a low ball to Robbie who took a one time shot to slot the ball into the opposite bottom corner. 5-0.

Robbie getting ready to set up things up while Hamish shows for help

Last, as we continued to pressure Finn took a shot from outside the box. Although he tried, the goalie could not hold control the shot and this made it 6-0 for us. This was to be our final score.

Finn forechecking a tough Lakehill defender

I cannot go without saying how Thomas was great in holding the ball up front and being in the right place at the right time. I want to give special props to this boy who plays his best every time he is on the field. Thomas you are showing you have the skill to roll with the best. Ben, you had a very good game in the center mid. You looked for incisive passes and showed for your players very well. Just remember to get a touch on the ball when it is going by you too fast ~ once you do that, you will do even better ~ great game though! And good ol' Koby was again instrumental in our game. Bad ankle or not, this boy knows his game and shows it every time.  Last, I want to give props to our other forwards Gabriel, Finn and Robbie for providing a diverse set of skills that compliment one another. Just remember: it's not how many goals YOU score, it's how many goals OUR TEAM scores that matters.

Ben taking a shot from far out

In the end, the boys played well and showed that they have the capacity to do well. My only concern is that high scoring games in our favour may hide the things we need to work on. So please keep this in mind: we are not out of the woods yet. We must continue to be diligent in our practices and focus during each game. If we lose sight of that, we may bring upon us our own demise and lose grip and what can be a season to remember.

WHAT WE DID WELL: we moved the ball from side to side well and maintained calm when needed. I was particularly impressed with our defenders joining the attack and ensuring that we did not sit back no matter the score.

WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON: Movement off the ball, LESS turn overs and communication. There was a very scary long period of time where we did not talk to one another and hence we gave the ball away needlessly. That is not a good sign fellows. Don't get too comfy. There are teams that will test our core and if we cannot communicate well, we will fall under pressure.

Ok, for now, back to practice ~ see you Monday night guys!

Roberto