Bays United 7 -  Juan de Fuca 0

Our game this weekend was an opportunity for the boys to come back from a disappointing game last weekend. It was our chance to try some changes and insert a new vitality into the game. It was our chance to see what other options we have in situations that we do not anticipate.

Koby working hard to block an attack by JDF

Although we dominated in the first half, we were not clicking as well as we should have. In several occasions, we made rushed passes which landed at the feet of the opposition and put us on the defensive unnecessarily. We were sluggish at times even though we had space to take and opportunities to exploit. When we did open up Juan de Fuca's defence, our shots went high over or to the side of the net. Pierce, who was for the first time playing up front, caused problems for the opposition but was having a bit of a hard time settling. Tyler, with his speed, also maintained pressure on the wing and was unlucky to have his shots fly too high. Marcel, with his strong work ethic, also pushed the opposition hard. We missed a couple of open chances. However, towards the end of the half, Marcel's persistence paid off by blocking a clearance that went back towards the Juan de Fuca goal. Pierce followed the ball in and with strong determination slotted the ball into the net. 1 -0. We settled a bit more after that but we still looked a bit in disarray at times. Half time came.

Jonathan defending an attack by JDF

During half time, we made some further changes. We changed some of the players in specific positions and then indicated to the boys that we had to go and do what we wanted to do from the beginning: Pressure the opposition and take away their spaces. We also asked the wings to stay wide to open up the field during our attacks.

Immediately starting the second half, the boys were better. The first noticeable change came when Gabriel displayed his skill by taking on not one, but five players. He dribbled through with speed, tenacity and determination. He beat the first player to the ball, then pushed the ball past the next one, then cut inside on the next one, then cut away again from the last one and then beat the goalie by strongly shooting the ball to the top of the net. It was the boost the boys needed.

Gabriel mounting another attack down the wing

Not long after, Koby carried out a similar play. From the middle, Koby took the space in front of him. He dribbled through, carrying players with him to the side of the net. He then cut towards the net slightly and with his right foot slotted the ball to the opposite side of the net. 3-0.

We seemed better. Gabriel began to take command of the wing by staying wide and coming back to defend. It was clear that our midfield was being more disciplined. Hamish was a constant menace and the Juan de Fuca defenders were having a nightmare trying to stop him. For their part, our defenders maintained a close eye on breakaways and in more than a few occasions had to come back and defend hard (but successfully) against the Juan de Fuca strikers. Our strikers were also pressuring more and more.

Robbie moving forward pressuring for more goals

Our next goal came from a very nicely taken corner kick by Hamish. It was Pierce again who, through good positioning and strength, controlled the ball and spun around to shoot the ball into the net. It actually hit a defender's hand but ended up in the back of the net nonetheless. The pressure continued and soon after Hamish, who was having a great game, took a shot with his right foot which was clearly stopped by a defender with his arm. Penalty. Hamish stepped up and cooly took it - the goalie did not even move. This marked our 5th goal.

Towards the end, our goalie Aaron, who was given a chance to play out, had two great goals. The first came after Gabriel passed the ball along the ground from the wing and Robbie intelligently faked receiving the ball, dummying the defender, letting the ball pass through for Aaron to end alone with it before goal, controlling it and smashing it into the back of the net. The other was even more sensational. Aaron received a ball from the midfield. As it was bouncing, he put it over and around the defender behind him and once in the clear, without much hesitation, took a volley shot from far out, which hit the top right corner of the net. Although this was our last goal of the day, this did not stop Thomas who with only seconds left in the game also tried a volley from the top of the box, only to have it miss the net by inches. The final whistle came immediately after that.

Aaron cutting away while Thomas begins to move into space

Based on today, it is clear that we have what it takes to succeed. I think that when all of us work hard, from the goalie to the strikers, we are unstoppable. But the key word is "work" ~ we must play every game hard, no matter the opposition.

Coming together after a well-deserved win

I want to give props to Finn for playing goal in the second half and to all the boys who played in positions that you usually do not play in ~ it's all for the team so good on you for never saying no and always trying to do your best.

Thanks and see you Tuesday ~ remember, no practice on Halloween.

Cheers,

Roberto