DEVS VS ROSSENDALE
Context
Last Saturday saw the much anticipated return of league football for the Development Team, in the league against Rossendale. In the reverse fixture, which was our previous match, the opposition took three points from us, taking full advantage of us on a match day peppered with unavoidable circumstances for us.
It was an alien, isolated and unexpected challenge for the team from the off. Which for a set of lads that had always allowed for a consistent set up, without fail this season, from match day routines to a settled squad each week (solely down to the buy-in from the lads), notably disrupted momentum we had built from our four wins, back to back, in the league. Illness left the team with no management, paired with unavoidable player drop outs late on, this left us with a bare eleven just prior to kick off.
It goes without saying it changed the dynamic of the day - despite this, as expected due to their top attitude, the leadership group that was put in place at the start of the season (Ryan, Kirby, Zain) stepped up and took responsibility to do everything possible to keep going, organising travel, kits, management etc. Their exemplary attitude is duly noted by me and I am genuinely thankful that they had my back, as I was unable to attend despite best efforts, it further solidifies the genuine unity this group has. In the end the team were unlucky to not take the points back to Burton Park.
Taking all of this into consideration, it fueled our collective energy, motivation and desire from us all to bounce back last Saturday, to right the wrong of losing, and regain focus on doing our job. Back to normal with management returning, regaining our full strength squad - everyone was flying pre-match.
Message
The pre-match team talk focused on initiating hunger again, asking for the determination and the fight we have demanded from each other. Working hard and grafting for the boys around you is fundamental and without heart any technical or tactical instructions are redundant. Earn the right to play, out run them, need it more and impose early. Tactically we are crystal clear on how we play as a team, be powerful and aggressive and show comfort and intent in possession, utilise a high line and proactive press on triggers identified from Webby, set the shape in close proximity from defence to attack and use our biggest assets as frequently as possible. Against Rossendale specifically we needed to use width to our advantage and produce quality deliveries for our forward line and third man runners from midfield.
There was no room for complacency, we know each game is a cup final now as we push for promotion places and we need to be at the races from the off then not stop for 90 minutes. Instructions from the back going forward, for each position were laid out and expectations and requirements explained, so they can assess how their game is going and be reassured what they are tasked with in game, to play freely with confidence having a clear mind. I was impressed with the application in the warm up as it set the tone for the game.
1st Half
I want to initially praise Rossendale, they are a good side that will take points from a lot of sides this season. The game started competitively, they came into this game in solid form and boasting an influx of new faces. All in all, we stuck to the game plan well, working into their box consistently, threatening from set pieces, turning the defence around in the channels and setting up shop in their half, it is far from perfect but the running and attitude gave us the platform to improve as time passed and we settled.
Using our physicality and strength aerially saw us grab the opener - a top delivery saw Lonny head the ball across goal to set up debutant Andy Crawford with an open goal, which he clinically disposed of - he showed great intelligence and confidence to be in the right place. We didn’t ease up and came close on numerous occasions, Si Riley hitting the post with an overhead kick. Rossendale did cause trouble on a couple of occasions playing through their wingers, but our defence and goalkeeper remained resilient, to take us into half time ahead.
Half Time
Anticipating a change in shape from Rossendale and to keep the lads in the zone we switched to 4-3-3, to solidify defensively and mute their wingers - as we could double up with full backs and wingers. We reiterated the need for characters and made a couple of tactical tweaks for set piece movement that we believed could be rewarding and we missed initially. We weren’t happy as we knew we could do even more, what was pleasing is that I could take a step back and listen to the lads take initiative on improving - all of them on the same page.
2nd Half
The game started as we left it, for the first third of the second half. Then Rossendale broke through one on one, a top save from our skipper, Oli was followed up by their forward to equalise. As has been a trait of the team this season, the lads did not lose focus and let the in game emotion swing momentum in favour of Rossendale - all season we have reacted well and I can’t ask for more. Ryan Clayton made it 2-1 from a quality free kick from 20 yards finding the top corner off the bar, with a whipped shot to the keepers far post, making sure there was no question Lonny slammed the ball in the net, showing heart to be first to the second ball, but the referee had already given the goal. Testament to our opposition, they came back strong. After a scramble from a free kick on the edge of our area the ball sat up for their player to place a shot bottom corner from outside the box - praise where it is due, the finish was clinical. Rossendale made it 2-2 with only six and a half minutes left, so now we had to show belief, resilience and patience.
We remained calm and level headed, progressing the ball from Phil Noon into Craig Kirby who found a yard of space in the pockets, a clever shift of his feet was followed by a perfectly weighted ball into the path of our wingback Tom Tobias, who despite being pressed heavily found a pin point cross into Chewy.
Chew was sprinting with laser focus from the centre circle, reiterating the importance of desire to graft until full time, he made a third man run from CM in the 90th minute, demanding it to his chest and receiving it, touching it through and disposing of two centre halves who took each other out, he skipped through them with a touch down to his feet full of purpose, he rifled it into the top right corner from just inside the box like a prime Kaka, Chewy cemented three points and likely the goal of the season award.
Full Time
All of us at full time were discussing what we need to work on going forward and we weren’t in any way over excited or satisfied. Communication, game management and getting more shots off are the targets set to improve on. However, appreciation was shared between every member of the squad for the relentless effort and hard work - that we had shown well.
Man of the Match was awarded to Andy Crawford on his debut from Simon Lord. Notable mention to Peter Cunningham making his Development Team debut following numerous impressive displays in training and for the Third Team - his first touch was a clean nutmeg so that set the tone for the future.
Captain, and GK, Oli Gollcher had a top game yet again, he stayed focused in the periods where he had nothing to do which allowed him to make outstanding saves when called upon, leading from the back vocally, dominating his area and quality distribution was a pleasure to watch.
Craig Kirby again showing inspiring effort running over 11k, these standards and having such impressive accountability has been one of the most pleasing habits to look on this season, it is a pleasure to be able to have these boys in my team - I am very grateful, each member of the squad played a pivotal part in getting these three points on the board and they should take pride and confidence into the next game.
On the 15th February we face Old Rivingtonians, we are looking forward to this enormously. Lot’s to work on and prepare - come on you saints.
Sam