Saturday afternoon brought to Witan a new league clash against a very well-known opponent. We played against them 3 weeks before and we lost after a great first half. As usual. the game was scheduled in the afternoon and today we played at home.
Everyone knew the quality of the other team maybe that is why Witan’s player were ready earlier that usual showing that we cared about the game and the concentration level of the squad.
After a proper warming up session leading by Witan’s captain,we had the chance to talked about the strengths and weaknesses of them to be ready for the options where the game could go. It was said that they were stronger team, but we know that in football anything can happen and if the team works together you can COMPETE against any team.
Referee whistled the kick of following the British standard of punctuality and the battle started as we predicted with a rival doing a high pressure and looking for long balls to get fast combination and reach the Witan’s box quickly. Witan was uncomfortable in the pitch missing easy combination and desperate to find support and help close to the ball when we had the possession.
The beginning of the game shows the intentions of them, and we started to be more solid and compact not losing the position and the lines all together. This context put the first clear chance to score for us after a good ball transition from the back line to the front that put the nerves on the edge showing the capacity of this team to do things right. After this opportunity the game followed the same outline. Compact and a bit more focused on the game the second big opportunity of the game was also for us after a mistake of their center back that “JACK” could not finish on target for little.
The first half an hour of the game was gone, and the score showed no goals, but Witan started to find spaces between lines and longer possessions brough more confident to the team. When we started to overcome that initial pressure, a mistake in a “CLASSIC ONE TOUCH PASS” from Fede sent the ball to corner for them and the ghosts did the rest. A not dangerous ball was delivered from the corner to find Jonny’s foot and stablished the 0-1 in an unavoidable and unlucky pass to the net.
After that goal the team was a bit confused because we knew the great game that we were doing and in the less unexpected situation we were losing a game where we had had a couple of clearer chances.
The half time gave us the opportunity to talk and understand what it was happening. We all agreed about the outstanding level they played and that it was going to be almost impossible that hey kept doing that for so long.
The second half was a new game. Witan came into the pitch with a lot of electricity combining and finding people in the space. All the lines working together and getting nice movement and putting them for first time in serious problems. Defenders passing the ball with confidence and not making a single mistake, wingers explosive looking for the one to one and winning challenges easily and strikers getting the ball closer to the target, and mid-fields connecting the different parts of the team. The engine was back on track, and it was just a matter of time. A rebound from a corner for us allowed to Witan’s MVP to show his instinct and skills for this sport sending the ball to net in a perfect turn around and first touch.
Effort and work were paid but it was not good enough for the Light Blue who kept pressing and looking for the second goal to break the equalizer. The team performance was perfect for most of the second period they did not exist on the pitch totally knocked by the teamwork.
Unfortunately, Jonny, who was already telling us about his PAIN had to leave the pitch around the 75’ and from that point on the team lost a bit of balance and they were able again to take advantage of that reaching deepness in the counter attacks and having more presence in our side.
Now the rebound benefited them getting a ball out of the box which was perfectly sent to target in an unstoppable volley setting the 1-2 with less than 10’ to the end of the game.
The last 10’ we were trying our best and controlling the ball. They gave up already any intention to look for the 1-3 defending compact and stopping the Witan’s attacks with tactical fouls.
Apart from the final score 1-2 and a new defeat, the feeling of that game was good. Against a stronger and better team and competing almost till the end, playing a smarter game that them and showing our strengths as a team.
The team is much more confident keeping the ball for longer positions, we know how to overcome pressing lines with clever pass ball movement and experienced players reading and understanding the need of the game as it comes.
Solid, compact, and versatile that is how the team is showing that we are keen on doing things better and improve across the games coming.
One of the most beautiful things in football when the team is beaten is that the following weekend there is a new chance to get rid of a previous defeat and work for a victory, therefore, let’s go for it!
report written by Federico
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