U14 Sharks
Matches
Sat 26 Oct 2024
Albury FC
U14 Sharks
6
0
Churt Junior Tigers
Taming the Tigers

Taming the Tigers

Harry Good27 Oct - 19:27
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https://www.alburyfc.co.uk/tea

Albury Sharks continue their fine form

Off the back of a thumping away win against our closest threat this season, the aura at training midweek was one of complacency. Part of being a top footballer is not just about being technically able or tactically astute, an elite mentality is also absolutely crucial. How would the sharks react on the pitch?

2 minutes in, I had my answer. After a very bright start from the Sharks, Captain Ben Gregory played a sumptuous curling penetrative pass for the onrushing Daniel Egbe to control wonderfully and slot home. A very good start from the Sharks, who found the net shortly after, with Liciano Gouviea recieving the ball from Josh Smith in the middle of a melee to somehow find the corner of the net.

This Churt team were no fools though. Despite their current low position in the league, they played nice football at times and had some tricky players. In the opening phase, Gabe Fitzgerald and Mackenzie Rose were called into action to make crucial blocks, and goalkeeper Dexter Williams had to be alert to skillfully avoid the opposition high press. Nevertheless, Albury continued to dominate. The midfield cushion of Ivan Iduriaga and Daniel Mcgraw allowed Captain Ben Gregory room to run run at the Churt defense, catalysing some excellent passing moves. Josh Smith ran the defenders ragged, as did Daniel Stovald when he entered the action. In fact it was Josh who was next in on the action, grabbing a well deserved goal with an assist from Luciano.

It was then the turn of James Chandler to provide an assist, brilliantly controlling the ball and threading Josh through to finish clinically past the goalkeeper for 4-0. James played his role of target man excellently against Churt, creating plenty of chances for his teammates around him. Daniel Stovald caused carnage at the back for Churt as he ran through on the goalkeeper, who saved his shot but was outside of his penalty area when he parried the ball. Josh Smith, sniffing his hattrick, collected the ball and every person watching knew the ball would end in the net. We were proven correct as Josh hammered the ball through the Churt wall to claim his hattrick. In fact, he almost had his fourth seconds later after another clinical finish, only to be ruled, correctly, offside.

Half time:
Sharks 5-0 Churt

If anybody reading has never seen the St. Peter's pitch, I could best describe it as a ski slope. For the second half, Albury faced the uphill task of playing uphill. Despite our scoreline, we warned the boys to avoid complacency: if we can score five goals in one half, so can the opposition. Nevertheless, we also wanted to challenge the lads and switched to a completely new formation, switching from our regular 4-2-3-1, to a 5-3-2, with Harvey Rush and Harry Connelly playing as wing backs, Gabe, Ali and Mac playing as three centre backs and, for the first time in ages, playing with two upfront in Daniel Egbe and James Chandler.

You could tell the Churt players had been given a stern talking to by their coaches as they started the second half brightly, putting pressure on the Albury goal. Excellent defending from our back five kept them at bay, however our lack of width ensured that our attacks were not quite so potent and a crowded midfield meant that their were far more turnovers in possession. On the downhill, our defenders were very often chasing the ball towards their own goal and it was great to see them confident enough in the footballing abilities of goalkeeper Dexter Williams who would collect the ball calmly and spray the ball effectively to a teammate in space. At one point Dexter had to collect an arial ball from his own teammate on one knee, before casually bypassing a pressing attacker. To do this under such pressure highlighted the need for goalkeepers to train with their feet as well as their hands: well done Mr Williams, that was highly impressive!

Unfortunately, Harvey Rush, who has been on outstanding form this season, was brought down while on one of his marauding runs, landing awkwardly on his shoulder, signalling immediately that he needed to come off. This resulted in another change of system, with Mackenzie Rose moving to right back and Josh smith playing CAM, and Daniel Stovald and Luciano returning to give us much needed width. Almost immediately, Albury got their final goal, with Harry Connelly pouncing to fire a fantastic strike into the corner.

The game was wrapped up but it was fantastic to see the Sharks fighting for a clean sheet, with Mackenzie Rose making a fantastic sliding interception and Dexter Williams tipping a deflected shot over the bar.

Final Score:
Albury Sharks 6-0 Churt Junior Tigers

Scorers:
Daniel E
Luciano
Josh x 3
Harry

Paul's MOTM: Harvey
Harry's MOTM: Josh and Harry C

Coaches reflections:
1. I can be hard on these lads for their attitude in training but I was so impressed with their attitude from the first whistle to the last in this match. Nobody let their intensity slip at any point, even with the game wrapped up. An elite mentality is being fostered and they are reaping the rewards.

2. Josh Smith has worked so hard over the last few years when training with the team, and on his own, and is reaping the rewards. Churt couldn't handle him today and his hat trick was so well deserved.

3. Dexter Williams has not had loads to do this season in terms of saves, but has been such an asset to the team with his distribution and his calmness on the ball. That being said he had to pull off a wonder save at the end.

4. The change of system was always going to disrupt the Shark's style of play but it was great to watch them adapt to the challenge.

5. More evidence of fantastic team spirit today as Harry C had a blinder while playing out of position for most of the match and Mackenzie Rose who again had to fill in at full back. Also great to see Monty Byrne present to support his teammates even though he wasn't in Saturday's match squad. I've never seen such commitment from lads this young- superb stuff!

6. Harvey may be out for a while. We will really miss him- get well soon!

Match details

Match date

Sat 26 Oct 2024

Kickoff

09:30
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