The Albury Sharks kick started their cup campaign on Saturday with an extremely satisfying performance. Drawn away against current league leaders, Mytchett Athletic, Albury found themselves battling both a strong opposition, and the dregs of Storm Amy. A powerful cross-wind battered the pitch from the very start so our key tactic was to keep the ball on the floor at all times and therefore to make sure our off-the-ball movement gave the person with the ball plenty of simple passing options.

The Sharks started on the front-foot, pressing intensely and being first to every ball. Albury's shape when out of possesion was superb, particularly at the back, with a back four of Greg Walker, Ali Jennis, Gabe Fitzgerald and Harry Connelly looking untroubled against a fast and strong attack. Though they grappled and battled, the Mytchett attack could not break down the disciplined defence, with each defender winning their 1-1 battles excellently. In the middle of the pitch, Captain Ben Gregory and Daniel McGraw absolutely ran the show, hoovering up possession, and moving the ball quickly and intelligently into attacking positions. We started slightly differently on Saturday: Josh Franklin led the Albury line, using his formidable pace and strength to cause havoc in the Mytchett defence and he started the game superbly, recieving the ball with his back to goal before swivelling and releasing a marauding Harvey Rush on the right wing. Although the cross couldn't be converted, it was an excellent start. Josh Franklin and Harvey combined again to create another chance that was well cleared, while on the other side, Noah Davies and Josh Smith combined excellently to put pressure on the Mytchett defence. I was really impressed, yet again, with Josh Smith in his new position of attacking midfield. Josh came up against some strong defenders today but was really up for the battle, using his pace and strength to physically win every battle, and playing calm, clever passes to his team mates.

Albury were playing some nice football, but the deadlock was broken by some sheet tenacity as Ben Gregory cleverly fed Josh Franklin, who powered his way through the defence to finish for 1-0. Josh has also recently changed positions, and has adapted to a more attacking role fantastically. He played excellently on Saturday and truly deserved his second goal of the season.

A couple of changes were made in the first half. Daniel Egbe came on up front, moving Josh Franklin in behind him, and Josh Smith came out to the left hand side, and Mackenzie Rose entered the fray on the right wing. Mac had an almost instant impact, hugging the touchline and creating a lot of space out wide.Ben Gregory managed to find Mac wide out on the right, but Mac somehow managed to fire a clinical shot into the bottom corner from a very acute angle, giving the Sharks a 2-0 lead. This was a finish of really high quality: well done Mac!

Half time
Mytchett 0-2 Sharks

Last week, Mytchett had been 3-0 down at half time and had come back to win 5-3 so we knew that they had a comeback in them. We spoke about the need to continue playing confidently, not allowing a fightback to impact the way we play. Mytchett definitely started brightly, forcing Goalkeeper Dexter Williams into a couple of fine saves, one particular effort that drew a lot of praise from the opposition coaches. Nevertheless, the defence remained very calm. Harvey Rush, returning to right back kept his winger at bay while Harry Connelly had a masterful game at left back, keeping their very pacy right winger in his pocket, supported by Mackenzie who switched to the left wing.
Albury were under the cosh in the middle, but Ben, Daniel and Josh worked phenomenally hard, and though they had a little let possession, they never looked like ceding control of the game. The Sharks were having a lot of joy on the counter attack: Mackenzie causing trouble on the left, with Noah Davies causing havoc on the right hand side. Noah pressed very high, chasing down every ball, and forced the opposition defenders into mistakes time and time again. Supported by Harvey and Josh Smith, Albury were beginning to get crosses into the box and creating chances. Daniel Egbe looked full of beans in attack, joining the press superbly. Mytchett have been unbeaten this season until this point, and you could tell that their defenders weren't used to facing a striker of Egzy's strength and power. This was Daniel at his best, making clever runs in between defenders, winning the ball through sheer strength while holding them off and turning on a six-pence. On a few occasions, Daniel forced excellent saves from the goal keeper and you could tell that the next goal was close.

The final goal was a quality team effort. Daniel McGraw and Ben Gregory combined nicely in the midfield, before using Harvey Rush and Noah Davies on the right hand side. Keeping calm under pressure the ball made it's way to Josh Smith who did incredibly to hold of his defender before slipping a quality pass through to daniel Egbe who turned and shot, firing in the rebound after a quality save from the gaol keeper. We had been working on quick passing and moving, as well as penetrative passes on Wednesday so I was a very smug coach on the touchline.

Albury continued to attack and could have had a few more but it was Mytchett who found the last bit of fight and fired in a late consolation goal. Nevertheless, it was too little too late and the Sharks progressed through to the next round.

Final score
Mytchett 1-3 Sharks

Goals:
Josh Franklin
Mackenzie Rose
Daniel Egbe

Harry's MOTM: Daniel McGraw
Captain's MOTM: Josh Franklin

Coaches reflections:
1. This was a very satisfying game. Mytchett were a good team but the Sharks dealt with their threat brilliantly, managed the conditions superbly, and played some really nice attacking football. The win was very deserved and never looked in doubt.

2. In the last few weeks, the Sharks had been playing in a strangely direct manner that was failing to break down defences. Today, they passed quicker, their off the ball movement was far more intelligent and they reaped the rewards. Massive credit to ben Gregory and Daniel McGraw who absolutely ran the game.

3. Big shout out to Harry Connelly who had a tricky opponent today and yet dealt with the threat so well. His positioning was fantastic, his tackles were hard but well-timed and the poor winger didn't have any answers. Well done Harry!

Well done Sharks! Que sera sera...