Result 7 – 0
An all round excellent performance by the boys today, with some wonderful, free flowing football.
After focussing on passing, and movement off the ball in training – the theme for the match was to try and pass the other team to death. Anyone present at the game would have seen the lads execute to to the letter.
It could be argued our goals for column should have been swelled by a far greater margin – but that was never our main concern. After playing Stafford earlier in the season – we were looking for a collective effort from the boys to stay disciplined and not be tempted to increase their own goal tallies through ‘individual’ goals.
Starting with the traditional 4-4-2 formation, the lads calved open 4-5 clear cut goalscoring opportunities in the first couple of minutes, and we unlucky not to be a couple of goals to the good before Mat Smith’s defence splitting pass found Jack James, who centred from the right hand byline, to find Zack Porter who timed his run to perfection – heading the ball over the oncoming keeper.
Jack Philpott continued his fine form in front of goal, Bundling one home from a Corner, as well a cooly finishing from close range – clipping the ball over the keeper in to the right hand corner of the net.
Greg Marshall, (Left Wing), showing some great vision at times, was rewarded with a fine left footed finish, lifting the ball over the on rushing keeper – after being put through by a wonderful pass from Mike Hartwell. Greg also grabbed a second again after a fantastic passing move, finishing from close range – just right of the penalty spot.
In between the teams fine passing display Mike Hartwell, who’s corners had caused Town trouble throughout – struck a delicious free kick, high into the oppositions net, from 20 yeards – illustrating his clinical dead ball ability.
Scott Oakden was rarely troubled in goal, but he looked sharp when called into action and his distribution to the fullbacks Jacob Dore (RB) and Ben Yates (LB) lead to many of our best moves. One of the reasons for Scott having a quiet day at the office was the superb display by our two Centre Backs – Ryan Lucas and Reece Jecketts – who marshalled the defence to great effect.
The defence collectively, were excellent at offering attacking cover… as were the midfield, who supported strikers and defenders alike.
At half time we made 4 changes – bringing on all the subs, and asked the lads to continue moving the ball quickly. To Staffords credit they kept battling and saw a lot more of the ball. However Penkridge continued playing some mouthwatering ‘one touch play’… and were unlucky not to double the goal tally – with shots and crosses raining in from all angles.
We talked at the begining of the game, about the importance of having a strong set of substitutes, and our tactical reasons for our selection. To their credit each substitute made a telling contribution. Ben Dobson, kept up the intensity with some fine play and excellent crosses from the left wing, Jack Hill entered the play at centre forward and yet again caused the defence loads of problems with his pace and movement, but he was again left wondering how he did not score. Danny Tudor replaced Ryan Lucas in the heart of defence – he too could have been on the scoresheet, but was thwarted by some brave keeping a defending from the Away team. And Jack Croty, who started the second half at right back, then moved forward to right wing, caught the eye with some blistering runs and fine crossing.
In the end, the boys only added one goal to the 6 scored in the first half, but that really doesn’t tell the story of the second half performance. Zack Porter grabbed his second goal – blasting home from close range after a sustained spell of pressure. Jack Philpott was denied a hatrick by the post and again some desperate blocks and tackles.
As the game went into the last 15 minutes, we changed things around to give stalwart centre midfielders Mike Hartwell and the excellent Mat Smith a rest. Ryan Lucas and Greg Marshall equited themselves very well, playing together for the first time in the centre of the park. Jacob Dore came back on at right back and continued to show his recent great form with some decisive inteceptions and intelligent passing.
From a coaches perspective, the match was a world apart from the display (away to Stafford) earlier in the season, even though the scorelines were similar. We asked for a certain style of performance and to a man – that is what we got. I am sure all of those who were there, offering great t vocal support will agree – when Penkridge play their passing game – they are a joy to watch.
Maybe next weeks training session should concentrate on finishing! (LOL)
Goalscorers (Jack Philpott 2, Zack Porter 2, Greg Marshall 2, Mike Hartwell 1)
MOTM - Greg Marshall
