With the Sharks looking to continue their winning streak, and to keep the boys playing this weekend I was forced to flip our home fixture to be played away again, so a massive thanks to the opposition’s manager for helping to make this possible.
The Sharks had a full team available, with no underwear shoots booked, or nails to be polished the boys were raring to go to try and extend our winning run. We were faced again with a team that had come down from the league above, so we were expecting a tough afternoon ahead of us.
The Sharks starting line-up was as follows, Dylan in goal, Elliott, Jack, Giacomo, Jake, Freddie and Aidan with Harry, Josh, Liam and Caleb all starting from the bench. As I have said in my previous reports, I try and keep a balanced team and bench as to not effect how we play during the game.
As the Sharks were about to take the field of play, it was brought to my attention that Elliott’s boot had developed an issue, quite literally Elloitt’s sole of his boot was hanging off! This gave us an issue as really the footwear was not suitable nor safe to play in. So an emergency call went out to the parents on the side-lines to see if anyone had some good old gaffer tape available so we could do some pitch side repairs. ‘60-minute make over’ eat your heart out as this was going to have to be done very quickly.
The game started, and Elliott was on the field of play with his sole half hanging off or on! depending how you want to look at this. But only after a couple of minutes the magic gaffer tape arrived, Elliott came off to have his boot repaired at the pitch side. While Elliott was off he was replaced by Harry who has proven that he is more than able to fill a void left by either Jack or Elliott, so a massive well done to him, it became clear though that once again this opposition was not going to create too many issue for Sharks as we took an early lead through Jake, he clearly has found his goal scoring touch again, which is pleasing to see. The goal was created through hard work and closing the ball down quickly, Giacomo as normal was closing everything down, with Jack now starting to support him better and also picking up the loose balls and trying to create something from a more advanced role.
With the Sharks now leading, we started to dominate the game, and really get on top of the opposition. With Freddie doing an excellent job on the left of midfield, holding his position and breaking into the box, this was causing the opposition problems as they didn’t know how to pick him up, Freddie is learning and progressing at an excellent rate, his ability to hold players off and make a telling pass is top notch and very pleasing to see, and this was the main reason for the Sharks doubling their lead. Freddie held the ball in a tight situation that lead to the Sharks getting an attacking corner, this was taken by Jack who played a delightful ball into the box that bounced through to Elliott, who managed to turn his shot goal wards, but was blocked and it fell to Giacomo, always lurking and he stabbed the ball home from close range.
Now the Sharks had a cushion, we were able to make changes, and give some players a rest and swap a few positions around to giving everyone a chance to play as much as they could.
The Sharks extended their lead again through Jake, but it could easily have been Aidan’s goal too. Jake was the player that took charge and turned the ball into the net to extend our lead. This came about because of Liam, Jack, Giacomo and Aidens’ hard work to keep possession and pass the ball when needed. As I said Aidan was unlucky not to have scored this goal, he has the ability to be a great player for the Sharks but just needs to understand and demand the ball when he wants it and also to go for it when the chance presents itself but I have no doubt this will come.
With the Sharks now cruising, the lads started to run with the ball again rather than passing the ball, it is something that needs to stop because it creates frustration between the boys as everyone wants to get on the scoresheet and play for themselves rather than all pulling in the same direction and playing for the team. So when the half time whistle went it was very well received. It gave us a chance to remind the boys that they will all get their chance if they passed the ball and play football.
As the second half got underway, the Sharks went straight after the opposition looking for more goals, and after reminding the lads that they need to pass more, they looked composed and threatening every time they attacked the opposition goal. Giacomo managed to grab his second of the game, with a strong solo run through the middle of the park and a calm finish. This then prompted a race to see who would be scoring their hatrick. This had made the game safe and the boys seemed to relax even more, which was a positive thing, but the Sharks were still defending strongly with some tough tackling from Jack and Elliott keeping the opposition at bay.
With the Sharks rotating positions, and allowing some of the lads to express themselves more I was able to swap Elliott into a more attacking role, and this proved fruitful straight away. Being supported by Caleb, Freddie and Josh, Elliott powered into the box and lashed the ball home for his first of the game which he was delighted with, Once again Aidan was doing a fine job on the right of midfield taking players on and driving at the opposition’s defence which was pleasing to see as this is what I want from him.
As the game was under control, I was able to let Dylan come out of goal and give him a run out on pitch and replace him with Jack who is always a willing keeper. The positions of the players had now changed but not the level of effort, everyone was trying extremely hard too and the Sharks still managed to score a few more goals which was pleasing to see.
It was Jake that managed to complete his hatrick with a great team goal, Josh was involved along with Aidan and Caleb, it is good to see the beaming smile that comes across Jakes face when he scores a goal. After scoring that goal it was all change again for the lads, I switched Jake to defence to allow Elliott to push upfront, Harry played in Jack’s position as a defence midfielder, Aidan was given the task of playing in the attacking midfield role, with Elliott pushing upfront.
By doing this confusion was created, not only for the opposition but also the Sharks, as we haven’t swapped positions that many times in one game, but it was a joy to see all the lads smiling and enjoying themselves.
It was the turn of Freddie to get onto the score sheet, a typical goal from my fox in the box, the ball broke lose in box after Elliott charged into the box before being tackled, the ball broke to Freddie who made the mistake of stabbing the ball home from close range.
The opposition then managed to pull a goal back, I felt to Jack. As it was a windy day and the ball was cleared up field and goal wards, Jack appeared to have everything covered but misjudged the flight of the ball and it drifted into our net over his head, slightly disappointing but nothing was going to change the result of the game, so we will put that down to bad luck and move on.
This goal against seemed to spur the boys on as we managed to add another two goals to the score line, with Liam scoring from close range, a deserved gaol for all of his hard work and effort during this game. And with a minute remaining Elliott managed to get his second of the game, deserved for the effort that he has been showing on the pitch recently.
So the Sharks have won again, and this makes the fifth win on the bounce, a great effort from a great set of lads that represent the Dunmow United Sharks.
The Sharks had a full team available, with no underwear shoots booked, or nails to be polished the boys were raring to go to try and extend our winning run. We were faced again with a team that had come down from the league above, so we were expecting a tough afternoon ahead of us.
The Sharks starting line-up was as follows, Dylan in goal, Elliott, Jack, Giacomo, Jake, Freddie and Aidan with Harry, Josh, Liam and Caleb all starting from the bench. As I have said in my previous reports, I try and keep a balanced team and bench as to not effect how we play during the game.
As the Sharks were about to take the field of play, it was brought to my attention that Elliott’s boot had developed an issue, quite literally Elloitt’s sole of his boot was hanging off! This gave us an issue as really the footwear was not suitable nor safe to play in. So an emergency call went out to the parents on the side-lines to see if anyone had some good old gaffer tape available so we could do some pitch side repairs. ‘60-minute make over’ eat your heart out as this was going to have to be done very quickly.
The game started, and Elliott was on the field of play with his sole half hanging off or on! depending how you want to look at this. But only after a couple of minutes the magic gaffer tape arrived, Elliott came off to have his boot repaired at the pitch side. While Elliott was off he was replaced by Harry who has proven that he is more than able to fill a void left by either Jack or Elliott, so a massive well done to him, it became clear though that once again this opposition was not going to create too many issue for Sharks as we took an early lead through Jake, he clearly has found his goal scoring touch again, which is pleasing to see. The goal was created through hard work and closing the ball down quickly, Giacomo as normal was closing everything down, with Jack now starting to support him better and also picking up the loose balls and trying to create something from a more advanced role.
With the Sharks now leading, we started to dominate the game, and really get on top of the opposition. With Freddie doing an excellent job on the left of midfield, holding his position and breaking into the box, this was causing the opposition problems as they didn’t know how to pick him up, Freddie is learning and progressing at an excellent rate, his ability to hold players off and make a telling pass is top notch and very pleasing to see, and this was the main reason for the Sharks doubling their lead. Freddie held the ball in a tight situation that lead to the Sharks getting an attacking corner, this was taken by Jack who played a delightful ball into the box that bounced through to Elliott, who managed to turn his shot goal wards, but was blocked and it fell to Giacomo, always lurking and he stabbed the ball home from close range.
Now the Sharks had a cushion, we were able to make changes, and give some players a rest and swap a few positions around to giving everyone a chance to play as much as they could.
The Sharks extended their lead again through Jake, but it could easily have been Aidan’s goal too. Jake was the player that took charge and turned the ball into the net to extend our lead. This came about because of Liam, Jack, Giacomo and Aidens’ hard work to keep possession and pass the ball when needed. As I said Aidan was unlucky not to have scored this goal, he has the ability to be a great player for the Sharks but just needs to understand and demand the ball when he wants it and also to go for it when the chance presents itself but I have no doubt this will come.
With the Sharks now cruising, the lads started to run with the ball again rather than passing the ball, it is something that needs to stop because it creates frustration between the boys as everyone wants to get on the scoresheet and play for themselves rather than all pulling in the same direction and playing for the team. So when the half time whistle went it was very well received. It gave us a chance to remind the boys that they will all get their chance if they passed the ball and play football.
As the second half got underway, the Sharks went straight after the opposition looking for more goals, and after reminding the lads that they need to pass more, they looked composed and threatening every time they attacked the opposition goal. Giacomo managed to grab his second of the game, with a strong solo run through the middle of the park and a calm finish. This then prompted a race to see who would be scoring their hatrick. This had made the game safe and the boys seemed to relax even more, which was a positive thing, but the Sharks were still defending strongly with some tough tackling from Jack and Elliott keeping the opposition at bay.
With the Sharks rotating positions, and allowing some of the lads to express themselves more I was able to swap Elliott into a more attacking role, and this proved fruitful straight away. Being supported by Caleb, Freddie and Josh, Elliott powered into the box and lashed the ball home for his first of the game which he was delighted with, Once again Aidan was doing a fine job on the right of midfield taking players on and driving at the opposition’s defence which was pleasing to see as this is what I want from him.
As the game was under control, I was able to let Dylan come out of goal and give him a run out on pitch and replace him with Jack who is always a willing keeper. The positions of the players had now changed but not the level of effort, everyone was trying extremely hard too and the Sharks still managed to score a few more goals which was pleasing to see.
It was Jake that managed to complete his hatrick with a great team goal, Josh was involved along with Aidan and Caleb, it is good to see the beaming smile that comes across Jakes face when he scores a goal. After scoring that goal it was all change again for the lads, I switched Jake to defence to allow Elliott to push upfront, Harry played in Jack’s position as a defence midfielder, Aidan was given the task of playing in the attacking midfield role, with Elliott pushing upfront.
By doing this confusion was created, not only for the opposition but also the Sharks, as we haven’t swapped positions that many times in one game, but it was a joy to see all the lads smiling and enjoying themselves.
It was the turn of Freddie to get onto the score sheet, a typical goal from my fox in the box, the ball broke lose in box after Elliott charged into the box before being tackled, the ball broke to Freddie who made the mistake of stabbing the ball home from close range.
The opposition then managed to pull a goal back, I felt to Jack. As it was a windy day and the ball was cleared up field and goal wards, Jack appeared to have everything covered but misjudged the flight of the ball and it drifted into our net over his head, slightly disappointing but nothing was going to change the result of the game, so we will put that down to bad luck and move on.
This goal against seemed to spur the boys on as we managed to add another two goals to the score line, with Liam scoring from close range, a deserved gaol for all of his hard work and effort during this game. And with a minute remaining Elliott managed to get his second of the game, deserved for the effort that he has been showing on the pitch recently.
So the Sharks have won again, and this makes the fifth win on the bounce, a great effort from a great set of lads that represent the Dunmow United Sharks.
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