It all clicks together!

Team Sheet : Cole; Ethan; Fearne; Freya; Isaac; Jayden; Lewis; Maddison; Oliver; Sierra; Thomas; Zach

Back in the swing of things now, and what a glorious day on all fronts. The sun was shining and it wasn’t even that cold for a relatively early start.

We last played Great Notley Falcons in October on a similarly lovely day, and a decent performance ended with an unlucky loss. With a number of our Iguanas having school mates in the Falcons, this contest was going to be intense.

The Falcons got the game under way and had an early push into the Iguanas’ half, testing the defence early but Sierra and Zach had the move covered. Iguanas pushed back with some nice open runs, pushing the Falcons into their own half.

Iguanas were pressing really well with some nice passing and footwork, keeping the Falcons pressed into their own half for the first 5-10mins. Then an Iguanas goal mouth scramble was cleared well by Oliver, which released the Iguanas up the field forcing a corner.

A well drilled formation from the Iguanas in the opposition penalty area was fed the ball from a powerful corner by Cole, and Zach was the first player onto it. Great instincts and a powerful shot from Zach saw the Iguanas take the lead. 6mths ago an unlucky goal mouth scramble led to a loss, but being better drilled now in both defence and attack, the plucky team converted an opposition attack into a goal to take the lead.

The team weren’t stopping there though. Continued press had the Falcons on the back foot for long spells throughout this half with every single Iguanas’ player knowing their job and doing it well. Maddison was causing the Falcons some problems up the right wing. A heavy foul from one of the Falcons demonstrated their concern but Maddison picked herself up quickly and got stuck back into the action.

A Falcons break left us a little exposed at the back but Sierra tracked back really well forcing the Falcons out for a corner. Good anticipation from Oliver then saw the threat snuffed out.

Jayden, Freya and Fearne came on for Zach, Cole and Thomas to give them a break. This didn’t change the mode of the game, the Iguanas continuing to press hard and unlucky not to add a second. Sierra continued to show solid strength at the back.

Isaac and Ethan came on to give Sierra and Maddison a rest from their defensive duties.

A couple of Falcons corners were again dealt with well by the Iguanas. A theme for the whole game was how well organised the Iguanas were, with much improved decision making on when to play the ball out (lovely footwork and skill from Jayden) and when to clear the lines or break up the wings from opposition pressure (some nice displays from Isaac).

Lewis came off for a breather, replaced by Cole.

Some fabulous passing up the left saw Cole release Jayden who controlled the ball well and was massively unlucky not to add a second goal, the ball just (literally just!) creeping outside the right post.

The pressure on the Falcons was pretty relentless, with continued good work up the wings by Fearne and Freya, both girls being a real handful for the Falcons’ defenders who didn’t really know how to stop them. Then, after sustained pressure Jayden was through on goal again and this time there was no missing, Jayden very keen to add to last week’s hat trick with a very nicely taken goal to double the lead.

The half-time whistle blew shortly afterwards.

Oliver, Isaac, Ethan, Zach, Thomas, Jayden and Lewis got the second half under way.

The Falcons put the Iguanas under some early pressure when the game recommenced. Their strongest move of the game saw the ball slotted away from our two defenders leaving Oliver two on one. He rushed into action choosing the right player to advance against, but the ball just slipped under him. His approach may have just stopped the Falcons’ striker getting his shot away properly and it hit the post. Oliver showed his cat like reactions, getting up after the challenge and pouncing on the ball to stop the attack.

The Falcons continued piling on pressure for the next 10mins but as this continued, Ethan and Isaac got more and more into the game with Oliver behind them, and the Falcons’ attacks came to nothing. Even corners, often our Achille’s heal last season were very well drilled and presented little threat or nervous moments for anxiously watching fans.

Good distribution from the back then had the Falcons on the back foot once more. At which point Cole came on to give Jayden a break.

Great passing, this time down the centre saw a massive break for the Iguanas with several shots on goal from Cole and particularly Lewis who had a thumping shot blocked by a Falcons defender (who will no doubt be feeling it all afternoon). Unfortunately, there was no way through for a third goal, but the Iguanas showed they weren’t letting up.

A couple of free kicks both ways showed spirit and determination from both sides so there was no time to rest. Another well distributed ball from the back saw an Iguanas’ cross whipped in that Lewis was just a little too far away from to connect with properly. Then a Falcons’ free kick eased the pressure on their half.

Fearne came on for Lewis, keeping energy levels high.

Thomas was making solid runs all over the pitch, chasing down balls and players and causing the Falcons issues in both attack and defence.
Zach showed some great strength in midfield, battling with the Falcons players and allowing the Iguanas to break.

Sierra, Maddison and Freya came back into the game, relieving Ethan, Isaac and Thomas.

Freya showed super human strength and great skill up the right and into the Falcons’ box, the ball just going out of play after a tough challenge from the final Falcons’ defender.

Jayden now came back onto the pitch in place of Zach.

The clock was ticking down but still the Iguanas piled on the pressure. A number of corners for the Iguanas showed a lot of promise, but the Falcons defended them well whilst never properly snuffing out the pressure altogether. Freya again showed excellent strength and skill, this time down the left. The ball was released to Jayden and then Cole but it just escaped that final touch.

The Iguanas again played the ball brilliantly through the centre, Jayden slipping two Falcons defenders to be free on goal, only to be brought down by a chasing Falcons defender. The incident definitely looked to be inside the box from this reporter’s vantage point, but a free kick was awarded from just outside. Jayden struck it really well, but the Falcons managed a headed clearance.

The final whistle didn’t feel like it would ever come (I think the ref’ was enjoying the game!). The Iguanas continued to press, then we had a final break from the Falcons. A strongly hit cross from the right was tracked by Oliver and escaped all the Falcons attackers to go out, just in time for the final whistle to finally blow.

What a result! The score was great and thoroughly deserved by our spirited and increasingly talented Iguanas. But the biggest take away was how well every single player performed. They all knew their jobs and performed them brilliantly. This was probably the most complete performance by the team thus far - finding space on the pitch, making great passes and runs, knowing when to clear from the back and when to pass out, and with plenty of shots on goal with some lovely finishing. A performance to be very proud.

Iguana of the Match : Thomas – great running and passing of the ball with solid work down the wings. Built on a top training performance too.