A great team performance

Team Sheet : Coby, EthanR, EthanT, Isaac, James, Lewis, Mason, Oliver, Rui, Sam, Stanley, Thomas, Travis

Another full house for a lovely day out, away to White Notley Hornets, with most of the team looking forward to the hot dogs right from the outset!

Oliver, James, EthanR, EthanT, Stanley, Lewis and Thomas got us underway on a nice pitch.

The Hornets pushed early, straight from kick off, with the ball already showing it would bounce a lot and potentially be difficult to control. Their early break went harmlessly out for a goal kick.

The Iguanas then started to pick up the tempo. EthanT and Thomas linked up very well down the right wing, ultimately forcing a corner (of which the Iguanas would win plenty today). The Iguanas were unlucky not to connect fully with this first one, the final shot going wide.

Stanley then got into the action, also hooking up with EthanT from the opposite wing, showing nice composure to draw players in and then release EthanT for a run.

Despite the Iguanas breaking frequently into the Hornets’ half, all of them were also tracking back well to give great cover for our defensive pairing, and allowing the team to push forward again.

More strong forward play forced a couple more corners, and the Hornets were finding it difficult to clear their lines due to the energy being shown by the Iguanas, who were first to the ball more often than not, and strong in the tackle. Lewis forced a decent save from the Hornets’ keeper, after some good footwork on the edge of the box.

Each time the Hornets looked to be on the verge of making a break, EthanT and Stanley were back in support of EthanR and James, and the four of them made sure no danger would come of the break and we could push forwards.

Oliver was having one of his quietest games of the season. A break two thirds of the way through the half was readily collected by the Iguanas’ keeper. A lovely drop kick saw another break form, with EthanT pushing hard through the middle. The ball was switched out to the right for Lewis who took a neat first touch. Seeing the Hornets’ keeper a little off his line, Lewis hit a speculative shot at goal. The ball went high, which with the sun towards the Hornets’ end was a great idea. The Hornets’ keeper got his hands to the ball, but couldn’t stop its progress into the net.

James and EthanR were given a rest, Sam and Isaac coming on in their place. A short while later, EthanT, Thomas and Stanley were also rested, with Travis, Rui and Coby coming on in their place.

The switch of players didn’t see any reduction in them working together as a team, both defensively and in attack.

Mason came into the fray, giving Lewis a breather.

Mason was straight into the action, very nearly latching onto an Iguanas’ free kick, the ball just going wide. Travis also had a good shot nicely saved.

Rui made a great run on the ball, with good dribbling skills shown, and good awareness with a cross that the Hornets just managed to put out for a corner. The corner was cleared, but only as far as Coby who also made a fabulous run, crossing the ball just out. But the intent from our forward line was there in abundance.

A final corner for the Iguanas was collected by the Hornets, who will likely have been relieved that the half-time whistle blew with just one goal scored.

Half time.

Oliver, EthanR, James, Stanley, EthanT, Lewis and Thomas saw us under way once more.

Within minutes, the Iguanas were on the attack, giving the Hornets no respite. An early cross saw a Hornets defender handle the ball in the box, penalty to the Iguanas!

The ball was placed in an odd position, on the edge of the box. This may have thrown Lewis a little, the resulting “spot” kick going wide.

The Hornets restarted quickly, but again couldn’t find a path through the Iguanas’ lines. EthanR was reading the game particularly well, and always seemed to be in the right spot, standing players up and making solid tackles to stop attacks with fantastic calmness.

The Iguanas were pretty relentless, the ball rarely finding its way into their own half. Thomas was his usual quick self, running at players and causing them plenty of problems. A corner came from one crossed ball. The Hornets cleared, but Thomas was on the ball again, running into the right side of the box. This time he unleashed a shot at goal. The power had started to leave the ball, but an awkward bounce saw the ball spill through the Hornets’ keeper and over the line (a couple of Iguanas’ players were following the ball in to make sure, but the goal was in).

Thomas, Stanley, James and EthanT were substituted for Mason, Travis, Isaac and Rui. Unfortunately, Sam had been struggling with a stomach bug the whole match and would be unable to play a further part.

The Hornets continued to struggle to break into the Iguanas’ half. Even from set pieces like throw ins, the Iguanas were making sure they were marking nicely and getting to the ball quickly.

Coby came on to replace Lewis. And then shortly afterwards, a strong tackle giving him a bit of a knee injury, meant EthanR came off to be replaced by James. Isaac and James continued to hold a good defensive line, making tackles and playing calmly out from the back with some nice passing.

The Hornets started to find a bit more joy breaking into their opponent’s half as the second half started to draw to a close. Winning a corner from a strong Iguanas’ defensive clearance saw the ball bounce in the area a little, with the Iguanas struggling to clear. The Hornets managed to connect, but Oliver saved the ball well, holding it firmly and ensuring a clean sheet was there for the taking.

Clearing the ball to Rui, Rui made another very nice run. Looking up and taking his time, Rui had no passing options so brought the ball forwards and took a great shot. The keeper saved the shot, and Coby very, very nearly latched onto it, but it wasn’t to be as the final whistle blew.

5 games unbeaten now, and one of the Iguanas’ best team performances today, with plenty of players tracking back for defensive duties, decent passing and solid connecting with the ball. The team created some good chances again, if not quite as many as last week, and there’s still a need for a smidge more passing in the final parts of a move, but the way they all played for each other today was tremendous to see, and meant that the team didn’t need to score many to seal a solid victory.

We’ll need all of that team spirit and more next week, away to Wilvale Knights!

Iguana of the Match : Rui – strong, solid performance. Resolute in midfield and unlucky not to get on the score sheet.