Match report - Bideford Blues!!

It was a sunny and breezy day that greeted the undefeated Bideford team to King George V playing fields this morning for our league fixture with them. 

We had our full squad back and fit for selection and we also welcomed Sam Winton to the match team for the first time. It was great to see all the boys focused and ready to play during our warm up routines. 

This was a tough match boys and you all applied yourselves brilliantly to the task. 

We were unlucky I felt to go down 2-0 in the first ten minutes but their second goal especially was a skilful shot from their impressive number 3. 

They say that the spirit of a team is tested when the chips are down and it was great to see how we continued to press and push forward as well as defending heroically. 

This eventually bore fruit when Dan was able to get a snap shot away and take us into a half time break 2-1 down. 

Will A came off at half time after a strong defensive first half, as did Joe who again impressed on the left wing. 

The second half was also a great half of open football where Bideford went onto score another 4 goals. However it was spirited City team, you held your nerves and did not let heads down boys and this was great to see. After a few nice runs down the left wing Ryan scored a well-deserved floating goal, using the prevailing wind and showed nice skill. 

We also saw an impressive debut performance from Sam W who linked nicely down the left wing with Sam P who had moved into a left midfield position which worked really well and we really deserved our third goal finished by Sam P. 

So the final score of 6-3 to Bideford is a credit to us boys, they are a very strong team but we gave them a good game and it was great to hear their coach at the end say that it was their hardest match so far this season.  This was praise indeed. 

The parents Player of the Match went to Sam R who as well as leading from the front as captain had a strong match in goal, showing ever increasing confidence and skill. 

Well done Sam and well done for being such a good captain. The armband will be passed on at midweek training. 

Speaking of training, the focus from today that John and I would like to work on is defending from set piece plays and in match communication and organisation. 

Our run of tough matches continues and we welcome West Exe to KGV next Saturday. I hope we will be back on the larger pitch again and this should be another close match. 

Enjoy your weekend and see you on Wednesday 

Mark (ably assisted by Jack!!)