Semi Final Information

Hello everyone, 

Such a positive training session tonight and what a great response compared with the disappointment we all felt on Saturday. 

Like I said I think the sign of any good sporting team is its ability to bounce back from a bad result and not go into meltdown. 

We have learnt some lessons as a team I think from Saturday. For me these are about our pre match preparation as well as the events on the pitch. I think I need to pay some attention to the pre match warm up routines to ensure that when the whistle blows you are all fully warmed up and ready to go straight from the whistle. 

During the match last week we recognised that we were not strong enough in midfield, that we were slow to put pressure on the oppositions players when they had possession and also that we had a tendency to bunch a bit too much. 

However the second half was a much better performance and I feel really positive as we move toward Saturday and our semi final Cup tie against Twyford Spartans. 

The match is being played at Amory Park, Tiverton EX16 6DQ and the kick off is at 10:30am. We know that they are a very capable team and it will be a very close game. 

John and I have given massive thought to how we approach this game and John especially has spent hours thinking about the right formations and team selections to give us the best chance. Sadly John is working on Saturday so I am keen that we do him proud. 

The starting team has a number of changes from our normal starting line up, this is deliberate and is aimed at giving us the best chance to win this one off game. It is important that as a team we ensure we are strong from the first to the last whistle and it is worth remembering that this game could potentially go to extra time and even penalties. 

So the starting team will be: 

Goal Keeper – Sam R 

Defence – Charlie, Josh and Ewan 

Midfield – Will P, Cameron ©, Dan and Sam P 

Striker – Tom 

Starting Subs: Alfie W, Will A, Joe and Ryan 

The key change here is bringing Cameron into a midfield position to try and give us a bit more control and physicality in central midfield and then look to use the wingers and the striker to pierce the Twyford defence. 

We have a rough plan on how to utilise the substitutes to ensure we have fresh legs and energy in the second half, but equally it is important to see how the game unfolds and make decisions accordingly. 

Can I ask that we meet at Amory Park around 9.30am ready to start our match preparations and warm up at 9:45am. 

This is a big game for us and whilst I am sure you will all have a few butterflies when you wake up on Saturday morning it is also important that we manage these nerves, have a big breakfast and come ready and prepared for a tough and potentially long match! It is also really important that we enjoy the occasion. 

Any problems, illnesses or injuries please keep me posted, but if not then I will look forward to seeing you all around 9.30am on Saturday. 

Come on the City!! 

Mark