The sun may have come out for Bumble's birthday, but it had brought a fierce wind with it and playing football in these conditions was going to be tough....

 

Recent training sessions have concentrated on passing and movement, would the boys manage to transfer this onto the pitch? The answer after today has to be, YES they will. The biting wind was always going to make passing difficult but to their credit they tried to play football for the entire match.

 

With Ben soaking up the sunshine in Kent, the captains armband was passed to Ossie, he never stopped running and was always involved with his ability to beat players and his new found love of tackling. With Ossie starting the game as the defensive midfielder, Zac, Ollie and Sam were given the task of providing the attacking threat from midfield. They all battled well and some of the link up play was good and a number of one touch moves led to half chances, requiring great saves from the Swifts keeper.

 

The defensive partnership of Tom and Henry was very strong, both continue to improve in both decision making and distribution every week and Freddie continues to amaze with a consistent level of performance in goal. On the stroke of half time the home side took the lead with a close range finish following a great save.

 

The second half began with the Lions kicking up hill and into the wind, Jack and Mike had come on and the shape of the team remained good, whilst the effort and energy remained excellent throughout the half. Following the first half battle the game had opened up with chances being created and on days like this it is about who takes them. There were near misses, last ditch tackles and good saves at both ends, but ultimately it was the Swifts who found the net.

 

Special mention goes to Jack for a man of the match performance, but I'm not sure whether he enjoyed the donut more than the trophy! and to Mike for being able to control the ball by using his head and both ankles at the same time, not sure where he learned it but it certainly wasn't at training!

 

Well done to all the boys today for keeping going in the difficult conditions and staying together as a team. It feels as though there is a renewed enjoyment and if we continue to try and play good passing football we will get the results the effort deserves.

 

See you at training.

 

Bumble and JB.