Remember the Day......
Today we welcomed back Dunmow Rhodes to School Lane, before the match report I wanted to mention how well the minute silence for Remembrance Day was observed. Parents and players of both teams, you should be very proud....
The sixty seconds of quiet was in complete contrast to the fifty minutes of action, the Lions were looking to continue their progress and play the passing football that has been developing at recent training sessions.
The improved effort, energy and team play was again evident from the first minute, the team shape has been good and little things seem to be falling into place. The game started really well for the Lions and there seemed to be an added drive, they passed and kept the ball well and created some half chances. Jack and Henry both looked calm at the back and with Freddie again playing with confidence it seemed a home goal may come.
It was worth waiting for, Henry's clearance fell to Ollie who immediately found Mike, Mike cut inside the covering defender and with the management team expecting the shot, he passed into the path of Sam who found the corner with a first time shot.
As the half went on both teams created chances and but for both keepers there would have been more goals. One great save from Freddie fell to the feet of a Dunmow player twenty yards out, who found the net.
With so much effort it was important to make substitutions as players tired, Tom, Isaac and Ossie came on and they were immediately involved in the action. Isaac made a last ditch clearance and used the ball well, whilst Ossie continues to chase down every ball and makes defenders hurry.
The Lions were busy in midfield and with Zac sitting out this week, Ben played slightly further forward than normal, he ran strongly with the ball. Two passes out of defence by man of the match Tom led to goals, the first finished by Ollie and the second by Ossie. Ossie's goal was all about persistence and showed that if you work hard, the goals will come.
As the time ticked by, Dunmow scored a really good individual goal and it set up a nervy finish. Both teams looked for the important goal and following a break away Sam scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
After the final whistle the boys deserved their ten boy bundle and knee slides, the attitude they have shown when losing has been great and the performance today has been coming for a few weeks.
Thanks today to both sets of players and parents for creating a really good atmosphere, to Pete for reffing and special mention to the visiting goalkeeper who lost a tooth during the action.
Finally, see you all at training as it seems to be working...... and hopefully as today has proved teamwork and effort will lead to results.
Enjoy....
Bumble and JB