Date | 12 February 2022 |
---|---|
Team | Men's 2nd Team |
Opposition | Old Wulfrunians 4ths |
Fixture | Home |
Venue | Small Heath Leisure Centre |
Start time | 14:30 |
Result | W 3 - 2 |
Time played | |
Scorers | |
Match Report | CoBHC Second team 3 V 2 Old Wulfs 4s Goalscorers:- Anthony Truelove, Ben Matthews and Robin Stanley For this game the home team were short of Umpires, so the team captain stood in to assist Jon in the umpire duties. Unfortunately, his team configuration plans got misinterpreted and the team played a 4 4 2 formation. This initial flat back four was disastrous as all the regular formations up to now we’re 3 at the back with a sweeper. The shape was inviting the visitors to attack a deep minded style of play. Old Wulfs took the invitation and pressed high and the home team had to defend for long periods. The only attacking options for CoBHC came from soaking up pressure, and then attacking on the break. The midfield for the first time this season didn’t have a guiding hand of a First team player supporting them. The whole team worked hard but for twenty minutes panicked in possession and gave the ball away cheaply. The work rate was exceptional from every player, but the team’s shape was disjointed. Eventually things started to calm down and CoBHC got better attacking options using the wide players. Anthony Truelove picked up the first goal when Stan shot at goal towards the far post, it was going narrowly wide so Anthony tucked it away for the first goal of the match, against the run of play. Again, against the run of play, Ben found himself open for a pass by Lindani and he received the ball mid “D”, turned and shot. 2-0 up at half time for the home team as they shuffled the formation to pose a sterner test for Old Wulfs. A long talk at half time gave the team a boost and the shape was better in the second half. Unfortunately, the visitors got two goals within five minutes of each other fifteen minutes into the half, making it all square with twenty minutes to go. The game at this point was very evenly matched and either team could have got the victory. The defence of CoBHC guided by Ian stood firm, just like they have all season, (having the lowest goals conceded, in this division.) From this spring board they got some good chances testing the visitor’s keeper. Eventually a clearance from Ian found Sean who deftly guided the ball to Stan who drove into the “D” and blasted it into the goal. With ten minutes left to play the visitors tried hard to get a leveller but luckily their shots went wide. This game was one of the sternest tests this season. But it again proved how resolute and stubborn the City of Birmingham HC Men’s 2s are in every department, not just the defence. The home team had to work hard to get anything from this game as the formation was out of sorts for twenty minutes against a dogged Old Wulfs squad full of experienced old hands. The debrief at the end was like from a game lost, so much needed improvement for player development, but the team got all three points. Ben and Ian both got joint man of the match. No match next week. A much-needed break over half term, for the hard working Second team, then back to the grindstone on the 26th February against Ludlow. |
Name | Squad number | Position | Scored | Assists | Cards |
---|