Central City 5-1 Central United

Positives: Good team spirit and kept going until the end, good spells of passing

Areas to focus on:  Closing down and getting challenges in

Man of the match: Zac Burnard - worked tirelessly for the team

Worth a mention: Zak Milling - excellent attacking play and delivered some great balls into the box

Managers comments:  Conceding two early goals against a good City side gave us a real uphill battle but I was really pleased with the way you all stuck together and kept going until the end.  When we scored to make it 3-1 it looked like we might get back into it and went close on a couple of occasions, which would have pegged them back to 3-2 with all to play for but in chasing the game and committing more players forward we ended up conceding 2 late goals which I felt made it a harsh scoreline.  

We go again tomorrow evening at West Exe, 6.30pm KO, so 6pm meet this time. 

See you then!

Jon

6.15pm KO

Hi all

Sorry but I got the KO time wrong for tomorrow, it's 6.15pm not 6.30pm, so can we meet at 5.45pm please.   

Jon 

Colyton Redsocks 2-5 Central United

Positives: An important win, scored 5 goals, better attitude 

Areas to focus on:  Clearing our lines, a bit slow getting challenges in 

Man of the match: Zak Milling - was superb playing as a second striker scoring an absolutely fantastic hat-trick

Worth a mention: Asher - didn't put a foot wrong and was brilliant all game both defending and going forward with the ball, Marcus - scored 2 excellent goals and linked up really well with Zak providing 2 assists. 

Managers comments:  Focus and attitude from the warm up was much improved and you took that into the game with a strong positive start.  Despite a few wobbly moments we controlled the game and run out comfortable winners, so a big well done for such a good response to a recent poor run of form.  

Tomorrow's game against Central City is 6.30pm KO so please be there for 6pm.  Same times for Wednesday's game against West Exe, which is at Cowick Barton Playing Fields, EX2 9EE.

Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

Jon

Saturday

Ok boys......I'll brush over Tuesday nights game as no point dwelling on it; instead lets focus on winning our next game on Saturday against Colyton Redsocks.  KO is at the slightly earlier time of 10:15am so that we have a referee.

The address is Chantry Playing Field, Colyton, EX24 6DT.  Can you try and be there as close to 9.45am as possible so we can do our stretches/warm up together please. 

Look forward to seeing you all then.

Jon

Copplestone v Central United

Hi all

We are away to Copplestone on Tuesday evening, 6.30pm KO (slightly earlier if possible). My car is full but other parents have offered lifts so let me know if you need me to arrange this for you.

Following this game we have a busy schedule starting with Colyton Redsocks away on Saturday, Central City on Monday 25th April and then West Exe away on Wednesday 27th. We don't have a fixture on 30th April due to the Exmoor Challenge.

A reminder re Bubble Football on Sunday 24th April at KGV https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-RWy4Ejo0cdqhSg3fuj60wuSDXLvt_SyY7-WwF5eWZ4/edit?usp=sharing

I have brought forward tomorrow's training to 5.45pm, as this fits in better for Luke - 7pm finish.  Due to a long session yesterday and a game on Tuesday (also many of you on Exmoor all day today) it will be a very light session, primarily focusing on formation and tactics.

Jon

Twyford Spartans 2-0 Central United

Positives: Played some good football in the second half

Areas to focus on:  Creating more chances, fitness, being more physical, still far too quiet

Man of the match: Luke - defended really solidly, 100% commitment and carried the ball well out of defence

Worth a mention: George - once again gave his absolute all right to the end and made some great tackles, Francis - was at the heart of most of our passing moves and showed some real quality on the ball

Managers comments:  Once again we were so slow out of the blocks and fortunate to be level at half time.  Following the changes there was a big improvement and we finally started to string some good passes together but unfortunately no end product.  

The free kick for their first goal was very harshly given in my view and fortuitously found a way through everyone to end up in the back of the net.  Heads dropped a bit after that and Twyford soon took advantage getting another from close range to wrap up the points.  

I think the lack of football recently has really affected us both in terms of fitness and sharpness and now confidence is a bit shot too but you will recall a poor run of form after Christmas last year and then we went on a brilliant run to finish the season and see no reason why we can't repeat this again.  

We have training Saturday morning at KGV, 9.30am to 11am and then again Monday 6.30pm to 7.30pm with a game away to Copplestone on Tuesday evening, 6.30pm KO.  Let me know if you need a lift.

Jon

Tomorrow

I have a few spaces free if anyone needs a lift tomorrow, just pop me a text! 

Central United 0-3 St Martins

Positives:  When 3-0 down we could have completely folded but we actually improved greatly and were probably the better team in the last 25 minutes.   

Areas to focus on:  Commitment, being first to the ball, energy, more vocal 

Man of the match: George - worked hard to try and lift the team and changed things when moved to midfield.  

Worth a mention: Ollie pulled off some great saves to keep us level in the first half, Joseph put in an improved performance at fullback.

Manager's comments: The first half performance was probably as poor as I've seen us this season lacking in all areas but most concerning was effort.  We were very fortunate to go into half-time level as St Martins completely dominated the game up to this point and continued to do so in the second half when they got a couple of goals in quick succession, which was no more than they deserved.  I think the nature of their goals said it all which came from them being generally more switched on and showing more urgency in their play.

It's a shame it took being 2-0 down before we started stringing some passes together and it's no coincidence that this led to much more possession and chances that could have got us back in the game.

We really can't afford to take so long to get going and need to show the right attitude from the start, in fact before the start in the pre-match warm up during which I can often tell what sort of performance I'm going to get out of you - yesterday all were very quiet reflecting the low energy and passion shown in the game.

Hopefully, being a 6.30pm KO tomorrow everyone will be wide awake and raring to go from the off.  The game is against Twyford Spartans and they play at the following address:

Bickleigh Recreation Ground, 
Happy Meadow
Bickleigh
EX16 8RJ

Can we meet there as close to 6pm as possible please.  My satnav indicates that it takes about 30 minutes to get there without hitting traffic, so I expect it will be a bit more than this tomorrow.

Jon

Central United V St Martins

Saturday's game is against St Martins at home, KO 10.30am.  Can we meet at 10am please.

See you then!
Jon  

Training tomorrow

Hi all

Training tomorrow is at KGV, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, which Luke will be taking as I'm off to Dublin for a few days.  Paul Land has kindly offered to stay so there is an adult present.  

Our next game is Saturday against St Martins at KGV. 

Jon

Tomorrow

A quick reminder that I have booked Wonford Sports Hall tomorrow morning, 10am to 11am.  

The cost of hire is £37.50, so depending on numbers the cost will be between £2.50 and £3 each.  

Hope to you see there!
      Jon