Epic F.C vs 10 Nil

This week saw both our teams, (Epic F.C and TheAwesome), play in games against very good opposition and come away with just one goal and a loss each. With TheaAwesome previously losing their match, Epic F.C felt a little better about their 8-0 loss to Sexii Skilz(fags).

As the players arrived, crucial news arrived that first-time striker Blaise Walker had fallen ill and was unable to play. Thankfully, loan player Conor Richards had arrived with Miguel Periera. The pair graciously agreed to play for the depleted team.

As the match began, Miguel looked hungry to score after a frustrating loss earlier in the evening. 10Nil seemed to be skilled, and played well during the first half. Epic F.C defended fairly well, with Joe Blay only being forced to make 3 saves, one a near post, one a front on stop and one a run-and-block, in the first half.

Epic F.C continued to attack, and the breakthrough finally came, with Miguel being set up by Jordan Edwards to smack home the first goal.

The celebrations were short lived however, as 10Nil immediately began to attack. Speedy runs kept the Epic F.C defense on their toes however Conrad Loo was passed the ball, only to be mauled by three 10Nil players. The defender did well to hold off the attacks, but eventually the ball spilt out and the 10Nil striker hit a close range shot into the net, just before half time.

The second half started, and Epic F.C looked to build on a fairly decent first half. 10Nil began to mark players, making it difficult to find passing avenues for the entire team. This led to more possession in the defensive half for Epic F.C, and hence limited scoring chances.

After 10 minutes of hard and tight football, 10Nil began to overrun Epic F.C. A slick pass caught Jordan Edwards off guard, and allowed a 10Nil player to shoot unopposed directly on the edge of the D.

The game continued in the fashion, with Joe Blay conceding a bad goal to make the score 3-1 before 10Nil won possession of a Conor Richards shot and ran the ball into a scoring position, where the ball was put into the net past a block from Matthew Wong and the dive from Joe Blay.

Epic F.C became more frustrated, with 10Nil marking up and stopping any sort of attacking play. The Epic F.C defense played fairly well, with the only shot in the last 7 minutes hitting the post due to strong pressure from Matthew Wong.


Notes;

Stamina - We seem to always play really well in the first half, and then fall down in the second. We need to perhaps have some sort of energy boost at half time to prepare for the second half. Put some sugar in your water bottles for a short burst in the second half. Maybe eat a banana before the match. We'll keep on the lookout for some other alternatives to this problem further in the week. (Maybe some energy drinks or something).

Movement - Although this team was marking up to prevent passes, we still need to work on moving around. Especially when we get a bit tired. There is no point in passing it back to me, when I then don't have anyone who is running forward to pass it to. I see it as a waste if I am forced to roll it out to someone in our own half.
In addition to just my throw outs, we just in general have to work on moving about to provide passing options.

1 - Miguels awesome volley on the run in the first half.
2 - Conrads 3 shots across the face of goals that were unlucky to not provide assists or goals.
3 - Matthews constant and fearless blocks. Awesome.
4 - Conors weird tick-tock thingy he did about a thousand times in a row to piss off that 10Nil player.
5 - Joe making a save, to then have the ball flick up and hit him in the face just as the half time siren sounded.
6 - Jordans strong attacking passing. Really good.

Thanks to Ashlyn, Emerson and Brittany for coming down and supporting us.
Also, Special thanks to Conor and Miguel, who played for us despite having previously played, from what I hear, a very tiring and physical match.