07 December 08 - 17:51Sunday 7th December'08: Broad Oak Warriors 0 Jarvis Brook 4 'So Many Missed Chances...'
A very frustrating game for the lads this week, as without our main striker Max Stapley we counted up six clear-cut chances right in front of goal - and missed the lot! Incredible really, and we were made to pay for it with our opponents only really having 4 chances of their own - and they took them. Ryan Marston in goal only had two saves to make all game - one being a fabulous one handed high parry - the only other time he touched the ball was to fetch it out the net - unbelievable really. So we missed you Max - get well soon, as this was only the second game we haven't scored in all season - and we should have absolutely buried them.
The main strength we had this week was how solid we were down the spine of the team. Ben Thetford had a particularly good game in attack, running at their back 4 in the first half - crossing balls in that we failed to hit on target. Daniel Little also did well again in the centre of midfield - always involved in some of our fantastic passing play that we did throughout the game on a difficult surface - this aspect was really pleasing and is coming from our training sessions i'm sure. In the centre of our defence both Woodie and Ben Skinner were outstanding today - marking tight and putting in tackle after tackle, and Ryan in goal also did what little he had to do well. Finally, our last line of defence - our sweeper James Maguire, was also magnificent - mopping up countless attacks with some thunderous tackles that took both player and ball off the pitch time after time - superb stuff James for someone who's been so ill this week! Our weakness this week were our flanks, where both of their wide players scored their goals from - and where we need to tighten up and also lose the countless foul throws! This, plus our shooting from crosses - will be Tuesdays training topics.
Next week sees our final match of 2008 - our rearranged cup match against Rusthall at home next Sunday, so fingers crossed for a dry week. On Tuesday I will be issuing the boys with their new Squad Rainjackets which they MUST wear without fail each matchday as our sponsors will want maximum coverage, and I want us to look the biz! Please make sure the boys get rid of their old jackets as it's too easy for them to put the wrong one on, and give them back to me if they like and I will arrange to send them abroad to kids who need them.
That's it - a great effort this week from the boys with some terrific performances and pass & move, that bodes well for the rest of the season. See you next Tuesday at training!......
Tim, Joe and Paul
Tim Brown -
17 November 08 - 14:11Sunday 16th November '08: A gutsy effort for little reward...
This week saw us return to Rotherfield JFC, who are currently lying in fourth place in the table behind the main three and going well. Last month we played them, putting in our only really poor performance of the season and losing 9-0, so the lads were very keen like me to put this right - which they did with the amount of effort most of them got through, but sadly the score didn't reflect the performance, losing 8-1. This was especially true when you consider we were 5-0 down at half-time, but in reverting to Plan B with a sweeper and a full 11 of best tacklers starting the second half, then we certainly dominated the opening 20 mins, pulling a goal back and hitting several shots before falling away in the final few moments of the game on the counter attack. To be 1-1 for most of the second half was very encouraging and has given me food for thought as to our strongest line-up once Jimmy, Andrew and Peter return next week. We also lost Ben Skinner to injury for most of the second period too, which was a loss as he was one of the few who showed how to clear a ball effectively. I came away with several thoughts on some of our players who were given their chance to shine this week because of our absences. Some seized their chance well - others didn't. We know that we simply can't seem to play without our sweeper system which is a pity - James Maguire having a fine second half at the back, and coming through into midfield when the space was in ront of him to go on a run. James Woodroofe also gave 120% for the team this week, and fought and fought for every ball, winning several key headers too, so well played Woodie. I thought Mat Jarvis did a very sound job when he came on, and Daniel was a major plus point for us over the last two matches with some of the class play I am looking for from one more addition I want up front. Ryan Marston had another very solid performance in very wet conditions again - amazing for someone still so new to the job, but his handling was faultless and his 'one on one' saves were a lesson in perfection - pouncing on the ball every time they tried to beat him.
The draw for round three of the cup is now out - we play Rusthall at home in two weeks, who are struggling in the league above us, so I am looking forward to trying to gain a shock if we can! As for next Sunday we are at home again, playing Jarvis Brook who we previously lost 5-3 to having been 2-0 up at half-time. We have some good new additions to the squad since then, and this is a game I really want us to gain some points from as I can understand the four teams at the top are a challenge, but I firmly believe that if we play our full strength team in our 5-3-2 formation from the start, and we put in performances like we did against Cranbrook, Glenco and Tonbridge then we can gain fifth place. The boys know it - now we've got to SHOW it, starting on Sunday.
Tim Brown - Head Coach
Tim Brown -
09 November 08 - 09:38Sunday 9th November'08: Broad Oak Warriors 1 Cranbrook Town 7 - A Tale of Two Halves...
An early pitch inspection at 8am saw this match go ahead under blue skies, and barring the torrential shower for 10 minutes halfway through the game, then the pitch would not have cut up as bad as it did...
Cranbrook Town - current league leaders - were our visitors today, coming off the back of several huge wins in this division. We set ourselves up as we did against Glenco, with two lines of four with a sweeper, and one up front. This again worked very well for the first half, for despite going a goal down in the first few minutes we reamined strong - outpassing them in phases - and I thought we passed and moved the ball around alot better than we have done all season on an extremely heavy pitch. (I'm going to flood it with water every week from now on!) The boys fought and fought like the true Warriors they are, and they were duly rewarded when we won a free kick just outside the box. With a wall in the way some of our set piece training was put to good use. Jimmy set himself, Peter and Max up for our 'Tap, Stop & Shot' move which saw Max's piledriver too much for the opposition, and it fell into the net for a well worked goal! A TOP SHOT MAXXIE!! So at half-time we were all ecstatic with the scoreline being level, but reminding the boys that they would come out harder for the second half.
This indeed happened, and with the pitch getting heavier and the boys more and more tired, the marking lost it's original tightness and their flair players took hold of the game. Three quick goals went in just after the break, and then four more in the final 15 minutes flattered the scoreline. Man of the match was Ryan Angear this week for some superb dribbling and tackling - classic 'Pocket Rocket' stuff Ryan , so really well done! Daniel Little had a quality debut as well, using the ball effectively, and spreading play around the pitch with some long passes that stretched Cranbrook at times. James Maguire also stood out for me as well this week - mopping up countless attacks that tried to come through - but this week adding alot more offensive play in coming through on long punchy dribbles through the opposition lines - quality play Jamesey! Finally, Callum Brown also played a blinder as well - not only winning several big challenges in the middle of the midfield but also distributing the ball well with countless passes.
Next up is the trip to Hastings Utd on Saturday afternoon - I've given you all a letter, followed by Rotherfield away the day after - kick-off 2pm. We played them earlier in the season and gave our worst performance by a country mile - losing 9-0. Time to put things right with a performance like todays I feel.....
Tim Brown, Head Coach
Tim Brown -
03 November 08 - 01:21Sunday 2nd November 08: Tonbridge Juniors 2 Broad Oak Warriors 5
A cup game this week, against fellow Division C team Tonbridge Juniors, and so as we hadn't yet played each other in the league I took the opportunity to blood some new players and try out a new formation before we turn our attentions back to the league next week.
With several players either ill or on half term hols, it gave me the opportunity to take a look at newcomer George Basterfield in the second half, and he played very well for his first game with us - nice one George! Unfortunately another bright talent Daniel Little was away this week - we'll watch him again at training on Tuesday, so instead for the first time this season I brought in an U11 player (as a one off) I know very well - Joe Pickering - who had a superb match and bagged two goals along the way - well played Joe, a great performance! As for our formation, I wanted to see how we would fare if we played alot narrower, rather than our usual two wide wingers which stretches our midfield three too much sometimes and leaves too much for Peter to do in the middle by himself. So as it was a cup game I removed our sweeper for the first time this season, played 4 in defence, three narrow central midfielders in Ryan Angear and James Maguire either side of Peter, then Joe Pickering in an advanced role in the hole - roving behind our front pairing of Josh and Jimmy. The risk was always that our flanks were open to attack, but this was felt by Joe, Paul and I to be much easier to deal with than opposition coming through the middle. To help counter this, our fullbacks Callum and Andrew played as attacking wingbacks and pushed their markers back towards their own goal - Callum getting in some excellent crosses and winning some corners, and Andrew winning some important possession for us in their box and letting rip with his rocket left foot to bag a goal of his own as well - top stuff Andy - a great game this week!
Having gone 3-0 up by half-time, we got slack and only great keeping by Ryan kept us to 3-2, before we reverted to 4-4-2 to stabilise the game. Some fresh speed in using Mat Jarvis' versatility & energy, and Ben Thetford up front, saw us move to an excellent 5-2 win that the boys thoroughly deserved - including two quality goals by Jimmy who had his best game of the season I felt - bringing in players around him, some great control and deft touches too. Our marking was reasonably tight today - some occasional blips that normally our sweeper would have dealt with, but overall I thought our passing in patches was superb, and our workrate was spot on.
Training as always on Tuesday, in preparation for a very difficult game against league leaders Cranbrook Town next Sunday at home - 10.30am kick-off. This team are the second of the three who clearly shouldn't be in our league, so we will almost certainly play the same strategies we used against Glenco. Those coming back will have to impress on Tuesday eve as I now have a nice selection headache to pick my 14, so see you then!
Tim Brown, Head Coach
Tim Brown -
26 October 08 - 10:01Sunday 26th October 08: Training is cancelled
Good morning all - trust we've all put our clocks back an hour?!! In view of the heavy rain training is cancelled this morning - see you as normal on Tuesday evening with your final chance to hand me your YES OR NO to the IOW Tour slips. Also, do keep the afternoon of Sat 15th November free for our next social event - more details on Tuesday!
Many thanks all,
Tim Brown, Head Coach - Broad Oak Warriors U12's.
Tim Brown -
19 October 08 - 23:59Sunday 19th October'08: B.Oak Warriors 1 Glenco 6 - Performance of the Season!
Phew - what a match! Title favourites Glenco from Bexhill were our visitors this morning - currently sweeping everyone aside this season with some very big scores, in what is their first season in the Crowborough league. Clearly a team that requires moving up a few divisions, we took the realistic view that come the end of the season there could very well be several sides on the same points - and that goal difference will be important to us. Most of Glenco's opposition have caved in badly after a couple of goals, so our pre-match objective was not to have any more than a five goal score - which we just about achieved with a 6-1 defeat! What I didn't want to see was a complete cave in after a couple of goals, but to keep fighting to protect our goal difference as much as possible, and the boys really rose to this challenge superbly with a superb gutsy performance.
We rested our flair players and picked a team of tough tacklers - playing a 5-4-1 formation that sat deep to deny space behind us for their super quick striker we had heard about. James Woodroofe was tasked with man-marking this threat - with James Maguire sweeping up all of his occasional breakthroughs superbly. Our midfield four were renamed as our second defensive line - with Ryan Angear and Jimmy acting as second full-backs, with Peter and Callum as second centre-halves. Sitting deeper and holding two lines of defence frustrated Glenco for long periods of the game, and indeed we actually played some of our best pass and move on the counter - particularly by Andrew, Ryan A. and Max on the left. Max Held the ball up brilliantly up front, the boys marked up tight for virtually the whole game, and it was only through some very messy goals that we conceded three each half. Man of the match was very clear - Ryan Marston in goal saved us time and time again with some great stops - some very brave, and he pulled off a tremendous penalty save to his left as well, from a well taken strike. Most impressive was his fantastic goalkicks from hand which were perfect, and that despite lots of frustrated long range shots coming in he read each one superbly and never spilt one - your handling today Ryan was immaculate! James Maguire had a brilliant game this week as well - mopping up attack after attack that tried to get through, and James Woodroofe stuck to his job & denied their fast guy any runs and shots all game, so I was particularly pleased to see Woodie score for us from a weak Glenco clearance - top guy!
But the overall feeling by the boys and team management was one of huge pride and a real buzz amongst the squad when they were applauded off by their supporters - they really did play like Warriors today, and their coach said that the score flattered them. Even the referee stopped the game towards the end to ask both captains to calm their teammates down, as tackles were really flying in from all angles - superb attitude. If only we had played as tight a game and with the same intensity in the past month, then we would have kept our leads in the games we've recently lost.
As I write this on Sunday evening we have no game next week in view of half-term, however there is a slight chance our recently cancelled game might be rescheduled, so I will let you know on Tuesday evening. IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE LET ME HAVE YOUR YES/NO SLIPS FOR THE CLUB IOW TOUR - many thanks!
Tim Brown, Head Coach.
Tim Brown -
16 October 08 - 18:57Sunday 12th October 08: Langton Green 4 B.Oak Warriors 2 - Another Win thrown away...
Another Sunday afternoon kick-off - another two goal lead - another match there for the taking but lost in another second half collapse.
A much better performance by the boys this week - especially in the first half, when some great interchange passing through the Langton Green defence saw both Max Stapley and Peter Lane grab a goal each. The marking by the defence was very tight, the boys pushed up the pitch to squeeze the game into the oppositions half at every single opportunity, and when they did get through, either James Maguire or Ryan in goal dealt with most attacks comfortably.
At half time we talked about the need to keep doing the same workrate and tactics - push up high, stay tight to our players in defence, and use our pace on the wings to then cross balls into Max and Jimmy up front. However, instead we undid all of our impressive play by not pushing up high enough, not being able to clear the ball effectively from our penalty box, loose marking and letting Langton have time and space in front of our defenders. Ultimately the opposition gained confidence from their first soft goal, we lost our shape and leaked in 3 more goals to a side who we should have trounced in the first 30 minutes - and kept it that way. Peter Lanedeserves special praise as our best player on the day, in having scored a goal, tackled like a trojan and having run box to box ALL game from central midfield.
We still need more players, and the boys know that every time someone new makes the starting 14 it means that one of them will find themselves playing alot less football. That's competitive football for you at this age. With us still scoring goals, and still showing periods of major improvement in every game (bar the Rotherfield match) we just need a couple of quality additions to the backbone of our side to then see us pick up more points. This Sunday sees a 10.30am kick-off at home to Glenco from Bexhill - the toughest team in the division, who are coming off the back of an impressive 5-0 thrashing of league leaders Cranbrook Town, so I have deliberately picked a team with fight rather than flair for the game. See you all at 9.45am at Tower Rec!
Tim Brown
Head Coach
Tim Brown -
05 October 08 - 10:45Sunday 5th October - GAME OFF!!
Hi all - game off today - waterlogged pitch, so see you at training on Tuesday evening, and our next game away at Langton Green Hammers in a weeks time.
Cheers all,
Tim.
Tim Brown -