It’s been a tough few weeks for The Hornets and we were due a big performance. They’ve been incredibly unlucky in recent weeks and the lads have found the promotion to the top-flight difficult and every game has been very close and we are all learning together.
This weekend was all about believing in each other. We had a chat before the game whilst looking around at the quality within our team. Every single one can compete at this level and we needed the boys to gel and get back that swagger & confidence that has been so crucial to the whole team's development. We talked about our opponents and the fact they are an academy side...... We then asked the kids if they want it more than us?
Albie was still recovering from injury so it seemed like a good idea to keep him on the bench and use him only if necessary. What do we know?!
Our Maestro got on early in the first-half and ran riot! He was everywhere. Competing for every ball and you’d have never known he was carrying an injury. Backed up by a much more offensive defence, Albie was getting chances left, right & centre. A first-half hat trick confirmed the goal-machine was back!
In any other world, this would guarantee you the Man of the Match but our team is built on a solid foundation and the boys at the back were absolutely sensational this weekend. We've switched things up in recent games to allow us to be more aggressive going forward but the slightest tweak at the back seemed to make the difference in this match.
Fenn was as solid as ever and deserves a special mention. This boy is getting tested more than ever now & Fenn has been fantastic.
Frankie & Oliver L took turns playing sweeper. It was more like 'Quarterback' if you watch American Football. These two have the vision and the most incredible ability to see a pass and create attacking opportunities. Fenn was loading them up quickly and it the missiles were being launched forward.
Oliver B & Kai both took on a more defensive midfield role and the pair of them worked their socks off. Hard graft, the dirty work, winning the ball back! This allowed our wing-backs to get forward and they didn't let us down.
Ronan in his familiar left wing position and was brilliant & Finners hugging that right hand side proved to be the difference.
These boys are rapid and the opposition were struggling to contain them. Finley has been badgering the coaches to 'Let him fly' for weeks now and he was incredible. Still chasing back & working hard but going forward he was unstoppable. Weaving & threading his way past the opponents then setting up chances for our attackers.
Ollie M & Charlie both seen so much more of the ball because of the new set-up and the pair of them looked much more comfortable in that last third of the pitch.
Second half our 'Quarterbacks' had the opportunity to move further up they both found the back of the net with sensational individual strikes. Albie wasn't finished there, he got another goal to cap-off an outstanding performance from the bench!
A tremendos display of attacking football. The boys grew in confidence and we will need to remind them that it was their hard work & belief in each other that was most impressive.
POTM - Went to Finley 🏆 for backing up everything he has been telling us he could do if we let him go more attacking.
💛🖤⚽
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