25 Feb'24 Away vs Knollmead

Sunday 25th February 2024
Knollmead  vs Ewell Vets 

4 -1 Loss

Team: Phil, JB, Del, James M, Matt R, Mike, Sean, Manny, Craig, Steve G, Andy 

Subs: Steve S, Ben S, Vik

Match report author: JB

The pre-match gathering wasn't the cheeriest affair - everyone I encountered had a story about what a good side Knollmead were, and how they weren't looking forward to the game. But still, the heroes of Ewell Vets turned up for a hard game all the same - we certainly deserve some sort of award for determination for continuing to rock up each Sunday. 

With a strong squad we put out a good starting 11, and had strength on the bench. And despite our pessimism pre-match and frankly our lack of quality in the opening 10 minutes - it was a fairly even game. They are a good side - they pass the ball well, and move it about from side to side to open up different angles and options. But we matched them in the opening stages, although neither team really threatened. With Sean, Manny and Matt "Hollywood Pass" R in midfield we had a very mobile midfield and there was some good link up play with Andy holding the ball up front. Sean managed a couple of decent shots, but the keeper was alive to them. 

Their first goal came from a ball over the top to the left, one of their midfielders put a cross in (although I'm sure he'd say it was a shot) and it was so far in front of their attackers it deceived everyone and went inside the far post. A lucky goal, but heads didn't drop. 

The second goal came shortly after. Another big diagonal ball across the pitch, over the head of the defence to their big tall midfielder who'd joined the attack. He headed it square perfectly to the other player in the box, whom it cannoned off and looped majestically into the top corner. Unfortunately the free player in question was me. Another lucky goal. If their man had been better at heading, he'd have missed. 

The third goal came just before half time - another ball across the defence (to the right this time). Del got himself ahead of the attacker, but there wasn't anything he could do given the pace of the ball and it cannoned off him into the goal. 

Half time: 0-3 down. 

Some fresh subs and a (motivational?) team talk later, and a new team walked onto the field. We pushed hard, and closed down much more effectively, giving them less time on the ball. With Vik and Craig in the wing back roles, they were able to push forward and cause some havoc when we got the ball out to the them. But most of the time we played the ball too centrally and got bogged down. 

15 mins or so into the half, Vik broke free on the left came inside, rounded the keeper and put the ball in the net from a tight angle. 2 games, 2 goals. Can someone please lock him in their car boot and bring him every sunday? He had another chance later in the half, but his cross/pass was intercepted with a lovely tackle. But the 2nd half was ours - Manny had a good shot on goal, and the keeper denied several other chances. 

The final goal came from a free kick about 35 yards out. It bounced just in front of the keeper, hit a bit of a divot, and into the back of the net. Not what we deserved, but luck hadn't exactly been on our side today. Defensively I thought we were good today (ironic given we shipped 4 goals) - and towards the end of the match we even managed to catch a player offside despite having the wonkiest back line I've ever seen (we need to work on our understanding of a "straight line"). And offensively, we created some good play, but still lacking the final ball/touch.

Shout outs to the midfield for covering a lot of ground, James for his usual great murder tackle (and then threatening to murder me because I played someone onside), and our excellent travelling support. 

1-1 second half. 

4-1 L overall.