Recap

THIS WAS A BATTLE OF WHO MADE THE MOST OUT OF THEIR MOMENTUM.

This match was an evenly contested battle between two promising teams in the South London League.

El Rafico implemented a high pressing game and were able to win the midfield battle early on while Footy Addicts were finding their feet with a newly formed squad. The pressure was rewarded with a Footy Addict mistake from their goalkeeper who passed into the El Rafico winger’s path and was able to convert an open goal opportunity.

A high pressing game does comes with risk as Footy Addicts were able to progress well when the ball was retrieved by going direct and their winger caused problems with his directness and pace. A lapse of concentration from El Rafico meant that Footy Addicts were able to convert from a throw in and quick thinking from their striker to assist a goal to make the game even at 1-1.

PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS…

The commitment from El Rafico engaging Footy Addicts higher up the pitch was for all to see as their defensive players were often seen in the opposition’s half looking to force mistakes and eventually were able to reap the rewards. El Rafico’s midfielder and winger consistently able to bring the ball from one half to the other and make advances into the final third. By half-time, El Rafico were enjoying a 3-1 lead for their efforts.

THE GAME TURNS ON ITS HEAD.

A combination of disorganisation from El Rafico and Footy Addict becoming more accustomed with one another led to a period of dominance eventually being rewarded by another goalkeeper mistake, but this time from El Rafico to bring the game to 3-2. El Rafico were unable to show their first half cohesion with the pressing game and were often found being overrun in midfield leading to numerous threatening opportunities for Footy Addicts.

A well-executed corner and header from Footy Addicts like you would see in an 11-a-side game levelled the game at 3-3 with many minutes still left to be played.

BIG MOMENTS REQUIRE BIG PLAYERS!

Substitutions from El Rafico and a tactical shift in formation bolstering the midfield with an extra person helped their cause as they were able to regain possession and build on their first half pressing game once again. El Rafico’s midfielder was often seen pressing from back to front and able to force mistakes by Footy Addicts.

El Rafico’s striker was able to drill home a long-range effort from a poor clearance by Footy Addicts which helped regain the lead but the best was still to come…

HEART AND DESIRE.

A highlight of El Rafico’s overall gameplay was their combativeness in the defence and midfield. At times, it could be argued that El Rafico went beyond what was acceptable but the referee is due credit as he controlled the match and never let teams become uncontrollable.

A freekick outside El Rafico’s box gave Footy Addict’s an opportunity to draw level but a poorly executed quick freekick gave the El Rafico winger space to advance into and as he skipped past one Footy Addict’s player, stepovers followed to hold the ball up for El Rafico’s midfielder to create the overlap. A perfectly weighted pass was met with a perfectly weighted finish as El Rafico put the game to bed with a 5-3 lead.

BOTH TEAMS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS SEASON!

Both teams have their weaknesses and limitations but if they can resolve some of their issues, it will be hard to stop either as they both possess good ball players all over the pitch and are a competitive bunch.

 

See above to view the highlights from the opening fixture.