Recap

The Local Derby!

A match between brothers brought up an absolute classic in the 7 a side South London League. Pana FC off the back of their first win against SRC, faced El Rafico who suffered a heavy defeat by top of the table, Reggae Boyz, so it was an interesting spectacle before kick off to see how each team will fare.

Will Pana FC be brewing confidence or let their first win breed complacency?

Would El Rafico go away from their press first, ask questions later approach or stick to their guns?

From the first minute, El Rafico made their intentions clear… apply pressure at all costs! El Rafico’s striker and midfielders were the leaders in the press and often found all players in Pana FC’s half raising the tempo and forcing early mistakes.

When executed properly, El Rafico’s press looked really impressive and were able to win the ball in dangerous areas and often found themselves on the counter attack. Numerous half-chances arose from this approach and Pana FC seemed rattled.

It wasn’t until a lapse of concentration from the El Rafico defenders before Pana FC saw how they could be effective against this press.

Chinks in their armour.

Pana FC rode the initial wave of half-chances and pressure El Rafico applied to then create their own chances through direct counter attacks and relying on their striker to carry the load. El Rafico looked like they were happy with this risk as their approach never wavered and were combative enough throughout the match high up the pitch to create their own luck.

Against the run of play, Pana FC were able to capitalise on a quick throw-in and cross which deflected past the keeper’s near post to give them the lead. El Rafico would have felt this was undeserved given how the game fared this early on and had to regroup to get back into the game.

There’s only so much one can take.

Wave after wave, El Rafico’s striker led the line to press Pana FC’s defenders to give them the hurry up whenever they were on the ball and the reward was Pana FC having to resort to long ball football and never being able to progress up the pitch as they struggled to keep hold of it through strong defending.

Perseverance was key as El Rafico kept battling away till their tall midfielder was able to gain some space on the right handside and shoot from distance which whistled past the keeper to make it 1-1.

Momentum.

When the second half arrived, it was clear how this match will end… whoever wanted it more and whoever was able to capitalise on their momentum would win the game.

For the first 15 mins, the match was very even with both sides having chances. Pana FC were evidently more sloppy in the final third and not able to make their final pass stick. El Rafico had a period where they were disjointed and allowing gaps to appear in their defence providing opportunities for Pana FC. It wasn’t until an unlikeliest of approaches with a route one long ball from the keeper which provided El Rafico’s second goal with their super sub of a striker pouncing like Eddie Nketiah to make the game 2-1.

From there, momentum completely shifted to El Rafico and Pana FC looked leggy and losing fight as the game wore on. An absolute screamer from El Rafico’s midfielder on a counter attack is a must see to make the game 3-1 followed by a super team goal with front to back to front build up play to put the game truly to bed.