Game Week 6 v DURHAM UNITED LIONS (Cup)

Durham United Lions are a team from our league and the first team we played his season, we beat them 3-2, outplaying them for most parts but made life hard for ourselves in the second half, partly due to the heat, partly due to lack of concentration. Net result, we needed to be focused and aggressive. It's safe to say "mission accomplished" in this instance.

Rutherford came out of the blocks quickly and within 15 minutes or so the game was well on its way to being beyond Durham, quick fire goals from Joseph B, Wiktor and Tom put Rutherford 3 up and it wasn't long before Wiktor and Liam x2 made the game 6 nil at half time.

Some of the attacking play in the first half was brilliant, full of quick interchanges, close control and forward running, Durham just couldn't keep up. When they did manage to attack, Oliver, Morgan and Joseph slammed the door shut more often than not. Thomas in goal was called into action once or twice and handled the situation well, making at least one very good save and distributing the ball very well, which included a brilliant long kick which ran though to Wiktor to score.

The second half started slowly as it tends to when winning well and the fight seemed to have gone out of Durham somewhat, nevertheless, Rutherford kept attacking and added 3 more goals to the tally from Liam, Chloe and Tom. 9-0 a full time, biggest win of the season and first clean sheet

So, on to the special mentions and Man of the Match awards. The squad as whole played extremely well, everyone knew their position and role in the team, they stuck to their task and played the way we want them to. As mentioned the interchange between players is brilliant to see, and that's not just the attacking players. Things stick out when you're watching from a coaching point of view, things like Joseph winning a tackle at right back, putting his foot on the ball and playing it inside to Morgan, who turned out and played it to Thomas in goal who chipped it to Chloe on the wing. 4 passes in a little triangle and we've turned defence into a attack. Trust me when I say, it would have been far easier for anyone of those players put their foot through the ball and reset their position. This or something similar happened half a dozen times. Other things which might not seem like much but add up over the course of the season. Lewis and Chloe both went off his head injuries, now that sounds a little strange to call out as a positive but it shows that both were willing and brave enough to challenge for headers and high balls, something we struggled massively with last season and set to rectify this.

Chloe and Marc were brilliant today, both of them had a hand in 6 of the 9 goals, via assists or goals. Tom and Wiktor scored a brace and Liam chipped in with a hat trick. The back 3, goal keeper and defensive midfielder were brilliant and managed the first clean sheet of the season and its Lewis who picks up the Man of the Match award today. He won his midfield battle, held his position, played the ball forward, quickly and accurately and kept the team ticking over brilliantly.

Well done everyone, excellent performance