Game Week 2 v WASHINGTON ATHLETIC MONACO (A)

In a season which has been more stop than start it was good to get back on the pitch, even if it was early and a little cold. Washington Athletic Monaco are a brand new team who have start the season well, winning 3 and drawing 1 so we knew it the game would be a tough test. Focusing on our Out Run, Out Fight, Out Play mantra, Rutherford started the game well and I believe were largely the better team for most of the first half. Our passing was crisp, Max Billingham receiving balls into feet to lay off and spin was working well but the chances were few and far between, Washington were well organised in defence and strong in the tackle.

The opening exchanges were close, Monaco had some good players, especially out wide and up front, meaning out attacking wide player were being asked to do an awful lot of defensive work which occasionally left Max Billingham isolated if we turn the ball over and played forward quickly. Monaco were also direct from set pieces, long throws and free kicks were of a high quality and it took a few scares before Rutherford started to get a handle on them. That said is was Rutherford who took the lead through a set piece of our own, a quick thinking throw from James Lee set Max Johnson away who dribbled through the Monaco defence to slot the ball home expertly.

With the half closing out Monaco hit back with a scrappy goal. A long diagonal caused confusing and the Monaco player found the bottom corner with a low shot, it was was harsh on Rutherford who hadn't really been troubled till this point. On the stroke of half time, Monaco scored a very good goal and quite a rare one at that, a well taken corner was met with a fierce header from the centre forward which crashed high into the net, it was a great goal in all fairness,

2-1 at half time.

Rutherford started the second half well, a quick change in personal with Joe, Amir and all Jacob coming on and looking to have an impact, and the second half was following a similar pattern to the first, Rutherford largely dominating possession and playing the better passing football with Monaco looking dangerous on the break. And it was on the break when Monaco scored their 3rd, another great goal from the centre forward who broke down the Rutherford left and fired a powerful shot in the top corner. 3-1.

With 10 minutes to go, Rutherford threw caution to the wind, went two at the back and tried to get back in the game. The gamble paid off and Max Billingham scored a scrambled goal 3 minutes from time, setting up a grandstand finish. Unfortunately, Monaco put the game to bed on the stroke of full time and it was that man again, the number 14 who scored another worldie, a mazy dribble and powerful shot into the top corner. My recollection is Monaco had 4 shots, all of which went in, Aodan was helpless to them all and didn't stand a chance. It goes that way at times. Just before the final whistle, Jacob had a good shot saved but the game ended 4-2 and it was another defeat.

Shaun and I often talk about the players learning lessons and I think today was a classic example, we played well, the Monaco parents said we were the best team they'd faced and you could tell by their reaction during the game, at 3-2 and 4-2 just how nervous they were and how pleased they were to win the game. We played well but didn't quite adapt well enough in the game and react to danger signs. We asked the players, could we have handled their two best players better? Marked them tighter? doubled up on them? could or communication been better? when we were on top, could we have been more positive and took more shots? These are questions we want the players to ask themselves and find their own answers.

Above the Dojo at Elliott's Karate there's a sign which says "NO FAILURE, ONLY LEARNING". As far as generic signs from Etsy go, it's not bad and I think its applicable today.

On to Brandon in the cup next week. MoM today was Max Johnson. He scored a very good goal and worked really hard for the team, especial in the second half when he adapted his approach to defending the long throws, ensuring he was free to attack the headers rather than marking players and waiting to see where the ball would land. We need a bit more of this adaption and in game management but it will come, I'm certain of that.