Game Week 16 - SOUTH SHIELDS WHITES

Following on from two excellent performances there was no need to change the starting 9 or formation, with the exception of Jack returning to goal as part of the standard Goalkeeper rotation. Amir (Injured), Penny (playing for the girls) and Aodan (family commitments) all unavailable today but the benefit of a having a large squad is continuing to pay dividends and we have 4 game changers still available to use throughout the game.

A bit of a scruffy opening to the game, both team feeling each other out. A couple of corners defended well by Rutherford, something we did well all game and the fact we were a little pedestrian and slack on our goal kicks, the wingers were too narrow and short, saw Shields start the better but a quick recap of our positioning and ensuring James and Elliott started high and wide sorted that out the goal kicks quickly. Other than that, not much in the way of clear cut chances in the first 8 minutes or so, until South Shields scored from a really scruffy, odd passage of play.

Elliott made a run down the right wing attacking the left full back who made a challenge. The two tussled for possession before Max Billingham collected the ball and crossed. The two players, Elliott and Left back were grappling, one wouldn’t left go of the other. A couple of players from each side came over and the ref stopped the game. It was something and nothing but the game was paused for nearly 2 minutes, it was a really long break in play for an incident which didn't really need any attention. The Shields keeper restarted the game from his hands, why I’m not sure and with the South Shields coach still on the pitch, the ball headed towards the Rutherford left back position and the South Shields winger, who puts a low cross in. The crossed should’ve been dealt with by the Rutherford defence but it fell to a Shields player who bundled the ball over the line. Really poor goal from our point of view and it was the only time in the game where we lost concentration and didn’t deal with a cross. 1 nil.

This seemed to rock Rutherford momentarily and Shields created another chance soon after. Taylor covered a lump up the pitch well but didn't play the ball forward quite quickly enough and was robbed of possession, a low cross comes in which was met by a Shields midfielder who strikes on goal. Jack made a great save with his legs and James Lee, who was tracking back, cleared the ball. Great work from James who demonstrated the defending as a unit aspect of our training expertly all game. From the resulting clearance, Max Billingham picks up the “defending as a unit” baton and presses the entire Shields back 3 into a mistake and carves himself a chance to score but the defence recovers well. What this did prove however was Max had the beating of the defence with his speed and from here Shields dropped 10 yards deeper and Rutherford were able to move up the pitch and release the pressure.

The next chance fell to Shields, another lump forward, Rutherford don’t deal with the bounce and the Shields striker volleys over. A quick chat the Mason regarding this starting position when we transition from attack to defence and this situation doesn’t happen again through the entire match, the midfield set themselves from Mason’s position and we pretty much win every goal kick, from the floor or hand, for the remainder of the game.

As a result of our shape the best chance of the half, maybe game is created. Max Johnson wins a goal kick and plays a lovely through ball to Max Billingham who is 1v1 with the keeper. Max does everything right in terms of his execution, shooting hard, low and across the goalkeeper but the Shields keeper makes a brilliant save to deny Rutherford getting the equaliser. Moments later, more good defending from the front by Max Billingham creates a half chance but a good starting position from the Shields keeper means he’s able to sweep up and clear for a throw in. Rutherford are right back in the game at this stage and looking the far more likely to score.

A short corner from Rutherford causes panic in the shields defence and Mason fires a left foot shot in on goal but the keeper saves with his feet. Rutherford kept the pressure up for the remainder of the half with Max Billingham and Jacob both testing the goalkeeper and threatening the defence with runs in behind.

Half time 1-0 to Shields but Rutherford had the better of the half and were very much in the game.

Second half followed a very similar pattern to the first with the first real meaningful attempt on goal coming from Mason Porter via a direct free kick. I really liked the way Mason took responsibility for the free kick and his attempt was a very good one but once again the shields keeper denied Rutherford and tipped the powerful shot over the bar.

Shields did have a few pot shots in the second half, one which curved wide of the left hand post but Jack wasn’t called into action for the entire second half and it was Rutherford who made all the running. Max B pressing from the front again, tackling the Shields left back and shooting on goal to force another good save from the Keeper. Th resulting corner, is played short to Callum who pulls back to Max J who is open and looks certain to score but for a cruel bobble forcing him to miss kick and a great chance to score goes begging. It was a great corner routine, a theme throughout the game and it was so unlucky.

Moments later Max B was in behind the defence following a great tackle by Conner. Max J over the top to Max B who has beating of big Shields defender, the bouncing ball is lobbed over the keeper but just over the bar too. A great effort. More good work from sees Conner play the ball to Mason who flicks it around the corner to Elliott who repeats the same more to Max J, and through ball is played into Max B who has a low shot on goal saved.

1 nil down, 5 minutes from time Subs on and its “Armitage Shanks” time. We’re 2 at the back and all out attack. A chance is created straight away, throw in to Max B who sets back to James to cross in, Sam gets across front post but can’t get a shot away, good defending.

The pressure on from Rutherford forces a corner which we work short and out to the edge of the box, Max B is pushed in the back for a free kick. Max steps up to take, and his effort whistles passed top corner with the keeper beat. It’s the final action of the match and the games finishes 1-0 Shields.

The result is a difficult pill to swallow but results are a bit of a lottery at times. A poxy goal or piece of brilliance can win matches and today it was the former. We out played, out ran and out fought the team at the top of the league and we’re so proud of the effort, attitude and togetherness the team showed. It was a real test today to see if we repeat the two excellent performances against Washington and Brandon against better opposition and I think we proved to everyone, including ourselves that we can. The Veo stats back our dominance up with 34% of Rutherford possession occurring in the final third and we limited Shields to a mere 5% of their total passes in our defensive third. Well done, all credit to the players.

Mason Porter was today’s Man of the Match. He played very well throughout the game and adapted to Shields style of play and danger players quickly. Once he had his starting position fixed, he rarely lost a tackle or gave the ball away. He was a goal threat too, picking up the ball on the edge of the area and taking some excellent shots on goal.

Notable mentions go to Joe-Harvey Williamson who was outstanding at Right CB in the first half and Elliott who continued his good form.