GAME WEEK 18 v HILDA PARK

Today, Rutherford took on Hilda Park at Rutherford AFC. The game should've been played away at Hilda but their usual set of referees were unavailable so we switched venues to Rutherford in order to get the game on. Given the short distance between to the two venues this was early done and it didn't inconvenience anyone greatly.

Rutherford, like most teams at this stage of the season, are suffering from injuries. The Hilda Park captain arrived on crutches after suffering a fractured heal in their last fixture and Rutherford were without Jacob (broken wrist), Mason (pulled quad), Elliott (damaged heal) and Penny (unavailable). Elliott was fit enough for the bench but it meant a shuffling of the pack with Sam Dixon partnering Max Johnson in midfield, Joe pushing into right midfield and Connor returning to right centre back.

Despite the overnight rain, the pitch held up well and the game was underway with Rutherford creating the early running and forcing the Hilda keeper into a good save from a long range effort from Max Johnson, cutting in from the left and shooting right footed. Good effort, good save.

The two teams were feeling each other out and it was Hilda who were growing into the game via their danger man, number 10. We'd identifed the number 10 pre game based not note I took from the previous fixture but the positions he was taking up were confusing our defenders and defensive midfielders somewhat.

Rutherford took the lead, slightly against the run of play and via a bit of a mix up, the ball was played forward and looked to be running through to the Hilda keeper but the rain must've impacted the pitch more than he anticipated as the ball slowed before he could get to it. Max Johnson nipped in, took the ball around the keeper and a defender before scoring. 1-0 Rutherford

The game restarted and the number 10 was growing into the game. He was playing between the lines and Taylor didn't know whether or not go tight or drop, Sam was having similar problems. Unfortunately before we could rectify the issue, he picked up the ball and ran at our back line, drifting in from the left and scoring from inside the box. It was a good goal and we needed to act quickly.

On came Elliott for Sam with the instruction to "man mark the number 10". It was a good match up, both players similar in size and speed, and it was fun to watch. Elliott is dogmatic at the best of times but when given a specific task he will stick to it, no matter what, the concentration he showed not to get ball watch or switch off was very good and it nullified the Hilda Park danger man. It wasn't a silver bullet though as by essentially sacrificing a midfielder we'd created a big gap between Max Johnson and the Elliott. When Max Johnson stepped in to fill it, the gap between him and Max Billingham was too big. These gaps need to be plugged at half time. Unfortunately for Rutherford conceded before half time through a long range effort. The ball was cleared out from a corner which fell to a Hilda Park defender who stepped on the ball and hit a high powerful shot into the goal. This was a poor goal from our point of view, we speak a lot about blocking shots and closing players down quickly, on this occasion we did neither and paid the price.

2-1 at half time.

Tactical changes at half time, Amir on, Connor off and we went into a 1-2-1-3-1-1 formation with Amir looking to plug the gap between Elliott and Max Johnson. Callum and Taylor at the back wasn't too much of a risk as Hilda weren't playing with a recognised striker. The two wide players, Sam/Joe and James/Joesph did need to work very hard to track back and give us width as this formation is very narrow but "needs must when the devil drives". Our shape was much better in the second half but we did conceded a sucker punch of a goal early in the half, the number 10 broke free from Elliott and managed to wriggle his way through into the box and finish under pressure. It was an actually a well worked and well taken goal from Hilda who managed to work a 3v2 situation well. Elliott needed to step out and press the ball, leaving his man, when he did, the Hilda winger popped the ball off to the spare man (number 10) who then drove and Taylor and he just got his shot off before Elliott could recover. 3-1

Rutherford pressed for a goal and the best chance came from a corner. The ball was floated over and Max Johnson hit a brilliant volley which was deflected wide, it was a superb effort and very unlucky. Other than a few half chances it looked like Hilda were going to run out 3-1 winners, that was until a chaotic last 6 minutes.

Shaun and I through caution to the wind, not for the first time this season, and brought Joe on for Callum. Joe was to mark the number 10, Elliott to push into attacking midfield, Max Johnson to support Max Billingham up front and Amir to play centre back. Immediately after the chance, Elliott latched on to a loose ball in the Hilda box and smashed home his second goal in as many games. 3-2.

Elliott's race was pretty much run by this stage as his heal was now starting to cause him issues, so Sam came back into replace him. With 3 minutes left on the clock chaos descended. The Ref awarded Rutherford an indirect free kick for a back pass. I thought this was harsh, from my angle it looked like the recovering defender tackled the Rutherford player and ball ran through to the keeper. It must be said at this point, I'm not a qualified referee and I wouldn't class myself at very knowledgeable on the laws of the game but when things look harsh, they usually are. Nevertheless, that's the referees job and he awarded the free kick. None of the players really understood the protocol on indirect free kicks, I gave some advice to James and Joe, the Hilda coach the same with his defenders, they did their best but the referee decided the Hilda wall encroached too early and awarded a retake. This time Joe smashed the ball at the wall hoping for a deflection but I was blocked and fell to Max Johnson who was absolutely wiped out by a Hilda defender. Penalty, in the last minute!

Max Billingham, our usual spot kick taker hadn't been himself all game but battled on bravely, turned to me and said "Scott, I'm not the best person to take this, I'm not feeling right...." Amir immediately said "I'll take it, I'll score!". That was enough for me and the ball was given to Amir. I absolutely love the fact that Max, who loves scoring, understood that the team come first. I also love the confidence of Amir to step up. After a few moments, it was down to Amir to rescue a point and he didn't let anyone down, placing the ball high into the top right of the goal leaving the keeper rooted to the spot and sending the Rutherford players and bench into raptures.

3-3 Full time.

The result was harsh on Hilda if truth be told, I think they were the better team on the day and caused us some real problems with their set up and style of play, how they're 2nd bottom is a bit of a mystery. The big decisions went against them today too but this happens, it's happened to us multiple times and it's the way of grassroots football, for better or worse.

Man of the match and notable mentions today. Max Johnson played very well again, he looked like our most dangerous attacker and did his fair share of defending too, James came in for some praise from the Hilda coach who remarked that he was a very skilful and quick player. Max Billingham for his selfless work and attitude despite not feeling 100% fit. Sam, Joseph and Jack all played well when called upon and changed the game for the better. Amir for his calmness in possession and confidence with the penalty. However, todays Man of the Match goes to Elliott Vincent who put in a real captain's display. He sacrificed his own game for the good of the team and stuck to his task in a diligent and competitive way which never crossed the line into unsportsmanlike behaviour. At multiple times I saw bother players having a chat and laugh together and after the game congratulating each other on a good game. He got us back into the game with a goal which showed desire and grit as he was second favourite to win the ball but made sure he was first. All this after lasting 15 minutes of training and suffering with a heal injury for almost a month. A real gutsy performance. Well done.

Velocity on Wednesday, touch game but one we go into with confidence.

Well done