GAME WEEK 3 v BRANDON COMMUNITY YOUTH BLUES (CUP)

Thankfully todays match in the cup was on and its thanks to the Brandon coach who organised and presumably funded the 4g pitch at Durham community sports ground.

Brandon are a tough team to play against, they’re physical and have a direct style of play, so it was down to our lads to combat this and implement our style of play and impose the elements we’ve been working on in training over the last few weeks. The focus was on how we move with the ball and how we defend in 1v1 situations. We’ve worked hard on this and I think you saw the fruits of the players labour today. We forced the Brandon players wide and away from goal when defending in our half and in field when pressing from the front. The amount of times we won the ball back high and central allowing us a shot on goal was quite remarkable. Brandon, free kicks aside, didn’t have a shot from a central positions.

In attack we moved with the ball very well, dribbling with close control or moving the ball out of our feet quickly. Combination play to get out of tight situations and forward was second to none.

Rutherford, in my opinion dominated the game throughout and the 4-2 score line flattered Brandon. In the first 4 minutes Joe hit a wonderful freekick against the inside of the post and out, but it wasn’t long before he was on the score sheet with a set piece, this time a penalty. Joe’s a confident player and can strike a ball with power and possession, it was no surprise he smashed the ball beyond the Brandon keeper for 1-0.

Chances came and went for Rutherford who forced the entire Brandon team within 40 yards of their own goal and such was the Rutherford dominance, Shaun and I took the decision to take a defender off and play 2v1 at the back, with Jacob replacing Connor and moving into a 1-2–1-3-2 formation. The second goal came shortly afterwards and it was Max Johnson who was on the scoresheet, breaking through the Brandon defence to score following a quick throw from Aodan. 2-0 at half time and the message was more of the same, keep pressing, win your 1v1s and move quickly with the ball.

Moments into the second half, Elliott took a quick throw and it was Max Johnson on target again with a well taken goal at the near post. Interestingly restarts (throw ins and corners) are something we’ve been working on too as they’re a key part of the game, they paid dividends today.

Brandon got back into the game with a well taken free kick but almost directly from the kick off, Rutherford won a corner and Max Billingham scored the goal his work rate and effort deserved. He was on hand to score from close range, a typical strikers goal, in the 6 yard box, central and waiting for the scraps. That position, in front of the keeper, is worth 6 goals a season according to Gary Lineker.

Brandon scored again via another free kick, but Rutherford ran out comfortable winners and it could’ve easily have been 8, 9 or even 10-2 if we’d have taken the chances and had a bit more luck in front of goal.

So, on to the man of match award, very difficult this week, Shaun and I had a long chat and we both thought Taylor was superb in defence, nothing got passed him, he covered brilliantly and moved the ball forward with great accuracy. Joe (who was Brandon’s managers pick) was fantastic too. His work rate and dead-ball quality is a real asset, his free kick was brilliant and he was eager to take the penalty, which he smashed home under pressure. Max Billingham’s work rate today was unreal, I can’t ask him to score every week but I can ask him to defend from the front and it’s so important for the team that he does. He starts the press and sets the tone for the team. He scored the goal he deserved and was unlucky not to have 2 or 3 more. However it’s Max Johnson who takes home todays Man of the Match aware. Max was a constant thorn in Brandon’s side, he won ever long ball, which was a lot, tackled, tracked back and when in the final third, scared the life out of the defenders with his close control, dribbling and willingness to run in behind. His two goals were well taken and deserved. A fantastic captains performance, well done Max.