First game back after a month off and a welcome boost to the squad with Louis Greaves making his debut and Joe Harvey Williamson returning after time away. It’s always a bit of a reset after a break, especially with new faces, but I thought we started the game really well.

The first 20 minutes were probably our best spell. We’ve spent the last five weeks working hard on our out of possession principles, staying compact, pressing with cover and balance, and forcing teams into areas we want them to play. That was clear to see early on. We controlled the game and created good moments through some of the patterns we’ve been practising. Our nine dropping into a 10 position allowed us to turn and look for diagonal passes into straight runs and up-back-through combinations. Michael nearly released Max through the lines before a deflection killed the move. We also had a very strong shout for a penalty at 0-0 when we looked clean through on goal.

One of our best moves ended with Joe in on goal after a diagonal ball into his run, but the pitch bobbled at the wrong time and the chance went over. From their goal kick, Hilton went straight up the other end and scored. That was a real sucker punch. We then compounded it by losing possession from our own restart and suddenly it was 2-0. That shift in momentum was huge.

At half time we adjusted to a 4-4-2 out of possession, becoming more of a 4-3-3 in possession with Joe, Max and Michael as a front three. The response was excellent. We scored straight from the restart, Michael spotting the keeper off his line and finishing brilliantly from distance. We were on top again and had chances to level.

As the half wore on though, our vertical compactness disappeared. The gap between midfield and striker became too big and we dropped far too deep, with both back four and midfield four ending up on the edge of our own box. That made it very hard to break out and sustain pressure. Hilton made it 3-1 during that spell.

To the lads’ credit, the reaction was good. Joe drove down the left and produced a brilliant outside of the foot cross for Max to finish at the back post and make it 3-2. We pushed to get back into it, but we couldn’t get the distances right between units. We lost too many central duels, too many second balls, and weren’t aggressive enough in 1v1 battles. We also chose to go long too often from goal kicks, especially playing uphill and into the wind, which made it hard to build any momentum.

Overall, there were good spells where we looked the better side and on another day we get something from that game. But the same themes are creeping in. We’re losing the midfield battle too often and not embracing the ugly side of the game enough, tackles, headers, second contacts. We’re in a transitional period with players coming and going, so it’s about finding the right balance and continuing to build. There’s plenty to work with, but we need to be tougher and more consistent for longer periods of the game.

Man of the match goes to Louie Grieves who had a great debut. Special mentions to Joe-Harvey who looked like he'd never been away and Ethan for some excellent saves.

Rutherford AFC

Match Preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff