A very cold morning at Shelfield saw the Warriors play two matches with a full turn out of players.

Our first game was played against Cresswell Panthers. Lewis was goalkeeper and only just failed to catch Cresswell’s first goal. The same was true of their third goal but then Lewis managed to get to the next shot and saved this one. Harry managed to break free of Cresswell’s defence and produced our most convincing attack of the match but unluckily missed the target. Isaac and Alfie tackled well and began to make life a little more difficult for Cresswell. Finally Warriors clawed one back when the keeper, Lewis scored from his own goal kick.

In the second half , Hayden had a couple of shots but once again the keeper was called upon most and Harry made some good saves. Jack came close to scoring from a corner  and Lewis worked hard again.

In our second match we played  West Bromwich Allstars. Warriors began to pressure West Brom and Lewis came lose to scoring again but a long ball from West Brom put them ahead. Warriors were lucky when Cole in goal stopped the ball which then rolled across the goalmouth but without going in. Carter found defending in this  match a little easier.

In the second half , once again it was the Warriors’ goalkeeper who kept the opposition’s score down.  Jack made some excellent saves and only Hayden had a chance at the other end but was tackled by the West Brom goalkeeper and could not find the net.

This was a disappointing morning. Clearly, Cresswell outclassed  the Warriors but there are lessons to be learned here. At this level, Warriors will have to work more as a team and pass the ball to each other, and with accuracy, if they are going to grab opportunities which win matches. They are too keen to chase the ball and thus fail to mark the opposition and leave gaps in their own defence. The result is that, time after time  only the goalkeeper stood between the opposition striker and the net. Meanwhile our strikers are met by a wall of defenders but do not pass to evade them.

Lee said that the team worked hard but need to listen and also to remember that what they do in training has to be followed through in games. Jack was awarded man of the match for his hard and consistent work.

Rob Smith