The Coastal Hogs continued their buildup for the new season with an encouraging trial performance at Russell Vale on Wednesday night.
In a true game of two halves, the Hogs held the RV first division team to a stalemate in the opening half hour and then edged the second division outfit 2-1 with two goals in two minutes late on.
After the cramped confines of summer sevens and Sunday morning soccer it was a shock to be presented with wide open spaces and the Hogs were blowing hard early on as RV's talented firsts pinged the ball around.
Newcomer Fergus was outstanding for the Hogs in a box to box performance, one minute sneaking up at the far post to nod Tony's cross wide and the next clearing from deep in his own penalty area.
The Hogs created very little in the way of attacking chances in the opening 30 minutes but the defence got a good workout against a skilful opposition and pleasingly held firm.
Shane commented on the space the Hogs allowed in midfield, something which should be remedied with the return of Sean and Mark in the middle and some more match fitness. The Hogs had two subs and if they can get closer to four or five for early season matches, and work them intelligently, it should ease the problem of being out-run.
The second half allowed the Hogs more opportunities up front as the younger first division players made way for some older and slower defenders. The Hogs' defense lapsed in concentration, however, and RV opened the scoring against the run of play.
Tony missed a great chance to level when one-on-one with the keeper. He telegraphed his shot to the far post and the keeper got down to make a good save. Soon after Anthony slipped through but placed his low left foot shot into the side netting.
With six minutes to play a deserved breakthrough arrived. Shane played the ball out of defence to Tony who sent Matt away down the right flank and he picked out Fergus, rampaging through the centre. The opposition keeper did well to get a hand on Fergus's lifted shot but Ant raced in to bundle the ball into the net.
Soon after the Hogs had a second, Matt making space inside the box on the right and getting a lucky break as the ball flicked a defender, squeezed under the keeper and spun back over the line.
The result was a plus, as was the match fitness picked up. As Shane said, it was a much better performance than at the same stage last season, and the newcomers have fitted in very well already.
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2 comments:
Fair comments, Fergus was great through the midfield. Felt my own performance was weak, didn't enjoy the midfield position first half, feel more at home sweeping in defence. One person needs to control midfield & one controls defence while on the park....as directed by Gary etc. Defence needs to move up the park when hogs are attacking with midfield pulling back when defending. Oppositon goal kicks should never be defended by our defence, midfield should always be attacking that ball. More verbal support and direction from myself in defence. I think the hogs have strong team and can win this comp, we need to hold our shape for 90 mins.
Being my first full field game of soccer since I was 12 I really enjoyed it, had a lot more time and room than I thought I would have, looking forward to getting into the real games as I reckon up forward we can sneak past a few of the defenders, think we are a little quicker than we probably look so hopefully the through balls from midfield and even defense will spark us forwards into action. Combinations between me, Tone and Fergus will get us goals I'm sure, and Kev and I are getting an understanding also which is sure to help the midfield when bringing the ball forward. Struggled with the corners as I imagine Graeme would have - assume he looked up and thought who the hell do I kick this to? Certainly something we can work on - think if I go near post as a decoy I would take a big defender with me which would free up Flying Fergus to come back post and hit the back of the net (would that get me points on Fantasy Football???)For all please feel free to yell at me if you think I should fall back into defense - struggled with opposition corners . . . do I or don't I come back and help? As I said haven't played soccer for 23 years so happy for advice throughout games.
And now having had time to reflect, there were certainly a few fines from the game - more detail to come later (needless to say that Fergus the teachers pet is in all sorts . . .)
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