Match Report 13th Oct 07

 Binfield FC 5 - 2 FC Holyport
Our second home match at our Great Hollands pitch saw another day of good conditions and the team in confident mood.  FC Holyport only able to field 10 players, but always well organised and strong, we knew it wouldn’t be a stroll.
  
The game had barely begun when FC Holyport had a break through the midfield and their nippy forward through on goal and scoring with a hard & low finish.  Binfield looked stunned.  This wasn’t meant to happen, but we know ourselves that 10 men teams can bring out the best in a team.  Undaunted and still confident, the boys set about their game and great combination work on the left between TC and Lewis soon resulted in the ball being fed through to Michael wide on the 6 yard box.  A quick turn fooled the Holyport defenders and Michael slotted home for the equaliser.  Business as usual. 
  

Undiscouraged, Holyport carried on with their game but rarely managed to penetrate the Binfield defence to any great effect, while Binfield kept their defenders very busy, an often packed penalty area making scoring difficult.  Lewis came close with a header hitting the bar, and several other good saves being forced from the excellent Holyport keeper before a nice through-ball found Jacob, who raced clear to finish for 2-1.  Normal service resumed - Half-time 2-1.

  
A good long half-time gave Holyport plenty of time to get their breath back and they were still very much up for the game, starting the second half very energetically.  A good run down their left beat our defence, and in the confusion they scored past the stranded Matthew to bring the scores level at 2-2.  Shortly afterwards they had a great opportunity to take the lead, but were foiled  when coolly cleared off the line by Michael. 
    
Binfield continued with their fast attacking game, with Oliver coming into play well, (at the unfamiliar left-back position), supporting the midfield well, feeding the ball though to TC and then Lewis.  Several good attempts from distance were just off target from Mark and Daniel before Mark’s fast reactions squeezed the ball in at the back post in a crowded 6-yard box.
     
Credit to Holyport, they didn’t just sit back, but kept seeking the equaliser and pushing forward, but now the 10 men were tiring and the balls fed through to Jacob sliced open their defence and two further goal followed to round off the scoring and Jacob’s hat-trick at 5-2.
   
Man of the Match: This week Ben F gets the award for some really skilful work in midfield, simple but effective passing, some great through balls and good battling.  Well done Ben.
   
It is normally hard to pick out one individual each week, and this week was no different.   There were some great performances right through the team, with the core defence of James, ever-sure and dependable, and Alex fast and strong with good counter attacking, Chris very strong on the right wing, Lordy stretching the Holyport defence and getting in some great crosses on the right, Daniel in midfield, winning the ball, setting up some great attacks and firing in some testing shots, Dev battling well on the wing, Ben W with some skilful touches and passing in midfield, and not forgetting Matthew, who wasn’t too busy, but took the ball well and displayed some awesome kicking.
  
FC Holyport were beaten but unbowed and will undoubtedly give us a good game on the return fixture, (especially if they have a full team).  I thought they played like lions and certainly deserved their goals.  A lot of teams would get ragged and lose their discipline towards the end of a match like Saturday's, but they let their football do the talking, (for the most part), and overall were a credit to themselves, their manager and their parents.
  
 Binfield showed exactly how well they have gelled and how mature they are and demonstrated that they don't need a manager shouting at them to win games.  Unlucky boys - I'll be back shouting next week!    
   
We can expect all our opponents now to be as tough as Holyport, playing out of their skins to break our unbeaten record, so it will have to be maximum performances every week from the team.  Don't underestimate any teams.
  

Thanks to all the parents for some great support and everyone who helped out.
    
Team: Mark, Chris, Ben F, Dev, Daniel, Ben W, Jacob, Michael, Lordy, Lewis, Oliver, Alex, Matthew, TC and James