Match report: U10s 'A' v Portsmouth
Chimes
Published: 12 September 2007
Boro' suffered defeat in the season opener at Paulsgrove in a game where they dominated possession. However, they conceded the goals being caught on the break by a good display of fluid passing by the Chimes.
The size of the defeat could have been larger were it not for some great goalkeeping by Sam Jeram and the hardworking defensive partnership of Kieran Dowell and Callum Ransley.
The Boro forwards crafted some good opportunities, but due to poor ball control on the final ball, confident goalkeeping by the Chimes No 1, and wayward shooting, they were denied a goal their build up play deserved.
An early goal in the first half for Boro' looked possible as they dictated the run of play from the kick-off. Richard Holt executed a fine turn, only to be denied by the goalkeeper. Chimes countered directly after this move, and with Boro’s midfield caught napping failing to support their defence, they scored in the fourth minute against the run of play with a well directed shot by the Chimes no7.
Boro' immediately set out to equalize with Dan Podolski making a good run through the heart of the Chimes defence only for his shot to be swatted away by their goalkeeper. Kieran Cole, and Luke Callen both linked up well to put pressure on the Chimes defence but to no avail as goal scoring opportunities were missed due to poor control of the ball, much to the frustration of Boro coach Shane Cole.
The second Chimes goal in the 18th minute, was a carbon copy of the first, as yet again the attacking Boro' midfield failed to retreat when they had lost the ball, leaving the defence exposed to the Chimes attack outnumbering it. The Chimes no8 made it 2-0.
Boro' rallied itself knowing that despite being two goals down, they had the ability to turn the result around. Substitutes Stanley Osbourne and Alex Gill, who replaced Richard Holt and Kieran Cole respectively, made good contributions again troubling the Chimes defence. Alex Gill nearly snatched a goal back before the break, following some good interchange between Podolski and Callen, beating 2 defenders only to spray the shot wide left of the post.
The second half was much the same as the first for Boro'. Some great passing and movement let down by poor control in the final third. Kieran Dowell who had put in commendable performance in defence and had run the length of the pitch on the right hand side in support of the attack several times, was given a deserved break and replaced by Curtis Matejka. With Callum Ransley who had acquitted himself well throughout the game moved to the right, Curtis Matejka made an immediate impact continuing the good work by the previous defensive partnership, notably attacking the left flank when the opportunity arose.
With Dowell rested and brought back on forming a three man defence and a lively Shay Brynes replacing Callen in midfield, Boro' pressed on attempting to break down the Chimes defence. The last notable attacking move of the match was carried out by Matejka and Ransley in the 47th minute, breaking from defence and carving a hole through the Chimes midfield. Ransley threaded an excellent through ball to Matejka, putting him one on one with the Chimes keeper only for him to fail to control the ball and slice the ball right of the post, pretty much the story of the entire match.
Shane Cole, the Boro' coach and his assistant Johnny Ransley during the post match debrief, emphasised the importance of making that first touch to get control of the ball before moving on. Cole and Ransley were also concerned with the fitness and stamina of the Boro' players and made it clear that extra training was warranted to remedy the problem.
The Boro' coach was encouraged however by some of the excellent play and the hard work put in by all the players, and told them not to be too despondent as that was only the first game of the season. He concluded by saying that with extra training and more games the team will only get better. Here’s looking forward to the next match!!
Final score: Portsmouth Chimes 2 Gosport Borough 'A' 0
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