Match report: U10s 'A' v Travaux 'A'
Published: 18 September 2007
"We need to go back to basics". That was the view of Boro' assistant coach Johnny Ransley after Boro crashed to defeat for the second game in succession.
A feeling of déjà vu was experienced by all, as yet again Boro' gained the lion’s share of possession but failed to convert it into goals. The players to their credit had improved their individual ball control but had regressed in terms of keeping possession, passing and movement.
Most concerning was the amount of set pieces needlessly thrown away. The midfield were again guilty of failing to support their defence when Travaux were on the break and at times the defensive partnership of Kieran Dowell and Callum Ransley was overrun by Travaux players. A confident display of defending prevented Travaux from scoring more.
The midfield and forwards crafted many opportunities and had they made the right decisions in the final third may well have been rewarded with a goal, despite the astute defending of Travaux.
The first half started brightly and Boro' almost scored in the second minute when Luke Calen broke from midfield and supplied Kieran Cole with an excellently weighted through ball that carved the Travaux defence wide open. Unfortunately the subsequent shot was sprayed wide after Cole failed to control the ball, much to the annoyance of head coach Shane Cole who had worked hard to make the players understand the importance of first touch control.
Luke Calen frequently made runs from midfield, linking up with a hardworking Stanley Osbourne, whilst helping Shay Brynes who made some intelligent runs and between them harassed the Travaux defence.
Alex Gill came on in the 12th minute and continued the midfield dominance enjoyed by Boro'. Callen was pushed up forward and it seemed that Boro' would open the scoring. So it was a complete surprise when Travaux scored in the 17th minute.
Travaux had been pressuring Boro' around the box and Boro' managed to clear the ball to around seven metres only for the Travaux No5 to hit the ball in the air more in hope than expectation towards the Boro' goal. The ball dipped just under the crossbar with Sam Jeram unable to reach it. It was the unluckiest of goals and very much against the run of play.
Boro' responded well by continuing to attack Travaux as they had done previously. In the 23rd minute Dowell made an impressive run down the right flank and passed the ball into the box. Osbourne received the ball and made a short pass to an unmarked Calen, whose shot was saved by the Travaux keeper. The half ended with a free kick on the edge of the Travaux box after Calen was fouled. Cole who had a torrid first half took a direct shot at goal which sailed over the harmlessly over the crossbar.
The second half was a frustrating and lacklustre affair. Attack after attack was thwarted by the Travaux defence and further set pieces were wasted.
Curtis Matejka was brought on in the 30th minute to form a three man defence and to provide a link to the midfield which he did ably. The Boro' midfield and forwards continued to work hard trying to pressure the Travaux defence and 'keeper and there were many a heart stopping moment when the ball was being scrambled around the opposition box, but it was refusing to hit the back of the net. It was more than what some Boro' supporters could cope with!
A defensive lapse at the stroke of full time by Boro' was to blame for Travaux’s second goal. Boro' failed to clear their lines allowing the Travaux no8 time and space to drill the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0 - a score line that flattered them.
Boro worked hard all match, had most of the possession but failed to convert. A frustrating experience was had by all and one can’t help but feel that a Boro' goal is like waiting for a bus - they take ages to come and will probably come all at once.
Head coach Shane Cole commented that players needed to look around themselves more and look for the effective pass earlier, rather than keeping hold of the ball and either losing it, or allowing the opposition to regroup to deal with the eventual pass.
Cole and Ransley stated that the much needed Tuesday training session would certainly focus on effective set pieces and better use of the ball. Man of the match honours were deservedly shared between Kieran Dowell and Luke Calen who both easily covered more of the pitch than the rest of the team put together.
Final score: Gosport Borough 0 Travaux 2
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