They, too, desperately want to get out of Div 5 so spent quite a deal of money restructuring their team and invested heavily on a keeper and a key striker. The investment has worked and they have been able to keep a clean record with 4 wins from as many starts.
The seniors went down to Baxter 3-1 yesterday even though around the park we clearly had outplayed them. They just kicked it long or anywhere while we tried to play football with clever possession and structure. Clearly this is not the league to play 'good football', but we must persist.
The game started well with or new forward structure. It was working a treat and Baxter did not know what to do. They looked tired and sluggish as they chased us all over the field. We were unlucky not to score twice when Connor almost got a foot on a super pass from McCarthy. Our best chance was after some super work between Tommy, McCarthy and Lachy who got to the near post and all he had to do was pass it to Seb, but without talk Lachy shot and the save was made by the keeper.
Then we conceded a goal and our heads dropped a little and they really gained in confidence. We gave them belief and for about 12 minutes they had us under severe pressure as they tried to break us. We hung in and attacked a number of times but their defense held firm. It was ugly with Baxter just kicking the ball anywhere - long, high, wide. We really missed Luke Dal's run from left back and that really hurt us all day. We kept going to Tommy who was spent by half time. We did the best we could but kept going right to the half with our game plan - even though we went in 1-0 but easily could have been 2-0 as they had a shot hit the crossbar.
Tucci and Lucas T, Tom F and Lachy were playing super games - but we needed others to lift. Matty K was working hard but was getting needled by players on the pitch as well as players from Rosebud. McCarthy was also working hard and keeping to the structure. James was doing well in goal and I thought at half time we could turn the game. We needed more from our strikers - we were getting it up there but it was being cleared too easily.
The second half started and Baxter played with more confidence. We really were struggling keeping their main striker in check and he was really the difference in the game. They scored a second, when James took a punt to come out and just did not get there in time before it was toe poked into the back of the net Even at 2-0 down we worked really hard and built up time and time again only to be denied by a clearing kick.
After about 10 minutes we scored a really great goal from Seb and the score was 2-1. Tucci was being masterful in the middle and Dale and Deni were on and making an impact. We were getting dreadfully tired however and the long ball was killing us. We conceded a couple of corners in a row and our lack of height showed as they headed from deep to make it 3-1.
To the credit of the boys we did not quit and almost scored a second goal which was saved by the keeper on a reaction save.
The game ended at 3-1 and we were all totally disappointed. We need to make 4 points up on Baxter somehow. Hopefully they fall or draw a couple. We need to score high in all games in case the promotion battle comes down to goal difference. We move to next week where we have a home game against Sandown. (see note at end of report)
The reserves started off very slowly with too many players looking like they were not giving 100%.
The first half we looked awful. Our midfielders was not great and it seemed as if our strikers were not prepared to work when they lost the ball. It almost looked as if we were cocky. Luke P was doing great in Defense as was Jack Kearney who was playing a blinder. Up front Jimmy, Travis, Adam were getting touches and chances but things were just not clicking. We had them beaten for pace outside but were not using the ball well. Our midfielders were turning the ball over too easily and it was from a poor pass that we conceded a goal. We were clearly better but were one down. After a few minutes the ball was played beautifully by Daniel K who shifted into the midfield to work with Nate who was doing a great job. We went in a disappointing 1-1 against the other team who were also unbeaten.
The second half began and it was a scrappy affair. Adam got a whole lot more of the ball but we could not break through their defense. They scored first again and with about 30 minutes left we found ourselves 2-1 down and struggling. Alex injected a bit of pace up front by putting on the fleet footed Jordan and it paid instant dividends. After a bruising encounter with the keeper in which Travis looked as if he was in trouble, Jordan sped onto the loose ball to put in the easy shot to make it 2-2. The intensity lifted for the last twenty minutes as the ball went back and forth. Chelsea was getting the best of the game and persistence was paying off as the all was continually slotted into the spaces behind the defenders, Eventually Jordan scored a goal to make it 2 in 20 minutes - a great effort from the bench.
The fight the reserves showed was tremendous and they ended up winning 3-2 to keep top position on the ladder. The whole team lifted in the last 10 minutes as if they wanted to prove they ere the best reserve team in the league. They became desperate and it was a great last 30 minutes fro Chelsea FC Reserves!!
IMPORTANT NOTE
Boys, we are young and have a squad that consists of over 30 players - it's our time to show the league what champions are made of! I believe this is the season we get promoted! We have unbelievable depth and quality and all deserve to be playing in a champions squad! This should be everyone's aim and mindset - not just to play good football - but we should all share this aim of getting Chelsea FC promoted.
Football is a physical sport but it's played with a winning mentality. You either win, draw or lose but none of that matters if there is no purpose to what we are trying to achieve. We're not only trying to win the league and get promoted but set a foundation and benchmark for our club (Chelsea FC) - for our juniors who can watch and learn and for our team-mates - so we can challenge each other and help develop and grow our individual mind-set and increase our performance. We should also challenge our opposition - so they can start thinking about what they're going to be playing against.
We set the benchmark.
We meet again on Tuesday and reset - preparing for the coming week against Sandown Lions FC at home. This Thursday dinner is being provided again and hopefully we can watch the game VS Baxter on the screen.
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