BackSat 16 Mar 2024
Ben Rhydding 2 Dev
Development
1
3
16 Mar Development v Ben Rhydding, then Northallerton
Patrick Hunt
Frustrations vented
With Ben Rhydding once again only able to field 1 of their 3 teams (the frustration), Thirsk were expecting a stiff test with only a bare 11 players available. Despite Thirsk having the better of the opening exchanges, BR somehow took the lead, but from that point on, the game was under Thirsk's control.
From the back, Caitlyn and Darcey took care of any loose balls, with Caitlyn finding some accurate passes out of defence. Once again (like at Huddersfield) Mike was able to switch play from left to right, taking the ball away from the condensed BR group. Freddie B was sweeping in front of the back 3 (the Steve position) breaking forward as often as he could, but working back when required. Natasha and Harry G found themselves space for square passes from central midfield, moving the ball on (ie not running with the ball too much) to Sam and Fraser higher up the pitch on the wings. After a season trying to persuade Monty to pass the ball from central midfield, he had been released to a fluid central attacking role and he made the most of the opportunity with a balance of passing and brilliant individual skills.
Sam scored from a tight angle from a long pass which bisected the BR defence, and we spent the rest of the day trying to persuade him to pull the ball back to the spot from the baseline. Fraser cleared up 2 loose balls, poaching at the far post, perfect position for a left wing.
Final score BR 1 - 3 Thirsk
Thirsk had a follow up game against younger Northallerton side and re-shuffled the formation, with Monty dropping to CDM (most of the time) and Freddie assuming the central passing role (most of the time), which opened up the centre forward role for Harry G. Tempering their play, the Thirsk team took a little time to dominate the opposition, with the pick of the goals being the 'Annie' short corner routine giving Monty a simple finish after a 1-2 with Harry G.
Final score Northallerton 0 - 4 Thirsk
MVP Sam for great positional play and movement off the ball, harrying opposition defence and goal from an impossibly tight angle, but the whole team performed really well. Apologies to Fraser who was runner up in the voting with Darcey.
From the back, Caitlyn and Darcey took care of any loose balls, with Caitlyn finding some accurate passes out of defence. Once again (like at Huddersfield) Mike was able to switch play from left to right, taking the ball away from the condensed BR group. Freddie B was sweeping in front of the back 3 (the Steve position) breaking forward as often as he could, but working back when required. Natasha and Harry G found themselves space for square passes from central midfield, moving the ball on (ie not running with the ball too much) to Sam and Fraser higher up the pitch on the wings. After a season trying to persuade Monty to pass the ball from central midfield, he had been released to a fluid central attacking role and he made the most of the opportunity with a balance of passing and brilliant individual skills.
Sam scored from a tight angle from a long pass which bisected the BR defence, and we spent the rest of the day trying to persuade him to pull the ball back to the spot from the baseline. Fraser cleared up 2 loose balls, poaching at the far post, perfect position for a left wing.
Final score BR 1 - 3 Thirsk
Thirsk had a follow up game against younger Northallerton side and re-shuffled the formation, with Monty dropping to CDM (most of the time) and Freddie assuming the central passing role (most of the time), which opened up the centre forward role for Harry G. Tempering their play, the Thirsk team took a little time to dominate the opposition, with the pick of the goals being the 'Annie' short corner routine giving Monty a simple finish after a 1-2 with Harry G.
Final score Northallerton 0 - 4 Thirsk
MVP Sam for great positional play and movement off the ball, harrying opposition defence and goal from an impossibly tight angle, but the whole team performed really well. Apologies to Fraser who was runner up in the voting with Darcey.
Further reading