South Rushden Jaguars vs Finedon Volta Storm

Saturday 10^th October 2009

Match day four saw the Jaguars taking on the Volta Storms, a week after their excellent victory against Volta Hurricanes. Oliver Watson’s powerful performance earned him the captain’s armband for the match against the Storms. Unfortunately Oliver was ill and unable to play - the rest of the team and coaches hope that Ollie makes a rapid recovery.

 The Storm was also suffering from some absentees and so the coaches agreed to play a 5-a-side game. The game started with Tom in goal, Josh L in defence, Dan and Nathan in midfield and Carter up front - who was also captain in Ollie’s absence.

 The game started with the Jaguars building up some pressure on the Storm’s goal. Carter and Dan combined to create a good opportunity for Dan which was narrowly wide. The good work continued with Rushden seeing most of the ball, this came to fruition when Dan and Nathan created an opportunity for Carter which he gladly accepted scoring his fourth goal of the season, putting the Jaguars in the lead.

 Nathan and Dan had taken control of the midfield area with their good positional and passing play creating more opportunities for Carter and Dan in quick succession.  Further reward for the pressure came when Nathan fed Carter and another excellent finish put the Jaguars further ahead.

 The chances were continuing to flow based on the excellent play of Nathan, Dan and Carter. Carter completed his second hat-trick from a corner. Nathan played the ball to Dan, who picked out Carter with his cross and he applied a good finish.

 A tactical switch saw Finlay replace Carter with Dan moving up front. Dan was quick to make the most of the move. He intercepted a Storm throw and skilfully beat the goalie.  In defence, Tom and Josh L. were putting in good performances dealing with the Storm attacks when they came. Indeed Josh L. came more into the game and played a number of balls forward and setting up a chance for Dan which narrowly went wide.

 The first half ended with the Jaguar’s well on top. The half time team talk saw a whole host of tactical changes, Finlay and Nathan were replaced by Josh Y. and Carter and the positions swapped. The Jaguar’s started the second half:

Goal-keeper:     Dan
Defence:           Carter
Midfield:            Josh L. and Josh Y.
Attack:              Tom

The new formation gave the Josh’s and Tom a chance to show their attacking prowess and it did not take long to make it count with Tom stealing a Storm goal kick and calmly slotting home.  Soon after the goal, a further substitution saw Finlay replace Josh L. in midfield. Although more even than the first half, the excellent interplay between the Jaguars continued to ensure that they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances. Josh Y., Finlay and Tom all had good goal scoring opportunities. Carter and Dan put in disciplined performances in defence in the second half to ensure the Storm could not score a consolation goal. Carter revelled in the sweeper position and on several occasions produced mazy runs tormenting the Storm defence. From one such run he set up Tom who beat the last defence and lashed home his second goal of the match.

 All the players have put in great performances in some unaccustomed positions. Yet another difficult decision for Steve B. but after a solid performance in goal in the first half and two cracking goals in the second, Tom was selected as Man of the Match. Sterner challenges await this season. However this was a great all round performance from the team.

K & JL

10/10/09