Division 6B continues to surprise as Vets1 prove overly welcoming hosts to Bilbo Baggins and Nivelles
Vets 1 were undone by an unlikely combination of Bilbo Baggins’ Grandad, and a deceptively quick stocky striker who looked like he we would do a good truffle shuffle but not much else. The game started fairly well, we pressing well, and the Nivelles team looking tidy in possession. Their front 2 didn't look a threat, until the ball went near them - then it was clear why they had a higher goals tally than us.
Then they scored 3 identikit goals. Ball down their right channel, Chuck runs onto the ball, dribbles well at speed, good strength and our back line was not able to stop him getting into the box. Ball pulled back to Bilbo's granddad who used all of his 800 years of experience to lose his marker, tidy touch and sweet finish. Can't remember the three goals individually as they all looked pretty much the same!
In between times we put together some nice moves mostly down the right side or through the centre, and created some good opportunities from crosses and through balls, that might have led to more goals with a better final ball or finish. Cian tucked one away one on one, after good pressing had won the ball high up the pitch. Gonzalo was looking dangerous when we got him on the ball, but too often our final ball was just not accurate enough.
Halftime, a bit shell shocked 1-3 to be down, but still very much in the game, we actually had more efforts on goal than they did.
Our play was too rushed at times, too many killer passes going astray, and too much lost possession, giving them the chance to break. Halftime changes Thierry off, Ben G on. Team instructions to pass the ball with more patience, and keep possession, and the goals will come. Formation change to wing backs and a front 2. The changes seemed to work.
We started strongly, pressing high and taking the game to Nivelles. They played a high line with offside trap that made the midfield quite condensed and hard to thread a ball through, but with space behind available. When we did break through, we looked dangerous and after 10 minutes Ben L tucked one away at the near post, 2-3, game on, and there for the taking. Shortly afterwards Gonzalo went close with a header from another left side breakaway. In the same move Ben G pulled his glass hamstring and had to be replaced by Leo. Cedric arrived for Si shortly afterwards.
At this point, the game sort of fizzled out for us, we had more of the ball, but could not seem to get closer than 30 yards out before our attacks broke down. One chance did arrive for Cedric after a strong run cutting on from the right, but under pressure he didn't manage enough power in his shot.
With our team pushing further forwards to try and get the next goal we left more space at the back and they were still very dangerous on the break. Gonzalo got a bang on the head in an aerial challenge so had to leave the pitch, no subs left so down to 10 men.
Apparently, not long after this Tommy made a worldie save from Chuck. Same player then scored the killer goal final goal in the last couple of minutes. Neither seen by your roving reporter as I was busy trying to persuade Gonzalo with the red cross people to sit down and stay off the pitch as he could not stand up straight!
End result 2-4. Lessons learned, appearances can be deceptive and our passing needs to improve.
Reporter: Griffiths
MOM: Sejersen
