Mistakes cost Youth Development against Eastern Suburbs

It's all in the title! Eastern Suburbs turned up with a relatively strong team, especially in their midfield where two should be playing a far higher level I suspect. From kick off Suburbs played some nice football and Waiuku were all over the place. Lessons in not panicking and playing simple football were initially ignored and as the coach, our play was painful to watch. Poor passing, control and decision making were key problems. Within 2 minutes of the start, our lack of cohesion at the back nearly cost us dearly as the Suburbs forward sliced through us and towards the box. Shaun Morris at right back and last man, tried to catch him and ultimately did so. Unfortunately taking the forward's legs out and deemed by the referee to be just inside the box and so for the second week running, a penalty awarded against us. I think the fact that we had only just kicked off saved Shaun from an early exit and so Stuart Ruddell came into play. Walking up to the penalty taker, Stuart was obviously playing mind games as he replaced the ball on the spot before walking back to his line and it worked. Up stepped the Suburbs player and struck it to Stuart's right, where it hit the outside of the post and went out for a goal kick! Still 0-0 and Stuart's lucky charm appeared to work! 

The penalty save seemed to galvanize of our player and once we settled and I had nearly lost my voice, Waiuku started to get down to football and we began to press Suburbs hard. Good work from Shane Holmes, dispite him nursing a sore quad opened up the suburb's right on a number of occasions but we were just not able to get the quality crosses in to punish them. Likewise, Dylan Kirk-Smyth and Mike Mc Robbie also tested the suburbs backline with the same effect. Then about 25 minutes into the game, some nice 'simple' play put Roddie Peat clear and he finished in style to put Waiuku 1-0 up and score our first goal of the season. The goal increased our confidence and we played some good football for the rest of the half but failed to capitalise on it. 

Half time talk was all about concentration, attitude and uping the work rate, especially in the tackling stakes as we knew Suburbs would come at us. Sadly, as with the first half, we failed to get going and within a few minutes found us at 1-1. A corner to Suburbs came in towards the near post. No-one from our team went to attack or claim the ball and a Suburbs forward stole in and bundled it in at the near post. Calls from Stuart for a foul were ignored by the referee and to be honest,  he was right in his decision. It was poor defending and we have to learn from that. As the second half moved on, both teams had chances and a couple of good blocks from Stuart and decisive defending from Thomas McKee kept us in the game. Likewise, we had opportunities at the other end but again, rather than attempt to walk the ball in all the time, the lads have to give it a go and simply shoot.

Fitness is still an issue with some players and the team know that if they wish to challenge for the oppotunity to play at a higher level, they must work on it themselves. And it was this fitness and again for the second week running, a lack of positional awareness that cost us. A Suburbs forward broke down our left and ran unopposed into our box. Stuart attempted to narrow the angle but the player had enough of a target to place it into the far bottom corner and we were now 1-2 down. The rest of the game had us chasing an equaliser and we had our chances but could not convert and 1-2 it ended. Although it was our second defeat in a row, again it was by a solitary goal and we are competing. The result could have gone either way but hopefully lessons will be learnt and we will improve as the season goes on. Man of the match for us was Shane Holmes for his work rate and attitude dispite his injury. Thanks to Stuart Harrison for refereeing and to the College for the use of their field. Our next home game in a couple of weeks will probably be at George St or Massey 2. Also, thanks to the supporters that showed up. The lads appreciate it!