Jeckle and Hyde Development Squad!!!!

Where do i start this week? A much changed YDS arrived at Ellerslie with only 1 substitute after we lost 4 players who were unavailable this week. Conditions were quite good although the pitch was heavy from the recent downpours. Ellerslie were sitting in 2nd spot in the table and a hard game was expected, especially with our unfamiliar starting 11. However, off we went with confidence and got into the opposition. As the game progressed we were not seriously troubled apart from the occasional long ball, which Stuart Ruddell in goal seemed to cope with easily. As an attacking force, we were using our wingers and through good service from Grant and Coster in the middle, we were able to give Roddy and Gareth chances to attack. To be fair, we actually looked the stronger team and I had a growing confidence of a result for us! Then, as has happened far too many times this season and is becoming a nasty habit, we hit the self destruct button! A through ball down the centre by Ellerslie had one of their attackers chasing it down, but as I saw our keeper and both centre backs converging on the ball, felt no panic. Unfortunately, it was a like a scene from a comedy/horror movie as they all collapsed in a pile and the ball flipped up for the striker to hit the ball into an empty net! The goal was totally out of the blue and a total lack of communication and taking responsability cost us dearly! Still, it was only a goal and the lads know what they did wrong and hopefully will learn from that? Re-starting, we again attacked the Ellerslie goal but just could not convert our chances and 1-0 it remained for the rest of the 1st half.

Half-time chat was of confidence that we could take Ellerslie and that we were by no means being outplayed. Stay calm and show a bit more bite and our chances would come! Kicking off I had high hopes that we could turn the result around. However, it was at this point that Mr Hyde appeared!! To be brutally honest, we were poor for the second half. Our passing was non-existant, our disciline went out of the window and our judgement and choices were terrible.  We panicked with the ball and were hesitant both going forward and defending. Matters were made worse when we lost Gareth with a hamstring problem. Then midway into the second half, a well timed through ball sent the Ellerslie strker through on goal. Out came Stuart and I thought he had actually grabbed the ball on the floor, only for it to squirm away and it was 2-0. Roars of 'offside' from our players, but to be honest, it was a great ball and run. However, what was more disappointing was the lack of discipline from some of our players. We, as a team, need to learn to live with the referee's decision and to get on with our jobs! Stil, we can take confidence that we will not play so poorly again this season and to be honest, we are as good as any team in this Division. We just need to believe in ourselves, cut out the silly mistakes and show more composure and we will win more games and climb the table.

Man of the match went to Thomas McKee, who had a very good game and will be a player to watch for the future. Nice haircut too!! Praise has to go to Grant Muckle for his talking throughout the game and for Shaun for his tireless running. Thanks to the supporters who came all the way and we promise to do better next time. Our next games are next Saturday and the following Monday. both are at Massey Park and support would be welcome.

Also, next Wednesday is the Waiuku College v Pukekohe High School Senior Boys game at Waiuku College. Ko 4pm. The YDS, 1st Team and Reserves are made up of players from both schools and it promises to be a keen and closely contested match! Both teams are doing well and Pukekohe are the current Counties Manukau Champions!