Match Report: Leatherhead Juniors v Under 10's B: 5 - 2 Away Loss (League)

Schoolboy errors lead to B's downfall!

First half - excellent. We were in charge for large periods. Looked threatening, scored a good goal by Jack O and could have added a couple more but for wayward finishing (we need to take the easy chances). We passed the ball well going forward and looked comfortable. The warning signs were there in defence, but Leatherhead didn't pressure us and we coped.

Second half - The boys were warned what would happen. They were told to clear the ball. Nothing was complicated. "If you are in our defensive area put your foot through the ball and clear it". I thought they understood. Oh boy. I was wrong. We conceded not one, but two soft goals right at the start of the second half. I can still hear Peter's words "Be ready. They are going to come at you". For some reason we hesitated in clearing. We passed the buck and left the ball for a teamate. We slashed at the ball. It was terrible. We forgot our technique and everything we continually tell the boys in training. In essence, we took them too lightly and didn't concentrate. We have to attack the ball. They cannot wait for it to land at their feet. The other teams are improving and we have to improve as well or we will be left behind. If you can do one thing for me - please tell your son that they have to have determination and a will to win. Matthew showed it in one strong tackle. Unfortunately that was it for the second half. We adopted an "after you" attitude. Not good enough. I am massively disappointed that we threw a game away when we could have comfortably won. We beat ourselves. If you have a sloppy attitude at the start, you will take it onto the pitch. Some of the boys think they can chat when I give the team talk. This is what happens when you don't take it seriously. Its only boys football. It doesn't matter. It looks like it mattered to Leatherhead. I want to see a change in attitude. A desire to win.

We still showed a cutting edge going forward and Max scored a well worked goal and both Ben and Mateo should have converted chances. It wasn't to be.