Round 9 - Doncaster Rovers

MATCH DAY EVALUATION

Match Day 9 – Box Hill vs. Doncaster Rovers

Conditions: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Pitch in good condition though grass is virtually non existent in centre corridors. Still flat and level but showing evidence of wear and tear.

PLAN: Team was asked to:
• Intensity at ball
• Concentrate on what we do well (Passing, interplay, supporting team mates, etc)
• Play to feet

First Half: Team was forced to substitute Yu, the team’s goalkeeper, with Mills-Warthold due to a flu/virus impact. This removed one of the team’s potent forces on the left and he was substituted by Orlando. Rovers clearly started the game with greater verve and intent and a number of long balls forward were saved and cleared by the defence. Mill-Warthold was rarely troubled and was not called upon to make any significant saves. After 10 -15 minutes, BH started to control the middle of the park and numerous wide runs by Lee and balls through to Clark and Nguyen looked promising but the final touch or cross was poor leading to few chances to score or trouble Rovers keeper. After 20 minutes, Mills-Warthold replaced Orlando at Left back and Yu went into goal. Unfortunately, after only a few minutes on the field, a mix up in defence allowed the Rovers striker to stop, look up and lob our keeper for the first goal of the game. This seemed to galvanise the team and the half was dominated by our midfield and defence, with sterling performances by Bircham and Becker in the middle of the park allowing Mills-Warthold and Lee to get chances to cross the ball and make penetrating runs. De Blasio replaced Clark with 5 minutes of the half to go and his intensity for the game was good. The referee was spoiling the game with some strange decisions and wasted at least a minute by discussing the ‘loudness’ of the Rovers coach – who was just coaching as he should. BH coach approached the referee at half time asking why no time on was allowed given injuries, etc and he advised adding time on in junior games was his prerogative. This would be turned about in the second half.

Half time score 0 - 1

Second Half: The team was encouraged to trust and believe in themselves and what we play for. There was no need to panic given Rovers scored due to our mistake and rarely troubled us or our keeper in general game play. Bryden was replaced by Orlando, De Blasio and Nguyen played up front. Within 3 minutes of the restart BH scored after good follow up work by De Blasio. This gave BH a lot of impetus and belief and the team pressed Rovers well into their half. Unfortunately, the referee had decided the yellow tickets in his pocket were itching him and a number of cards were displayed to BH and Rovers players for tackles that were hardly vicious of cynical in nature. A concern in the second half was Becker being troubled by what appears to be a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Clark halfway through the half. Bircham was working tirelessly in the middle of the ground, Orlando was doing a great job at Wing back, Lee was making run after run but again, the final touch or pass or cross lacked a little polish. De Blasio was competing better (and even got a header!!) and created the best chance of the game after a strong run down the right and flashing a strong, low cross in that Nguyen couldn’t get a touch too. Just prior to this, Nguyen hit the post from close in and from a very sharp angle. Pagotto flashed a free kick just over the bar and it seemed the goal would come. However, with 5 minutes to go, Kasapidis received his second yellow after a strong tackle and was sent off. A number of ½ chances fell to rovers and a through ball almost saw their striker through but excellent recovery work from Orlando prevented a strike on goal. Unfortunately, the delicate balance of the game did not allow us to play Tolo or Drossas but upcoming games should allow them to get good game time.

PS - This half the referee decided extra time was warranted and played 39 minutes, completely reversing his earlier explanation for no extra time in the first half – strange……..Inconsistent and used his cards to exert authority.

Final Score 1 - 1

Overall Comments

Opposition: Overall, a strong unit, playing to their strengths of power and commitment to the ball. They perhaps lacked some polish but they are committed and will compete hard in every game they play.

Box Hill: A fair effort overall. We started poorly in the first 5 (again!!!!) apparently not looking switched on. The second half was good and BH completely dominated the play. However, our last touch into the box and through ball is not coming off. A number of players lifted their game and intensity this weekend which was pleasing. Overall, the team are still the most competent team in the league BUT…….the first round is over.

Teams know how we play and our strengths and will not allow us the comfort of 7-0 victories again. They will stack defences and try to salvage a point. This means we need to increase our commitment, effort and energy levels and play to our strengths even more. But more importantly, we must learn to be patient. The goals will come if we play correctly, retain possession and work our bollocks off. No more or less will be required for the rest of the year and we cannot afford to drop points to teams like North Caulfield, Manningham, Bulleen, etc.

We cannot become complacent. We must work harder and believe in our work and ourselves.

The results will come for us if we do this…………


Coach: John Di Martino 29th June, 2009