Sheddocksley vs Huntly - 5 Sept 2010

Sheddocksley vs Huntly

A proverbial game of two halves was played away in Aberdeen today, in a strong blustery wind.

Huntly started very brightly, taking the game to Sheddocksley from the whistle, and quickly establishing their dominance with a 1 nil lead.
Sheddocksley did create their own chances during the half, but were denied by a very fine performance in goal from Ross, however Huntly kept the pressure on and finished the half comfortably 0-2.

The second half though was an entirely different game. with Sheddocksley turning the match on it’s head.

The change in the game was, sadly, from basic errors, 3 goals coming from inattentive goalkeeping and 1 from a penalty awarded following a needlessly rash sliding challenge in the box when their unsupported striker was heading away from goal.

Guys, punting the ball aimlessly up field achieves nothing if it doesn’t go to a team mate, and when your team mates are standing still allowing the opposition to be first to the ball every time, all you will achieve is to give possession away. Once you’ve achieved that, and the opposition are attacking you again, it’s pretty basic stuff to close them down in midfield rather than stand and admire their silky skills, & for the defence to watch the line and ensure their strikers aren’t being played onside.
Jason was shouting himself hoarse to get you to close them down, & move out, and he doesn’t do that simply for fun, so by not listening to him, or arguing with him, or by walking around in Sunday stroll mode you only make life difficult for yourselves, and more importantly your team mates.

You are all capable of being so much better than you were in the second period today, and you should and could have won the match comfortably, but, with a few notable exceptions who battled to the last, the mental attitude and effort required to win after the break were, not lacking, but non-existent.

Sheddocksley 5-3 Huntly (HT 0-2)

1 Ross, 5 Bremner, 4 Astridge, 15 Meinen, 3 Hammond, 10 Reilly, 6 Higgins, 7 Whyte, 16 Pratt, 22 Russell, 11 O’Neill, 1 Merson, 8 Manson, 21 Duncan