Leatherhead v Cheam 2s

If you read interviews with sports coaches they often look to take positives from losses. Read the interviews from the England RWC warm up games, and Mr Lancaster (P45 in the post?) often says he’s pleased with “seeing how partnerships were firming up” or “how well the defensive line help and moved forward”. With this in mind we move to the game between Cheam 2’s and Leatherhead. First league game of the season. An opportunity to set the tone and stretch the legs…

If we had stats Cheam would have dominated in meters made, tackles made and most other measurements you can think of. Except two – shots on goal.. and umm.. goals.

As seems to be the way, it took a short while for the Cheam defence to find their groove. Some good leatherhead pressure led to a short corner which after a good charge down was put away with a sharp finish. 1-0

Cheam found some good momentum with the midfield pushing forward, but found it difficult to deliver the final pass or a shot on goal.

This momentum held and the Cheam possession stats were building up nicely.

To reflect this increase in percentages, Leatherhead hit the Cheam defence on the break and with a quick shot from the top of the D, scored their second. 2-0

Following this goal, Cheam once again moved the ball well, retained possession and put the Leatherhead midfield and defence under a decent amount of pressure. But mostly without troubling the goalkeeper too much.

The second half started much like the first. But with a bit more incision from the attacking unit, which eventually after a strong running from “I’ve forgotten who” the ball was passed to Dan Threfall who planted the ball in between the posts. 2-1.

The momentum this goal gave Cheam carried with it more attacks into the final 3rd of the pitch, but once again after an initial save from a short corner flick the follow up shot went in at the far post. 3-1

All in all Cheam held their own and won the majority of their individual battles in a very physical and slightly niggly game (Sohail’s green card is testament to that…) The match fitness and sharpness will come.

And yes, if you interviewed the captain after the game you’d hear about lots of positives – we passed well. Once we’d woken up we defended well with a make-shift defensive unit. And there were fewer suicide passes than you might expect.

But can we score some more goals? Please?