Match Report

Derby Ams (3) v Bassingfield (9)

	Player	Rating
1	Matthew Cartwright	6
3	Dale Blackburn	5
4	Elliot Clay	4
6	Mark Hosker	8
8	Alex Selby	6
9	David Crosby	6
13	Michael Butler	7

Date: 13/09/08
Team: 2nds
Match Type: League
Venue: Home
Opposition: Bassingfield

Being the second game of the season, we were hoping to improve on last week’s impressive performance. This proved not to be the case; we conceded early and were 3-0 down a short way into the game. With the players we had available we started the match with formation of 4-4-2 the aim being to try to play passing football as we’ve done in the past games, unfortunately this didn’t come to fruition as the ball seemed to keep being played over the heads of the back four more often than not. At times the midfield did play short passes which resulted in some penetration into the opposing penalty area and created chances. It could have been a different game had some of our good early attacking play resulted in a few goals of our own.

It seemed that every time the ball was pumped forward Bassingfield looked likely to score; the 7-1 half-time score line reflected this. Although there were times when we did defend and managed to form an attack from this action. Our first half goal was the result of a run from Pateman who took on and beat several players and hit a thunderous shot into the back of the net.

We made changes at half time and went with a 3-5-2 formation, Prince, Butler and Carnagie coming on for Howles, Blackburn and Selby. Starting the 2nd half more positively, Pateman scored almost from the kick off with a solo run. The football improved but it took time, we finally looked good going forward getting balls into the box and testing their keeper. Kumar scored early into the 2nd period, and we went close again and again with shots from in and outside of the box.

A late goal from Newlan rounded off the Derby Ams scoring, the 9-3 result seeming a little one sided we did get a few spells of good passing football to open up and create chances. Scoring seemed a lost art last season towards the end hopefully we can keep scoring goals every week and if we tighten up the defence we could get some good results this season.