Post Turkey-Day Scramble

Special thanks to all who provided commentary from the Orangemen Game on 24 Nov.

It was a cold windy night with 11 Orangemen and 8 opposition players at start time.  Bob noted that wind-chill put the temperature around 20.  Peter accepted duty to even out the numbers as an additional opponent arrived, but by a minute into the game Peter was back in Orange (well red actually) as the game settled at 11 Orangemen and 11 plus 1 sub on the other side.  

The give and go(s) need work…the first pass was good but when the other player  got the ball pass every time without looking and to the a terrible angle, so the ball never got back to the first player that pass the ball in the first ball in the first place. Each time the other team was able to read the play and intercepted the ball. 

The offensive attacks that get stuck in the corner of the field while dribbling needs to look as they are dribbling down the sideline for a teammate at the 20 yard line(top of the box)  to get the better shot on goal. A player shooting on goal from the goal line and near the corners can make a goal easier if they would pass the ball to a player that is open at the 12 yard to around the 20 yard line. 

As the first half proceeded we yielded two or three goals before mounting more frequent and penetrating counter attacks finally scored.  As with most of our scoring opportunities, their excellent keeper and backs stymied us on the initial shot and multiple rebound shots.  This brought us to 3-1 shortly followed by another score against us.  As time expired, Bob brought the score to 4-2 with a short range header on a Ben(?) cross/shot.  We were scoreless the remainder of the game, although with multiple opportunities, while we let in 2 more.

Noteworthy play was the endurance of Karl, playing with a bum back, Doug, Tyler O, and Jean repelled continuous assault, while Ben led multiple counter attacks, but failed attempts to finish (Tedd's legs seemed to never seemed to warm as shots went high, wide, or softly to the keeper) left us trailing the entire game.  Andres and Nate, bolstered the midfield running both ends for the full 90.

During an offensive attacks, any player controlling (providing there is enough time) the ball needs to look at both sides of the field to see which is the best  odds of progressing to score. If the midfielder has the ball and can reach the pass to the opposite where there is lack of other team players then make the switch. Instead of passing the ball on the side of the field where is a mismatch of skills or and overload of players.

We only had eleven guys, played against very talented team, but everyone of our guys played their hearts out. I for one am proud the way they played.We lost even though played maybe the best game of the season. Bob scored and that felt great.

Special thanks to Ben's sister who braved the elements to lead the cheering section.