EMFC 3 v 3 Easton Cowboys

Nov 10th 2024

Clifton College Sports Ground (Watson's 4)

TEAM: - Tim, Craig, Jim, Andy M, Duds, Pills, Jason L, Jamie, Arron, Si R, Matt

SUBS: - Morgs

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A GAME OF TWO HALVES Monday went into the fixture knowing that keeping momentum in this new 4 team league was key to keeping pace with the rest. Monday were 1 point from 1 game.  

As always, the recruitment for the fixture was a challenge but Monday ended up with 12.  It was just hoped that theRE wasn't an injury crisis during the fixture, like the last time we played Cowboys.

With mangers #1 and #2 unavailable for the fixture, Arron had to step up and make the call on who would be on the bench and what formation Monday would be playing. He decided to go with the usual of 4-3-3.

Monday got off to the worst possible start with Cowboys scoring from their first venture forward inside the first minute. Some neat passing play between the Cowboys midfield and attack, led to their taller striker having the ball outside of the box. He utilised the wet grassy conditions and finished convincingly after Jason had slipped when turning back. There was nothing that Tim could do. 0-1

Cowboys had the advantage of the slight slope in the first half and on top of that, they also lined up with arguably the strongest 11 that had ever faced a Monday side. They made the most of both of these things throughout the rest of the half and were definitely the stronger side.  Cowboys seemed to have 15 central midfielders and were throwing everything through the middle. Monday struggled with the 4-3-3 formation against this relentless midfield barrage.  Cowboys had numerous chances to make it 2-0 and eventually it came through a penalty after Jim had brought down the Cowboys number 1 moaner. Stonewall pen unfortunately.

Monday had a couple of chances in the first half and were slowly but surely getting a foot hold in the fixture. Jason and Pills had shots from distance and Matt was making a nuisance of himself up top. Half time was 0-2 to Cowboys.

The 3rd choice manager decided to stick with it at the start of the 2nd half for the first 10 minutes and things were starting to look brighter. More possession and some frustrated Cowboys strikers all contributed to Monday starting to get on top in the fixture. Chances were coming and Arron should have done better with a great through ball from Matt and nearly got on the end of another only for it to roll agonisingly wide just before his pace could get him there. 10 years ago maybe!

After 10 minutes, things were changed up, and Monday went to a 4-4-2 formation with Arron dropping to the bench and Morgs coming on.

Cowboys were now definitely on the back foot and nearly immediately Monday brought it back to 2-2 with 2 quick fire goals. Matt got the first after some excellent build up play and bumbled it across the line from a Jason head on.

Morgs then got the 2nd with an excellent finish from 25+ yards out. He was given too much time and space and fired it home into the top corner.

Things were starting to unravel for Cowboys and even their keeper got a yellow for kicking the ball away. Totally unnecessary. 

Monday went 3-2 up through a Cowboys own goal. Their stalwart central defender (TJ) attempting to kick the ball away only to spin it backwards over his keeper's head!

Cowboys eventually took one of their numerous chances to make it 3-3 and that's how the game ended. Probably a fair result given the swing in momentum between the 2 halves.

A lovely morning to play football on a small but good pitch overall. Some good football played and it's nice to know that we have the 4-4-2 in the bag when the time is right! Still unbeaten!

MOM - Very difficult to pick just one person given the team effort in the 2nd half.  And that is reflected in the Teamer voting as numerous players got one vote and nobody got 2 or more!