O35s Cup: EMFC 4 v 0 Retainers FC

22nd October, 2023 Clifton College Sports Ground

TEAM: Josh, Henry, Andy, Jason H, Craig, Simon R, Stu K, Jon, Guy, Morgs, Rob.

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Morgs observed before kick off..."The opposition did a proper team warm up, including that training routine where one player is in the middle and tries to win the ball back. They then played the following 90 mins like they’ve never played football together." It was a lovely bright sunny morning and the teams gave a minutes silence before kick off in the memory of the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton. Monday were down to a bare 11 with new boy Henry Jones making his youth team debut. It was an historic event as as his old man (Steve) was playing for the O50’s on the same day. With only 11 players and some carrying knocks it forced the Blues to be conservative and efficient with the ball. The game started brightly with some lovely build up play from the Monday. Passes were only played if it was on. Jason Hughes at the back was very calm on the ball.

Retainers back four were tracking runners at the start and that created space for the Monday midfield to have a few shots from range.

The first Monday goal came after a great long range pass from Josh was brought down by Guy. His shot was cleared haphazardly falling to Cummins feet, which slowed it down enough for Stu Kelly to come in at speed for a strong curling strike that took it through their flapping goalkeeper.

Pressure started to build from there and now the Monday wingers were getting in behind. Guy cutting inside and shooting and Si hitting the byline and knocking balls across.

A few missed chances but the pressure was pulling the Retainers back line out of position.

The second Monday goal came via a nice move out from defence again to Guy, who played it into Morgs' feet, who in turn distributed it back out to Guy continuing his run down the left. He crossed it perfectly low and hard for new boy Rob to tap in.

After some great play from Craig down the left Guy rifled a third into the corner.

A few missed chances in front of goal and with the last kick of the half, Morgs blazed a shot over and pulled his calf. The outcome, with only 11 men meant he spent the second half in goal with Josh going up top with a smile bigger than his XXXXL shirt.

Second half started in the same fashion. The ball usage was brilliant with switches of play and balls between the lines really cutting Retainers apart.

Si was played in a few times but the balls across the six yard box couldn't get converted. Retainers tried to play out from goal kicks but they didn't have the legs to offer anything so they were forced under pressure to hit the ball out or straight to the Blue centre backs.

The Monday back four were ruthlessly efficient with their clean up and launching each attack as Captain for the day Andy Makepeace observed… ‘"It felt like their strikers were getting very frustrated with Jason and I taking the ball off them with ease every time it came near them. I think they may have only managed one or two shots in the whole game - neither of which troubled Josh or Morgs."

Josh was going gun ho, his time to shine clearly at the forefront of his mind. And Rob hit the post with a great shot.

Simon R scored the fourth from another nice cross into a dangerous area from Guy.

Morgs told his millions of TikTok followers… “We totally outclassed the opposition and they barely had a sniff of the ball in our final third. Stu K and Jon C controlled the midfield and our defence was virtually impenetrable. Josh was bored until he swapped positions with me.” Josh later told Sky Sports… “Nothing for me to do apart from a few laps of my 18 yard box to keep warm in the first half, second half tried to make a nuisance of myself up front after Morgs went in goal through injury…and ultimately made more saves than I had to today! Loads of talking, bags of composure and a sharp performance from everyone.”

French Jon summed it up when he told Canal+ Sport after the game… “It was a good solid performance around the pitch albeit the opposition was poorer than what we are used to so that did made our lives really easy. We were superior in all areas of the pitch. Solid defensively, superior in midfield and stronger upfront. Even a bit floppy and too easy at time. Could have been 10 - 0 with a bit more pace and clinical finish.” MoM: Jason Hughes