Whitton Wanderers 4 v Feltham Youth 0

Today we visited the home of Champions Whitton Wanderers and went down to a defeat that although looks heavy, doesn’t reflect the hard work we put in . This was the first match this season that we have failed to score in and despite having an even amount of play we rarely troubled the home keeper.

  On a chilly spring morning at Lampton School the Blues were soon on the back foot as the home side forced us to defend deep. However for the first 20 minutes we defended very well and looked to have the measure of Whitton as we came back into the game and created a few half chances. Joe had dealt with most shots comfortably and Daniel, Marco, Lewis and Adam were coping comfortably with the quick forwards from Whitton. As so often in Football we then made a couple of errors in possession of the ball and a cross from the right was slotted home at the far post to give Whitton the lead. The home side soon increased their lead with a good goal , a shot that found the corner of our net. Half time came at the right time for the visitors as Whitton threatened to take control of the game.

  We regrouped at half time and settled down to play some good football at times although we were often stifled by the tight marking of our midfield players and also tight marking of Turnell by the home defence. Half way through the second half Whitton made it three when we were caught ball watching and allowed the home forward to wait for the ball to drop and half volley home for a good strike. We now had our best period of the match and began to get behind the home defence a few times with both Nathan and Sam producing good shots. The boys never gave up and can be pleased with their commitment all through the match. Two minutes from time Whitton made it four with a goal that should never have been allowed as on two occasions leading up to the goal the same three home forwards were yards offside however the Ref failed to look at the Linesman and even the home supporters and officials agreed on this.

  As with the home match with Whitton we played well at times in the match but our mistakes against good sides are punished and this was the case again today. Whitton are a good side with clever players and a strong midfield and defence. This is the standard that we will need to achieve next season if we are to compete and I asked the boys to learn from their mistakes today i.e. loosing possession too easily in danger areas and to stop ball watching and get a head or foot in. We also need to toughen up a little and be stronger in the tackle as today we lost too many tackles because we backed off. Three more matches left and next week we have another difficult away trip to Epsom and Ewell.

  Thanks today to the parents who supported the boys and to the young referee who will learn from his mistakes. Thanks to Gary and his Whitton side who we have enjoyed two hard games with this season but we will learn more from playing good sides like this than from some of the easier ones. Hope to see you next season.

Squad – Joe , Lewis , Adam , Sam , Daniel , Marco , John Jo , Nathan , Anthony , Leon , Turnell , Simon , Daniel Q