Match Report

Saturday 7th September 2013

 

Cardiff & District Under 16 A Division

 

Pontprennau

 

Pentwyn Dynamos 3 - 3 Rhiwbina FC

Taylor, Gibbins (2)

 

The opening day and already one of the toughest matches of the season.

We are stronger this season having added several quality players to the squad, but as it was the first match - and Rhiwbina - I wasn't sure what to expect from us. So I told the boys to concentrate on playing our passing game, stay disciplined and try to control the game.

 

We were great - we ran the first half and limited Rhiwbina to a 5 minute spell and only a couple of counter attacks. We took the lead on 8 mins through Ryan - latching onto a through ball and passing the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

 

We continued to press - and looked really threatening, our passing was quick and you could see the new faces were making a difference. We went further ahead on 20 mins through Dan - a sweet left footed volley in off the bar.

 

We then went 3-0 up through a penalty - for handball in the box. Dan stepped up and dispatched it well. With around 10 mins left until half time I thought if we could keep a clean sheet until the break we were looking good for the win.

 

Just before half time Rhiwbina were awarded a free kick just outside the box - and Jacob hit an unstoppable shot into the corner - leaving Brad with no chance. Matty then had to come off with an injury which was a shame as he had been excellent.

 

The second half was a different game - Rhiwbina became a lot more physical and cynical - winding our players up and throwing us off our game. It became an intense, bad tempered match that the ref lost control of. We took the bait and some of our players started diving in too - and from here on it was one bad challenge after another from both teams.

Rhiwbina do it so well when they look like they are beaten - they continually launched long balls and turned the game in their favour.

 

Rhiwbina soon got a second goal and we started to look like we were hanging on a little - but

I changed our shape and we regained our composure and steadied the ship.

Just when I felt we could close the game out we made that one error - possibly our only real mistake of the entire game - that cost us. A mix up between goalkeeper and centre back saw the ball bounce to a striker, who made it 3-3.

 

Late on a Rhiwbina player fell awkwardly and it looked likely that he had broken his wrist. This signalled the end of the match as we were all more concerned with the well being of the player. I hope he recovers quickly and is soon back playing football.

 

In summary - An excellent first half, we played all the football but didn't adapt quickly enough to long ball tactics. A draw was propbably fair as Rhiwbina bossed the second half. Not many sides will get anything off Rhiwbina so a draw is a solid start - and we will only get better as the team gels.