Ramsbury FC continue their good pre-season form with an entertaining 8-5 win against a seasoned and well drilled Redhouse FC vets team. Team
Team: Ash (GK), Leigh, Adam, Chris (C), Dan, Skip, Zac Jonah, Charlie, Scott, Jason. Subs: Byron, Ali, Stoner, Rob, Oscar, Sam
Sean started with an orthodox 4-4-2 that looked a bit more like 4-3-3 as the attacking 2 was more like a 3 as players often pushed forward leaving gaps in midfield. Redhouse exploited these gaps well with a very strong midfield and scored quickly. However, Ramsbury responded well with 2 well taken goals from Sco
tt and the second one a superb team goal to make it 2-1. Ramsbury continued to push an attacking high line which Redhouse exploited and equalised to make it 2-2; and with Ramsbury giving away too many cheap fouls Redhouse scored again with a decent free kick to make it 3-2 at half time.
Sean made a number of changes with rolling subs to give the 16 players a decent run out and it was great to see Ali back with Ramsbury FC after a few seasons in the wilderness probably playing for BFG Utd in the Jolly Green Giant league? And also Stoner who had obviously not lost any of his desire to get stuck in, but unfortunately was a bit too eager and popped his shoulder out after a few industrial collisions and had to watch most of the game from the side line! Great to see both return to Ramsbury FC and hope the shoulder injury heals soon Stoner. Also good to see Sam back in the side and although a bit rusty (how did you miss that sitter from 2 yards out Sam as Stevie Wonder could have scored!!!) he did score the winner in the last friendly match and is a real handful up front.
The second half started really well as Ramsbury FC were awarded a blatant penalty and Rob stepped up and smashed it in to make it 3-3. There were then a number of changes made.
Sean rotated a number of players throughout the game and intentionally put some out of position to test them out. This worked in part but also got Redhouse FC back into the game with Ash, who we usually see in the blue and white of Ramsbury, smashing in a penalty after a blatant push by Charlie and then catching the defence flat footed and scoring a very good second to make it 5-3 and see Ramsbury FC on the back foot.
Ramsbury were frustrated but didn’t let their heads go down and although there were a few whinges and a few more changes that saw all subs get game time, the shape was still good and the midfield settled and started to pass better and get the ball over the Redhouse defence. Rob should really good feet on the left and Jason and Sam were a real handful and Charlie was really unlucky not to score with a great header that rattled off the cross bar!
Scott came back on and was a real menace up front alongside Jason and scored a quick fire hat trick to make it 6-5 to Ramsbury with Jason adding another to make it 7-5 as Redhouse started to fade and Ramsbury looked much the fitter. Zac came back on and slipped a great ball to Jason who smashed a fantastic shot into the top right corner to make it 8-5 and pretty much end the game. The score stayed 8-5 at the final whistle after a strong 20 minute blitz by Ramsbury that saw a well-earned win.
There was much to take away from this friendly match: with the need to stick to the formation to avoid gaps in midfield, that Ramsbury FC have players that can pass well. defend well and can score goals, Set piece defending needs to be better, but Adam, Jonah and Leigh were exceptional in defence and supported Chris who was very strong in the air as per usual and missed no headers! Midfield looked good with skips, Zac, Byron using space well and getting the ball forward to Ali, Jas, Scott and Sam who were always a threat. Oscar did well at right back although still strange not to see him in goal and Ash was good value and admitted to only being responsible for one of the goals and Dan did well replacing Chris although not his natural position.
Finally, the sq
uad looks strong this season with more players to join and with over 20 players good competition for game time and that is always healthy. Great result and still lots to work to do, but some great goals against decent opposition and, importantly, really good mentality and spirit. .
Jon
