Gower Allstars vs Virgin - Group cup - match report

The Allstars were outfought, out-thought and out-played in the group cup against Virgin.
Despite taking an early lead, set-up from a fine move by Blandy down the right wing, and finished off by Medley, which was later doubled by Medley again after a cameo from Jamie in midfield, the Allstars were mostly outplayed in the first half by an entirely different Virgin side that lost heavily to Phoenix the week before.

Virgin were quick on the ball, decisive in defence and hungry to win every challenge – and they should have pulled back a goal, when they were awarded a penalty from a rash and late challenge by Ossack that was on the edge of the area.

Luckily Glyn pulled out a first class penalty save, and the Allstars went into half-time somewhat fortunate to be 2-0 up.

A stern team-talk at half time asking for composure, and confidence, seemed to have zero effect, when immediately from kick off the Virgin players practically walked straight through the heart of the Allstars midfield AND defence and scored within 1 minute of the restart.

2-1 and this should have given the Allstars the kick up the arse they needed.

But no. Virgin were still quicker to the ball, and hungrier to win. The Allstars defence continued to be dominated, and severely lacked a physical commanding presence, to stick their foot in, show their worth and win the challenge. This problem was exacerbated by the lack of midfielders contributing in a defensive manner – so the problems never went away, with Gower continually giving the ball away, and facing attack after attack from a dangerous Virgin front 4.
An equaliser was inevitable and it came from a long curling shot into the corner of the net for which Glyn had no chance.

2-2
Whilst the Allstars were trying, they were not trying hard enough. It needed an extra 50% from every player out there, to give their absolute all. It needed someone to control the game and dominate. But it didnt come.

Shortly after, a short corner caught the defence napping, despite screams to close them down, and an embarrassingly soft pass along the 6 yard box, was tapped in by the Virgin striker to take the deserved lead.

3-2
The odd break on the counter was the only chance Gower seemed to find of scoring, but it was Virgin again, who attacked and allowed the left back space to plant a great shot over Glyn into the top corner.

4-2
It was nothing more than Virgin deserved after dominating the majority of the attacks in the game.

With 12 mins to go, the Allstars finally woke up and started taking the game to Virgin when they suddenly realised they had to – using Johnny and Owen to better effect, which created a final flurry when they pulled one back with 5 mins to go – after a quality but rare run down the wing, Hurly crossed to set-up a debut tap-in for Erik.

4-3 and with a few mins left, a couple of half chances went begging, and the final whistle then blew.

The Allstars were outplayed by a good virgin side today.

And it is clear we are yet to kick into gear our season. There was no possession, no composure today, and no fight on that pitch. Incredibly frustrating to watch.

But its not down to talent. The Allstars had enough ammunition to make easy work of a Virgin side struggling for confidence themselves. But virgin were the ones with the belief on the pitch today.

So what is it?
Is it an expectancy for things to go your way? Is it not trying hard enough? Or is it not having the fight in your belly?

Whatever the root problem was – next week each and every one of the Allstars need to find some grit, some determination, some focus and concentration, and put a huge 100% effort in against Phoenix 2pm Regents Pk Sunday, to turn this horrible start completely round, and get our first crucial 3 points of the season, in our first league game. We are all capable of turning this round.

You are not gonna win the title, without digging in deep, and showing your worth.
Its time to stand up physically and mentally, think about your game all week, and raise it.
Its about getting back to basics, losing the flicks and fancy passes and soft challenges, and then winning at all costs Sunday.

Run like you haven’t done before, put your body on the line and we can have no complaints.
Enough said.

This week cant go quick enough.