Asterix Reds 5 - 3 British High Commission (Friendly)

Another improved performance saw us win comfortably against a decent British High Commission side under floodlights at Club Aman.

We started with a high tempo; kept possession of the football and were duly rewarded with a 4 - 0 lead after 25 minutes. The scorers of the first four goals were Adam with 2, Andy Johnston and Stuart Cavens. One of the goals was particularly special. The move began deep in our own half. A couple of sharp passes and good movement got us up to the halfway line. A great ball released Shashi down the right who's low first time cross was buried past the keepers right hand. It was a beautiful piece of football and would have a been a quality goal by any team at any level. An absolute pleasure to watch and a goal you should all be proud of. The High Comm team got one back when we were again punished from a corner. Andy Johnston then restored the four goal margin with a great individual effort. A couple of good stops from Alan Boden kept the score at 5-1 at half time.

We tired in the second half and our football suffered. The High Comm came at us with more purpose and had the lion's share of possession and chances. They scored two more - both from corners - and we relied on a few good stops from Alan in goal to keep them down to 3. 5- 3 was how it ended.

We played as well as we have done in the first 30 minutes of the first half. We played with a high tempo and focused on completing passes such that we retain possession. Our energy levels were fantastic. The movement off the ball was also very good. We all wanted the ball, all the time which is great to see. I was also impressed by our decision making on the ball which helped us to keep possession. We kept our passing very simple; playing the ball the way we're facing. It's these first few passes that allow us to create quality possession from which we can we can create quality chances. This plus a high work rate enabled us to get men in the box. Also good was our play from the back. The full backs both did a good job of taking the ball off the keeper and distributing the ball to feet. Our wide play was also very good in both halves. It was great to see the wingers stay wide and use the space in front of them to good effect.

My only concerns were two-fold:

Dealing with corners: 5 of the last 6 goals we've let in have been from corners. All should have been prevented. We have to realize that we have a problem here which we need to fix. The goals have been caused because we're either leaving people unmarked or not putting in a strong enough challenge. We've each got to pick up a player on a corner. Stay with your man, and make yourself count in the challenge. It's simple lads. Let's make sure we fix it this weekend.

Maintaining our tempo for the whole game: We've had fantastic starts to the last two games we've played but have dropped our tempo as we've tired. I encourage you all to make the effort to make it along to training on Thursdays as well as do some additional fitness work of your own in the early part of the week. Increased fitness level will help us play at a high tempo for the entire match.

Lads, we're making great progress as a team. This weekend is our last friendly before the season starts; let's use it to keep developing our passing and moving game, treat possession of the ball like gold and ensure we defend set pieces properly. 

Get yourselves along to training on Thursday.