M4 vs SW5 Match Report

Our Men’s 4s took the trip up the M11 to Saffron Walden for the second time in just over a month to face their M5, having narrowly lost to their M4 on match day 1.

With SW5 actually sitting higher in the league than their 4s, it was unclear what sort of opposition would line up against our bare 11.

One of the few lowlights for M4s this season has been starting slowly, and it was much the same here with the home team pressing forward earlier. Fortunately Roderic, on his first showing in goal all season, was in fine form to make some crucial saves.

This allowed us to build into the game, creating a couple of half chances and a penalty corner, but we fell behind after failing to clear a melee in the D. The returning ball was deftly deflected high into the net.

Playing a high press there was lots of pressure applied by SW5 - Jack and Sampi did sterling work to break up playing, drawing fouls and steadying the ship. Riley look assured, stepping out with the ball in an advanced sweeper position to add support to our midfield.

Sadly a second scrappy goal for SW put us two goals behind with 5 minutes of the first half remaining.

But - as we have all season - we kept positive when behind. Our main mission this game was to build up the play as a group, which made the exchange between Jannick and Matt (making his M4 academy debut ?) very satisfying. Nick P applying a cool finish to bring us back to 1-2 only a minute later.

The second half followed a similar pattern. The midfield cancelling each other out, and half chances at either end. We struggled to beat their central defensive pair (going through instead of round) and their general level of physically across the pitch.

With a rain starting to fall, a SW5 third goal was cruel - slotted home from the top of the D after a much disputed offence in the build-up that was considered briefly by the umpires, but ruled against.

A two week break will give this brilliant group an opportunity to regroup as we look forward to the challenges ahead, confident that a few small refinements (and a couple of extra bodies) will soon see us picking up points.