Peninsula 3 Storm 2

Another good performance and another narrow loss. I thought we were much better this week than we were against Gorge. In our game at Claremont I felt we were a bit flat and lacked some of the zip we had against JDF. However in our game last Saturday we came out flying and were well worth our 2-1 lead at half. It was a pleasure to watch. We won plenty of loose balls in the midfield, our decision making was good and our passing was quick and strong. I was especially pleased how we didnt let their first goal affect our game - we came right back down the field and replied with our second goal. In fact we probably could have and should have had a bigger lead at half, and that would have been nice considering our lack of substitutes.

I thought this was the biggest deciding factor in the outcome of the game. In the second-half our energy sagged and they took full advantage to score two goals to take victory. Even so we had a couple of good chances at 2-2 to score and missed them both, so we will spend some more time on finishing at practice this week.

We have Lakehill next Saturday at Braefoot and I expect another tough opponent. If we can find and keep the same tempo and passing game we had against Peninsula for the first 30 minutes then I think we'll be fine.

Thursday Practice

We couldn't get the field for 5:30pm tonight so practice is still 7pm.

Storm 0 Gorge 1

Much of what we did well against Juan de Fuca deserted us against Gorge. We just didn't seem to have the zip and confidence we showed against JDF and despite having possession in their end for good stretches of play we didn't once seriously trouble their keeper.

And once again we got punished for one moment of lack of concentration. That's pretty rough-justice considering Gorge didnt get another shot on goal, but luck has a way of evening itself so I'm sure we'll be rewarded for our play soon enough.

I was very pleased with our defense - in particular I thought Lily, Holly and Emma were very strong - but we didn't win enough of the ball in midfield and when we did we didn't make the right pass or decision often enough. We were also slow to close-down their players. On the plus-side I thought we carried most of the play in the second-half, which is amazing considering we had one sub and they had four.

Their goal was a classic example of losing posession of the ball in midfield and five seconds later watching it go into your net. Actually we didn't really have possession, but we should have. Instead our communication was very poor and our indecision allowed a Gorge player to gain possession and put a thru-ball for their forward to run onto. Not sure how the ball managed to squeeze between our defenders and Leah, but that seems to be our luck at the moment. One shot all game and they score - that's hard to stomach! But make no mistake, the actual damage was done when we lost possession. Remember - if we have the ball, the other team cant score.

This Saturday we have Peninsula at Blue Heron Park. Consensus among other U13 coaches suggest they're one of the teams to beat along with Bays United. We did well against Peninsula last season without getting the result our play deserved. Let's make sure we bring our "A" game this weekend and leave Blue Heron happy.

Juan de Fuca 2 Storm 0

As dissapointed as we might be with the result,

our first game of the season was an excellent performance. Our energy was excellent, our passing was good, and we kept our shape very well. What was needed was the finish to our approach play and I'm quite sure we would have had a different result. On another day against another gaolie I think we would scored easily.

Looking at the goals we conceded I was struck by how simple they were and how each was typical of goals scored at this level.

For the first we failed to deal with a cross from a indirect freekick and from there it was a simple tap-in amid the chaos of a goalmouth scramble. We must become accustomed to dealing with high balls into our penalty area from free-kicks and corners. We do this by ensuring we are always first to the ball, especially in the air where we must be fearless and get our head on the ball. Unless you are under no pressure, defenders or goalkeepers should never wait until the ball hits the ground. Remember, there is nowhere on a soccer field where communication is more important than the penalty area.

Their second goal was a long-ball which we didnt deal with at all. Their player did a good job of guessing our centre-half had misjudged the flight of the ball and ran onto the ball for a breakaway. This wasnt the first time it happened - Mia made some great saves prior to this - so it shouldnt have come as a surprise. Long balls can be combated by putting pressure on the passer and the centre-halves sitting deeper on the field in anticipation of the kick. As with high balls into our penalty area, with more experience it becomes easier to deal with the long-ball game.

In between their goals we played some very nice soccer and I'm sure any neutral would have been surprised we weren't winning. But its goals that win games, and the sooner we learn to take our chances the better.

Gorge Home Game

This Saturday's game is 12:30pm at Claremont Secondary. Please be there for 11:45am.

Saturday's Game

Location for our game is Juan de Fuca Field #1. Game time is 12:30pm so please be there for noonish. Here are directions:

Juan de Fuca Fields
Go south on Old Island Highway. Pass McDonald's on your right. Turn left at Ocean Drive (there are lights here) and then turn left again almost immediately. The skating arena should be on your left and you will come to an intersection. Turn right, go down the hill and you are there. Look for our white tent on the first field on your left.

Reminder to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Saturday is supposed to be a scorcher so we need to ensure we stay hydrated and out of the sun as much as possible.

And get a good night's rest - NO SLEEPOVERS!

Tuesday Practice Time

Tuesday practice is 5:30pm, and not 7pm as previously shown.

Location remains Cordova Bay School.