Brayden Brags
THE L AND THE P
New Brighton vs Cashmere Wanderers
1-3
Spreydon Reserve
In developing a culture of soccer success, senior coaches Poole and Stewart have stressed the needs to listen and play, learn and perform: in effect the Land P. It is a culture they say that will ensure that Brighton develops both character and depth to perform at the higher levels of club football in the future.
This strategy has two obvious but key components. We must know where to be on the field and must know what to do both with or without the football. It must be said that at least on Saturday players were trying the LnP. We tried to pass. We tried to move. We even tried to score. In all aspects of the game we tried. Success alas is something that will have to wait for another week.
There were positives. Some decent interchanges in the first half from good support work and communication. Several chances were lofted into the opposition penalty box without reward. Jirke had some foraging runs into the attacking third and Ryan J got some decent crosses over. Adam Baxter tackled with some purpose earning him his first yellow, and two Marks, ‘Chopper’ Falcingham and ‘In-the sticks’ Mark, both turned in good displays.
The second half was lackadaisical.
So we look for positives and try to learn from our mistakes
All complaints, gripes, concerns, with this column – direct to Barry Rawlings.
Brades
CHARACTER AND CONFUSION
New Brighton vs University
2-1
University Oval
New Brighton showed character from amidst confusion, for a come-from-behind win against Universities at the Oval on Saturday. The lapses started when half the team had to be herded to the right ground after a wayward email sent them astray. Confusion further followed when it appeared Brighton would start with ten men when Charlie H and new signee Zabeh G were nowhere to be found. Comedy threatened to loom into farce when it was discovered there was no referee, and no-one it seemed had a whistle. Yet despite all this a match began and Brighton set to the task.
University started the stronger and controlled possession for the first twenty, with only raggedy luck keeping the sheet clean. Ironically on the half hour when both an eleventh player and a whistle appeared, Brighton succumbed with a gift of a goal. That deficit was soon regained when Jamie Emerson gathered the ball on the edge and took it past two defenders for a well-drilled shot to the bottom left corner.
The second half started with a protracted arm-wrestle which was won eventually by Brighton who, especially through the work of Nick Leith in the centre of the pitch, were able to capitalise on a good share of possession with a goal to Ryan Johnson off a free kick. The game then see-sawed for the remaining twenty-five with some fine defensive clearances from Mark Falkingham leading a gutsy defensive last quarter. Players were tired having not one substitute and showed tremendous character for this team’s first win.
May 5 2007
"The weather was where the positives ended."
Score: New Brighton 1 Shirley Boys High School 3
Venue: Shirley Boy's High School
May in the northern hemisphere is springtime. The promises of daffodils, summer, and FA cup finals, makes everyone happy and excited. May in Kiwiland is generally the opposite. The forecast is usually bleak, roses die, and the Chatham Cup rouses about as interest as the next David Tua fight.
Last Saturday however was a pleasant exception to the norm. The weather was bright and sunny, and the promise of some attractive football beckoned.
For the New Brighton Development Leaguers the celebrations ended there, at the promises; the football (in climactic terms) was drizzly, damp and wet!
The team could be forgiven for not having time to gel as a unit; new combinations were being trialled, but that would be making excuses. The team could be further forgiven for lost prep time after three players were sent to the wrong changing room, but again, excuses.
For the Brighton faithful, praise could hardly be forthcoming. 'Most woeful', might be said of Faavae's first-half gaff that led to Shirley's first goal. 'Most painful', might be attributed to the experience of lasting ninety minutes as a sideline spectator. 'Agonising' the word for how best to describe the team's capitulation to a smaller, younger and less experienced side.
It's not as though Shirley played all that well however. Coach 'Big Norm' commented after the match that he was content they scored three goals, but not that pleased with how they coped with their share of possession (he meant he thinks they should have scored more!). At least they had some possession to cope with, Brighton just seemed to squander theirs.
Those looking for positives from the Brighton performance need look no further than Caleb McNabb who worked hard all game, for a backed-up stand-out performance. Brendon Foster contested well and shored up the midfield in a second half switch from striker. Nick Leith gave some good options and combined well on the left with brother Ben for some nice passing interchanges. New signing Zabeh G (don't ask me to spell his name yet please) added impact off the bench and worked a nice byline run which led to the team's only goal.
There were signs at times of the more decisive team that played Cashmere a week earlier. These were however too few and far between.
Let's hope there's more than the sun shining at Bexley this weekend
Brades
PS (All complaints about this report and any other business related to the coaching of this team should be directed to Baz)