Stones Athletic Report - 17/10/21

 Stones Athletic 3-2 Tilbury Youth - 17/10/21

Played on a 9-a-side pitch with 11-a-side goals. Pitch in very good condition, ball running and bouncing well.

GOALS

4' - Stones 1-0. Very quick counter attack led by the #10 (Coussens), who drove centrally through several challenges before setting up #8 (Upson). He squared it to the #3 (Sutton), who had bombed forward to create an overload, for a tap in.

30' - Tilbury 1-1. Free kick on the edge of the box is blocked by the wall, the ball ricochets around in the penalty area before falling to #10 (Wakeling) who finished well.

32' - Stones 2-1. Long, central goal kick is not dealt with and #8 (Upson) turns well on halfway. Breaks clear from defence, attempts to lob the goalkeeper but is denied before following up the rebound for an easy finish.

HT 2-1

42' - Stones 3-1. Long goal kick is once again not dealt with on the bounce, Stones have three players over and work the ball well for the #3 (Sutton) for a simple finish on the angle.

62' - Tilbury 3-2. Cross from the left flank nodded home at the far post. #12 loses his man.

FT 3-2.

SYSTEMS

- Started the game in a very rigid 3-5-2, with the wing-backs very high when in possession, playing direct and centrally.

Off the ball, the wing-backs became defensive with the #6 slotting back into a CDM role, seeing a more 5-1-2-1. This proved hard to break down, particularly from the wider areas.

- When in possession, the wing-backs pushed high to provide an outlet although the #6 held position on halfway, supporting the back 3 who were relatively narrow. A 3-1-4-2 was predominately seen throughout the game. The LCB consistently had to support the LWB (#12) who looked lost at times.

- When in last 10 minutes, Tilbury dominating and so reverted to effectively a 5-4-1. #8 the lone striker as the taller #3 moved into CM and the wing backs dropped into the defensive full back role. Very well organised and dealt with most threats from down the flanks, whilst bodies in the midfield broke the play up.

- Overall, seems to prefer a 3 at the back formation, mainly a 3-5-2. Plenty of bodies in the midfield allowed for turnovers and advanced wing-backs created width against what looked like a Tilbury 4-4-2. Two quick and skillful strikers carried a constant goal threat, whilst the creative #10 was often given license to roam freely across the midfield 3.

DEAD BALL SITUATIONS.

- Offensive corners - First in 27th min saw 7 players in the penalty area, with a 2 vs 1 on halfway and nobody in between the two. Later on in the game, in the 58th minute, only 4 players entered the box, with a 5 vs 3 on halfway.

- Defensive corners - First in 18th minute saw 9 outfield players in the area with 1 left up field. Mainly man-to-man with the spare men zonal. The keeper punches on this occasion, and was very confident in coming for the ball on corners. 3 minutes later the keeper misses the punch leading to a scoring chance at the far post, with balls to the far post on corners causing havoc for Stones.

- Offensive free kicks - Very typical throughout with shots from central areas, and deliveries from wide areas. Not too aggressive when attacking the ball. Notable that #10 shot from 40 yards with no wall, on target and forced keeper into making a save.

- Defensive free kicks - Not too much to note other than weakness with balls to far post. Walls generally set up well, and did block FK that led to the first goal.

- Throw ins - One long throw from #10 late on. Good distance on it but nobody to aim at with many players hanging back due to nature of the scoreline. Worth looking out for.

- Goal kicks - Mainly taken by defender with the occasional one from goalkeeper. Didn't have much distance on them. Always went long, not one short kick at all.

STRENGTHS

- Creating the first goal and numerous other opportunities, Stones were rapid on the counter attack. With both strikers high, and supporting wing-backs pushing on, overloads or 1-on-1 situations were often created, in which Stones had the better of all afternoon.

- The ability to utilise the #10s ball carrying skills created a number of counter attacks in central areas, despite support being available on the flanks.

- Willingness to both work the ball into the area and shoot from distance. Unpredictability was a factor especially for the goals, going both direct and playing some good football allowed for a number of openings to be created.

- Using the long ball was effective due to the inability to deal with bouncing balls by the defense. The two strikers linked up well, both on the scoresheet and able to build attacks and create chances off the long-ball. Impressive and not often seen at the level.

- May also be seen as a negative, but Stones knew when to commit fouls. Game management was superb throughout, and even two yellow cards were issued out due to tactical fouls, an invaluable trait for any hard to beat team.

- Moments of individual quality all over the park. Quick footwork, 30 yard driving runs or pinpoint passes from a range of players allowed for a good flow to the play, combining the aforementioned nastiness with flair and skill.

- The bodies in the midfield meant for general control of scrappy periods. Tilbury typically unable to break through when the play was broken up, and although not necessarily creating chances, physicality and willingness in the middle of the park meant Stones didn't allow for easy openings from half-chances.

- Big drop-kicks from the keeper. Created the 2nd and 3rd goal with long, high kicks. Very useful to any team with quick forwards.

- Early in the second half, Stones were on the back foot but quickly wrestled back control. The RWB (#9) remained high and his quick feet and good delivery added a new dimension to the play that remained central for most of the first half. A tweak of play style to use the wide areas very quickly regained them some control in the game.

-  Stamina and fitness was phenomenal. Minimal changes made, and the team never looked tired, working hard until the end under constant pressure.

- Adaptability played a big part in the victory. The change to a 5-4-1 for the final 15 minutes was fluid, and even with changes Stones looked a threat going forward and largely resolute at the back. To adapt between two formations under pressure was impressive.

- Finally, game management in the final few minutes was excellent. Fouls when necessary, standing over free kicks, and generally breaking up the flow of the game, meant Tilbury were never able to sustain pressure over longer periods, and attacks became frequent but disjointed. 

WEAKNESSES

- Although wide play was evident at the start of the second half, Stones were very narrow and central for most of the game. This became somewhat predictable and led to a lack of goalscoring threat past the hour mark.

- Too many players trying the 'Hollywood' flicks and tricks that lost them possession in key areas. This was mainly in the first half and wasn't so evident in the second period.

- Goalkeeping at corners. The keeper seemed very gung-ho and although punched the ball well on a couple of occasions, seemed to come out for every ball and often ended up in no man's land.

- Stones RCB (#13) misjudging two bouncing balls in as many minutes. Had Tilbury been more aggressive off long balls, this may have led to goalscoring chances.

- Failure to effectively clear set-pieces. Led to first goal and a couple of other chances, with players not getting a clean connection and/or putting the ball back into dangerous areas.

- Two far post runners left unmarked at a set piece in the first half. The ball was overhit but far post deliveries proved an issue as the wide centre-backs and wing-backs seemed to have a lack of communication. Second goal came from this.

- Weaker goal kicks played them into trouble. The midfield were unable to deal with the ball when being pressed and often lost the ball or put the ball out of play.

- Long, bouncing balls were an issue. A number of Tilbury chances came from direct, central play where bounces were misjudged.

- Despite changing formation, possibly naturally or tactically, Stones surrendered all possession in the final 20 minutes and created next to nothing going forwards. Although hanging on very well, balls out of defence didn't go anywhere and possession was turned over.

- Most of the defending in the area was very last-ditch, and whilst effective, Stones struggled to get any conviction on clearances and when balls were bombarding the area in stoppage time, plenty of ricochets and mis-kicks created chances that Tilbury should have converted.