The 7ners played host to Olton & West Warwick 5s. Olton were undoubtedly the team with the better ability. They were possibly a league above the 7ners in individual ability. We were in the same league last year and they ran away with it having finished the season with 19 wins out of the 20 league games played. They scored 114 goals and only let in 7. Had the league structure not changed … we would not be in the same league. So even before the whistle went, we knew this would be a tough match for us. From the start of the match the 7ners were under pressure. They had youth, speed, stick skills, they ran through players and passed well in their numerous attacks – all of which was causing us problems.

However they came up against a 7ners team who showed a grit determination to work hard for the team and focus on the basic skills we had. We worked hard at keep our discipline, marking well, blocking spaces they tried to exploit and keeping their attacks wide as much as we could. Our defence was resilient. We escaped the pressure with runs of our own down either wing, some lead to opportunities and some just gave us a respite from the pressure of their much stronger midfield and attack. We lasted 26 minutes and then they got their break through. 0-1. A simple goal … we were caught out. They broke through!

The half time chat called for a change of formation and structure to create more strength and help to our overstretched midfield. Adam Holden had done a remarkable job but we questioned whether we could do this for another 35 minutes. So we lost a forward but created a central triangle of a midfield for Olton to contend with.

The second half started very much like the first as Olton themselves tried new ideas varying their attacking manoeuvres and including creating more movements from their attackers and several swapping changes to try and break out resilient marking in defence. The pressure on the 7ners defence remained, but their work rate remained. We had our chances, but so did they. In the end the pressure counted and a goal line scramble meant a penalty flick was rightly awarded for a foul by George on the goal line. A weak flick ended up in the net due to an unfortunate slip by our keeper with only 9 minutes remaining.

The 7ners fought to the end and did everything from doggedly defending several short corners to making several attacking moves of our own.

Final score 0-2. A loss and a defeat for the 7ners, but one of those that didn’t feel that bad. Did not feel bad as we produced a team display to be proud of. Every member of the team worked their socks of, gave for the team, covered each other and should be proud of their performance. The only ill discipline we showed today was probably my own fault for a lack of a debrief at the end of the game where the frustrations of working hard and having no points to show for it led to some criticisms of how each other played. It was not necessary nor fair as we really did put on a great team performance with each person doing as much as they could. No points, but really a game that shows what we are capable of.