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An entertaining game and more importantly a great experience for both teams as Maccabi GB, a Jewish Community Project had organised the game at Wingate Finchley FC's home ground which meant both teams would experience playing on a larger pitch, a lovely pitch and to add excitement, square goals like we see on TV at pro level.
In a week where Kick Racism Out of Football where active across the country this was a fixture that proved football was a global game as HMM FC are from the Jewish community and of course Freeflow predominantly Asian. This game also witnessed debuts for five Freeflow Academy players, Arjun, Jay, Reece, Liam and James.
The 1st Half Action: Freeflow started the better and pinned HMH in their own half. Most of the play was the on right wing via through balls from midfield (Harj) and Jag running at the left back and Jaspreet overlapping in support. The breakthrough came from Jag after classy creative play from Harjeet and Manvir. In the end it was a tap in but a deserved lead, 1:0. Freeflow continued to press and keep the ball but missed many chances till Manvir slotted home one on one with keeper after another defense splitting pass from the quick thinking Harjeet, 2:0.
As most of Freeflows play was on the right Sunil was introduced in the first period to add variation and more options on the left. Within moments of coming on he tested the goalkeeper and then stole the ball of a defender and finished with ease with his trusty left foot, 3:0 and half-time.
2nd Half, and what a half: At the break Freeflow made changes and were warned against any complacency. Freeflow started the second half well but one long ball was misjudged by the defense and goalkeeper and HMH scored into an empty net, 3:1 and they celebrated in style. The home team was obviously rallied at this point and started an amazing 1 minute period which saw three goals. First they pulled another goal back from a long ball that should not have been allowed to bounce, 3:2. From the kick-off Jag came of his position to the half-way line and skipped in out of the half a dozen defenders and tucked the ball neatly under the goal-keeper, what a goal and the smooth silky individual run was like that of Ricardo Kaka, 4:2. But from HMH's kick-off they piled men forward and forced home another goal, 4:3 and the pressure was really now on Freeflow who had dominated the game and never looked like loosing but they were warned at half-time and realised to late.
Amandeep the captain rallied the players along with new boy Arjun and Amardeep and Freeflow maintained their passing game and rhytham till another debutant Liam struck a fierce angled shot which took a cruel deflection and sent the ball over the unfortunate goal-keeper, 5:2. This was a sucker punch to HMH and Freeflow finished the game like they had started. Before the end Freeflow created many clear cut close ranger sitters but failed to even hit the target. Manvir eventually got his second goal that he had threatened and Sunil struck a sweet angled shot into the far corner whilst off balance, 7:3.
Reflection time: This proved to be a very good game for the neutral and Freeflow in the end deserved victory and by a larger margin. HMH do deserve credit though as they looked like leveling the score. Freeflow in future will need to use the full width of the pitch and when in wide areas near the goal the final ball needs to be more effective, unpredictable and clever. Freeflow must also be more clinical in front of goal as they should have had seven goals by half time to kill the opposition off just be more ruthless in front of goal.
Overall Freeflow need to guard against complacency in future games regardless of the score at any point in the match.
The Starting Line up: Adam (GK), Arjun, Amardeep, Kamel, Jaspreet, Aran, Amandeep, Harjeet, Jay, Jag, Manvir.
Subs: Sunil, Reece, Liam, Albert, James (GK), Nav.
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Amandeep, a solid performance and his leadership qualities inspired his teammates when under pressure. |
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Jaspreet showed enthusiasm and always supported attacks and always tracked back on a very large pitch. |
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Sunil scored two goals clinically and was lively upfront with his movement. |
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Amardeep led the backline, communicated to his teammates and always played the right ball. |
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Harjeet was the creative force in midfield with switch passes, diagonal passes and through passes. | |
