A glimpse of future potential?

The first half was a disaster. Whitehorse FC out played us from the start and they were rewarded by scoring 5 goals. We were all over the place with losing possession too easily and allowing Whitehorse to continually attack our goal end. Everyone was looking forward to half time to have a break from the seemingly endless goal assault. 

At half time, everyone knew what they had to do to improve and went into the second half determined to show our supporters and most importantly ourselves that we were better footballers if we really concentrated on our first touch and passing.

Slowly we started to gain confidence with each other, passing, supporting and sharing the ball around the team. Creating good build up play and were eventually rewarded with a goal that Sabi Kooner was able to finish. Finally we had broken through and scored an important goal for team morale. With renewed confidence that a goal brings. Harj Sohal intelligently placed a long pass into Sabi's path and he broke the offside trap with only the keeper to beat. The inexperienced keeper brought down Sabi and was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Sabi calmly took the penalty that he had won and slotted it past the replacement keeper. We showed Whitehorse FC that Knox Power won't be the same team next time we meet, we will be competitive and the second half of the season will be our resurrection.

Danny's tough day at the office

7-0 against 10 men Panthers. A below average performance from us with a battered and bruised Danny being the busiest of us all.

This loss was the tipping point for me. The team needs new players and a new outlook. Time to look at rebuilding from the back.

Master Tactician

I feel I am getting closer to cracking the Knox Power team code. I am aiming for stability and consistency from now on with my team selections, these two components have been missing from the team so far due to player availability, fitness and playing time.

I really like designing systems to assist me organise the team. They provide structure and routine that brings confidence to the players. There is nothing worse than feeling flustered and pressured in match conditions. I prefer to have everything prepared beforehand as I don't have much assistance on games days and therefore I know I can make a better decision.

The area that works the hardest each game is the midfield and I have designed a pairing system that matches two players to the formation. During the game two players will partner up in left and right configurations and will take up positions vacated by the previous players when substitutions are made.

My substitution system is based on 22.5min blocks. That way players are allotted an even amount of playing time as our league has a interchange system.

After several weeks and losses, I've decided to start using the traditional 442 formation. I've been trying to avoid using it but in the end I think the players aren't up to the other formations at this stage. So 442 is my baseline and will continue to use this for the remainder of the season.

2-0 loss at Lilydale's farm

Lilydale's ground was more a paddock than a pitch. We were waiting for the cows and sheep to wander through. Jokes were made about whether Seb Braeckevelt was going to be the first of us to get muddy as this was prime slide tackling conditions.

We started well creating some good chances with Andrew Merrall having a powerful shot miss slightly wide of the post. But Lilydale was able to turn the pressure against us and score 2 goals.

At half time, we knew we could get back into the game. The team worked the ball into a great scoring position with a flicked header onto Adam Deveson who coolly went around the goal keeper and finished with a clinical shot.

The opponent's claimed for offside and though the Lilydale linesman had kept the flag down and the referee allowed play to continue. He consulted with the linesman and deemed the goal offside.

We respected the referees decision, even though we felt robbed of an important goal. This event combined with 30 minutes of heavy rain really took the toll on our enthusiasm for this match.

Lilydale controlled the possession and the game became Lilydale's shooting practise. Fromt this moment on Danny Watson became our man of the match. He valiantly made Lilydale work hard in the second half to by making over fifteen saves and winning the muddiest player award from Seb.

It was a game where our passes were poor or players lost the ball. It really showed that we have a lot of hard work still to do to win our first match.

Encouraging improvements despite the scoreline

Our 5-0 loss to Gideons FC doesn't show the effort and enthusiasm that Knox Power had shown during the match. The team continued to be competitive at every stage of the match despite injuries occuring in the second half.

The backline partnership of Tyson Busch and Michael Dunlop anchored by Andrew Merrall was working well and by half time we had only conceded once. Danny Watson returning to goal was impressed with the performance and covering support.

Everyone was uplifted at half time with our best first half performance of the season so far. What was to follow was unfortunate as we suffered with injuries which changed the flow of possession and advantage towards our opponents. We were unable to continue the pressure of the first half and Gideons FC were able to press and break us down over the remaining 45 minutes.

The team showed good spirit throughout the match and it is a credit to them to keep believing despite the results each week. It is character building to suffer losses each week, but the players have been brilliant, giving it their all and not complaining or moaning whilst we aim to understand each others playing style within the squad. 

Thanks to our supporters that come to watch each week, one day soon they will be able to share in the enjoyment of our first league win.