The Dynamic Duo

 Yesterday was the proverbial game of two halves.  Let's focus on the good, and by good, I actually mean very good.  Concord at times during the first half were a delight to watch.  When they attacked, they attacked with power and purpose, and make the Hampton defence look clumsy and slow.  When I had last seen Hampton defence play at the Aspect Arena they were a solid unbreakable unit.  Well yesterday they were the opposite, and all credit for that can go the Dynamic Duo of Temi Babalola and Lamar Reynolds.

Let's be honest, for those of us who were there, the first Concord goal was one of the best you are likely to see.  A brilliant ball out wide to Lamar, who drove at the full back at pace, and the whipped in the perfect cross for Temi to expertly guide it home.  Seriously it was a superb goal.  Later on in the half, Temi returned the favour as he slid the ball to Lamar, who spun and got his shot on target, and Alan Julian will be unhappy that the shot crept in.  However a word of praise for Julian in the Hampton goal, apart from that slight error he was outstanding in that first half.  He made an amazing double save in the last few minutes of the first half, and you felt if Concord had gone into the break three nil up that would have been game over.  If Concord had gone in three nil up, that would have been fully deserved.  But, let's get back to Temi and Lamar.  Both are playing with huge confidence at the moment, you can tell it in their play.  Temi was up against a very experienced centre back in Charlie Wassmer yesterday, and his power and physique caused the Hampton centre back all sorts of problems.  However it's just not power with Temi, he has a good touch and his game awareness is getting better each week.  You can see a real player developing.  As for Lamar the change in him is remarkable, gone is the unsure play, and now he's someone who looks a threat every time he gets the ball.  He is gunning for his opposition defender and taking them on, driving into the box, being positive. It's great to watch.

Back to the match.  We all knew that Hampton that would come firing out of the traps in the second half. Well they couldn't be any worse.  Credit has to be given to Hampton and the way they changed shape. They looked like they had an extra man all half.  They played very, very well.  Of course they got an early goal to get themselves back into the game, but then that Concord spirit kicked in.  Yes, they rode their luck at times, and were indebted to Myles Roberts in goal.  Again Myles made some fantastic saves.  We've been very lucky with the quality of goalkeepers at the club through my years of watching the team, and Myles is another to add to that list.

It would be unfair on the whole team to single out the three players above, as yesterday was another great team performance. Going forward excellent as mentioned above and keeping out a very good team by defending heroically. The back three are well marshalled by the Captain, and it's encouraging to see Ollie and Jayden with the confidence to bring the ball out of defence.  Both full backs/wing backs were solid in defence and also offered a threat going forward.  The midfield three ran their socks off covering every inch of the pitch, whilst also showing real quality on the ball to link into the front player's strengths.  The subs who came on, knew what they were being thrust into yesterday, and gave everything to ensure with picked up the three points.

I was saying to someone at the game yesterday, just how nice it is to be back in the stadium watching football amongst friends, and it's made even sweeter that the team are performing well, making the experience even more enjoyable. Long may it continue!

#YAMC

That's Concord!

Here are some words. Heart. Desire. Tenacity. Brave. Teamwork. Spirit. Passion. Attitude. Yesterday's performance was all of those and more.  When you support the perennial underdogs in the division, the player's have to give their all to challenge the so-called better sides in the league, and credit should be given to all previous managers, coaches and players that this is Concord's 9th consecutive season at this level.

Searchy and the coaching staff couldn't have asked for a harder test on the opening day of the season, then to play the favourites for promotion, or you could say that you couldn't have asked for a better test.  No better way to prove yourselves then playing the best.  

The talk before the game in the stands, was that we were apprehensive, that Dorking side on paper is strong.  Proven players at this level, and players with experience in the leagues above.  "As long as we play well", "Not expecting much today."  Once the game got underway and after a period of time, the growing conclusion was that whilst Dorking had plenty of the ball, they weren't necessarily threatening and when they did find themselves in good positions their final ball was poor.  All the time Concord were gaining in confidence, maybe I'm not giving the team credit they may have been confident beforehand, but as the match progressed you could see our players grow in confidence.  Whilst the confidence grew on the pitch, so it did in the stands, talk turned of maybe us getting a point...you can never be too confident!!

Everyone reading this knows what happened in the second half, with Dorking coming out a bit livelier, and Concord hung on in their for that initial ten minute burst.  Concord then started winning possession further up the pitch and started threatening, and creating really good goal-scoring chances...which weren't taken.  Dorking were still a threat, and special mention should go to young Myles Roberts on loan from Watford, who was dominant with crosses in the box, and looks an exceptional shot-stopper. We've been blessed with very good goalkeepers over the years at Concord, and Myles looks to add to that list. Obviously Myles big moment would come later in the half.  

I mentioned Lamar Reynolds in last week's blog, and for me he was lively again this week.  When I had watched Lamar in previous season's maybe his head would drop in matches, but yesterday he was constantly looking to take his full back on, and his direct approach gained a deserved penalty.  In a summer of missed penalties, a few of us couldn't watch as Temi stepped up.  We needn't have worried it was an excellently taken spot kick.

Dorking pressed with 5 minutes to go, and they won themselves a penalty.  Regarding the penalty, to quote Arsene Wenger "I didn't see it", but the Dorking players lined up for a free kick outside the box, and were equally surprised when the referee pointed to the spot.  Concord didn't deserve this late kick in the bollocks, and thanks to Myles Roberts superb save and excellent all-round defending on the follow-up Concord weren't denied.  It was heart-warming to see all ten outfield players go and celebrate with the keeper.  That's the team-spirit showing through.  The Concord DNA.  It's been passed onto another group of players.

It really was an excellent team performance yesterday, and all the players deserve mention, however I'd just like to single out a couple.  Arron Pollock was a real leader yesterday.  He headed and blocked everything, whilst also being a threat in the opposition box.  A captain's performance.  I'd been encouraged by Ryan Blackman's performance against Maldon the week before, but could he do it against higher quality players.  I needn't have worried.  He covered every blade of grass, much like another Blackman who had played for the club, and Ryan's passing was excellent throughout.

Obviously this season will have ups and downs like any other, but beating Dorking at home in the first game is a great start and puts the club and fans in a positive mind-set for matches ahead! 

YAMC!

Optimism over Pragmatism

It was great to be back at the Aspect Arena yesterday afternoon.  To hear the sounds of the turnstiles clicking as I approached the ground was fantastic. The little things in life, which bring cheer to your heart.  These tiny things seem so important after the last 18 months everyone has experienced.

Walking round the ground, just looking at people's faces, just happy to getting back to some kind of normality.  You could say, back to the old routine...but how have we all missed that old routine!

In my previous blog, I mentioned that the team maybe should be taking a more pragmatic approach to the season ahead.  In hindsight that was a little unfair without seeing the team play.  What I saw yesterday afternoon, encouraged me greatly.  Player's wanting to play out from the back.  It didn't come off every time, but they weren't scared to try again.  They were encouraged to try again.  Good passing from the centre-midfielders, always looking forward.  Always looking to break the press. Player's willing to try a trick, exuding confidence.  I'm not sure what has happened to Lamar Reynolds since the last time I saw him play, yesterday he was a revelation.  He did not stop running all day.  He was a constant threat.  More importantly he had a smile on his face.  In fact all the player's had a smile on their face.  

Let's not carried away totally, as the real stuff starts next week with the visit of one of the joint favourites for the league, in big spending Dorking. But if we can go into that match with the confidence and the willingness to play football, and look to entertain the fans, then the team will get 100% support from us watching and constant encouragement to try again.

This blog cannot pass by without mentioning one of the funniest things I have seen on a football pitch in a long time.  There was a little scuffle on the pitch, which led to a bit of a free-for-all.  James Blanchfield decided to run over and get involved, and was immediately but on his backside.  Now it was very windy yesterday, so I will give Blanchy the definite of the doubt, and he may have lost his balance in the wind!