Young bulls defeat Bournemouth 2-1 at home to make it 2 out of 2 in the league and 5 wins from 6 in all competitions
Yesterday saw us continue to play catch up in our league fixtures with a home tie against Bournemouth. Bournemouth came with a slightly older side than our young players, and after some winding up and rough play from the visitors, our boys kept their heads to come from behind and take all three points.
We started the game very well with Alex Lilwall, Tom Gameson and Lewis Fletcher all having shots saved by the away keeper. We turned them well, passed the ball but lacked that final cutting edge. As the game settled Bournemouth came into it more, they put a bit of pressure on us without ever testing Benn Pugh in goal. We should of gone in a goal up at halftime but Joe Davies managed to kick the ball 20yards in the air instead of 2 yards forward into an empty net after meeting Liam Taylor's free kick unmarked!
The second half started quite evenly, neither team able to test the keepers and defences were on top. We have worked a lot on individual play in the last 2 weeks, and this showed in the game. A more solid back line and control of the play was evident through out but we lacked the killer pass, and paid the price for it.
A needless free kick was given away and as the ball came in Bournemouth's centre midfielder had a free header. Our boys were complaining of a foul but to me they had to be stronger and see out the danger. Once again we were having to come from behind!
We started to put more pressure on them after this and won a series of free kicks as Bournemouth lost their discipline. They gave away silly fouls and started a war of words with some of our players who to their credit just got on with the game. It was from a set piece that we got our equaliser. A header back across goal found Tom Gameson who reacted quick enough to stab home.
We introduced Robbie Trumper and then Will Lawley as we changed formation to press for the winner. Another set piece was sent in, nodded back across goal to where Chris May outmuscled his man to loop a header in with 5minutes left on the clock. We saw out the game comfortably and deserved the win.
It's pleasing that the boys came back from a goal down again but I have told them they can't keep doing it. Against better opposition we will struggle to get back into games. The most pleasing thing is how they took every negative I gave them in their reviews last week and improved on them. The back 4 were stronger, the front 2 worked hard and the two centre midfielders controlled the game which they haven't done so far this season. Lewis Fletcher and Tom Jenkins deserve credit for that yesterday.
We are far from the team I want us to be and we will be tested harder than ever next week when we travel to a strong Birmingham City team, but we are making steps every week and given the remainder 6-18 months they still have with us I'm confident that some will be lucky enough to go onto bigger and better things and maybe become the future of HUFC
Team: Benn Pugh, Liam Taylor, Simon Morgan, Joe Davies, Chris May, Lewis Fletcher, Tom Jenkins, Alex Lilwall, Matty Owen, James Obern, Tom Gameson
Subs: Will Lawley, Jordan Jones, Robbie Trumper