Sunday 11th October Finch take on top of the league Esher
Another road trip today to Esher near Hampton Court. Esher sit at the top of the table with some big wins against the stronger teams in the division. We had 15 players, Luke couldn’t make it due to work commitments because of the later kick off. Matthew joining the team for his debut in a Finch shirt. Alfie almost pain free from his knee injury from the Thursday night game in the rain.
Although the pitch wasn’t the greatest, our work over the last few weeks on keeping possession was showing. And early on Ben’s cross to Jack setup Lewis C for the shot, saved by the keeper. Lewis C picked out Ben on the back post but couldn’t direct the ball on target.
Esher were quick on the break and got the first goal from a shot from range which bounced up in front of Jake on the dive. Esher struck again when the Hurricanes cleared a corner but couldn’t shut down the shooter quick enough, a rocket shot in off the cross bar at the back post.
Finch weren’t beaten and came back at Esher. Lewis C picking out Jack in the penalty box, his header going high. Quick passing from Joe and Lewis B put Cam through on goal but his left footed shot was just wide. At the other end, Jake made a top save at full stretch to parry the ball away.
The lads kept the pressure up in the second half, pressing hard and keeping the ball well. They were competing for everything and looked to be winning more than Esher. Ben floated a free kick in, Dan coming close with another header. A hard Esher shot initially saved by Jake but Esher were able to pounce on the deflected ball for the tap in. Esher capitalised when Jake came to clear a long ball on his left.
Alfie tried to clear the ball but brought down Esher’s striker for a penalty. To their credit Finch kept playing and working for each other. Lewis C picked out Ben at the back post, shot going wide. Alfie won the ball just outside the penalty box, Harrington went on the run and picked out Cam for the volley goal. Although 5-1 down, this goal was electric for the Hurricanes and they pushed for another. A possible goal from Ben’s corner was disallowed as not having crossed the line, couldn’t tell from my angle. And the final kick of the game went to a Finch corner with the entire team attacking in the penalty box (why not!!). Well done to Matthew for a great debut for the Hurricanes. And thank you to Nick for running the line.
The score line today wasn’t a reflection on the game, the amount of possession and the number of chances Finch created against the top team. Our lads are already improving their organisation, awareness, pressing, work rate and possession football across the team. Looks like we need to do more work on the final third and finishing now!!
Their win today extends Esher’s lead with their unbeaten 5 game run. Elstead jumped above Finch into 5th place with a 2-0 win over Staines. Walton beat Yateley 8-3 on their astro and Haslemere took second place with a 6-1 win over Rushmoor.
