Another game brings another determined performance by The Accies, not to mention a record-equalling fourth straight victory.
From the off, our intention was to attack, and we earned an almost immediate reward by taking the lead within the first couple of minutes. As the first-half wore on, the team deserves credit for trying to keep a high line, and certainly we were very successful in our attempts to play the ball on the deck whenever the opportunity arose.
However, as the first 45 minutes ticked away, it was obvious that MRC had a very clear game plan of trying to play in their nippy strikers with chipped balls over the top of our back four.
On occasion, they certainly got some joy with this tactic. However, it was in the second-half, following a handful of substitutions during the first-half, and a change of tactics at half-time, that really saw us start to dominate the game.
The change in tactics saw us drop deeper, to limit the space MRC had to expose, as well as a change of formation from our much used 4-4-2 in to a 4-1-4-1. Suddenly we were over-running the opposition in midfield, and stifling their attempts to loft the ball over the top of us. We realised that when we had the ball, we had the ability and pace to open them up. The more MRC attacked us the more spaces we were creating on the counter. For a spell, Heath led the line alone with a composed head, often laying off simple balls and in doing so responding to the many questions that have been posed of him recently. Perre really proved tonight what an effective attacking force he can be whilst at the same time being a team-player.
And the good news for us is that Perre wasn't the only one who contributed towards what was a fantastic evening for the team. Trialists Dean and Joe B made telling contributions, none more so than the goals they helped themselves to, Joe B scoring 2 and Dean 1, with Dean also claiming an assist. These two proved over the course of one match that they have much to offer The Accies for the year ahead.
The final tally for goals scored was; Joe-2, Sam Herbert-2, and Dean-1. We could easily have scored more, and from my vantage point as Coach that was the most satisfying thing about tonight's game. At times we were under a lot of pressure, but yet we created opportunity after opportunity, with Joe B unlucky not to claim a hat-trick, and Perre coming really close to adding to his goal tally.
Our attacking play was composed, measured and incisive. These are certainly three adjectives I'd use to sum up a lot of the contributions made by individuals tonight, be it Phill A at both left-back and left-midfield, Herbert up front, Andy Thornes in the middle, Andy Dade at right-back or Barry at the back, our clear intent was to play attractive, attacking football, and for this I congratulate each and every single one of you.
Lee was awarded the MOTM award following some quite outstanding saves and a clutch of sliding challenges made outside his box to thwart MRC attacks. At 2-2, he literally did keep us in the game.
As I said after the match tonight, I cannot remember the last time we dominated a game so much, particularly considering the conditions we had to play in (freezing cold temperature and non-stop rainfall for those who didn't make it). But dominate we did, in a style that we all wish to achieve on a more regular basis.
I'd like to congratulate you all on a thoroughly deserved victory, and at the same time insist you all give yourselves a massive pat on the back for the manner in which you achieved it. More performances like this and 2010 will go down as a very memorable year in the history of The Accies!
Keep the faith!
Joe
