Before we get to the match we’ll start with training. This is a little abnormal but given that I was the only member from the Men’s 2s to show up to training, it falls to me to let them know what they missed.

Training

Drill 1: 2 v 2 with a floating player:

Set-up:
- Small area coned off.
- Two players in bibs, two players without bibs, one player in a different coloured bib.

The Aim:
The idea is very simple: the floating player is always on the side of the team with the ball. The team without the ball has to gain possession. Once in possession they try to retain the ball for as long as possible. Given the floating player is always on the team with the ball then there is a constant 3 v 2, so the defending team needs to close the ball carrier down and intercept passes/force errors.

Rating 4 out of 5:
- Good intensity.
- Meant you have to pre-scan.
- Players on the ball have to get into space.

Drill 2: 2 v 1:

Set-up:
- One defender at the top of the D.
- Two parallel lines of attackers on the 23 facing the goal.

The Drill:
One of the attackers passes the ball to the defender. The ball then gets bounced back out, starting a classic two-on-one with the aim to score.

Rating 4 out of 5:
- Meant communication between the attackers had to be good.
- Important movement off the ball.
- Hard work for the defender.

Drill 3: 3 v 2:

Set-up:
- Two defenders at the top of the D.
- Two parallel lines of attackers on the 23 facing the goal.
- Another attacker stood in front of the defenders.

The Drill:
One of the attackers passes the ball to the attacker at the top of the D. This starts the attack and a three-on-two with the aim to score.

Rating 4.5 out of 5:
- More attackers meant we were looking for deflections.
- Built up communication between the defenders.
- Both attackers and defenders working in a unit.

Drill 4: 3 v 2 from halfway:

Set-up:
- Two defenders on the 23.
- Two parallel lines of attackers on the halfway line facing the goal.
- Another attacker stood in front of the defenders.

The Drill:
The drill is the same as above.

Rating 3.5 out of 5:
- Not many scored.
- Good for fitness.
- Replicates a break in actual match play.

Then the snow started to fall. It was super-romantic and lovely.

If what is documented above is something that interests you, training happens most Tuesdays at 7:30 to 9:30. This all takes place at Long Road, where there is ample parking.

See ya there?

The Match

• 12th minute, Kettering scored.

• 14th minute, Walshy impersonated Zidane in the 2006 World Cup Final, only without the headbutt, and correctly got a card.

• 20th minute, Kettering scored.

• 30th minute, Menzies scored (deflection at short corner).

• 58th minute, Walshy scored (team worked ball into the D, nice finish).

• 60th minute, I got upset with someone, got a card, threw my stick out my pram, upgraded a green to a yellow, looked like an idiot. (The event closely resembled Greg Rusedski in Wimbledon 2003).

• 70+1th minute, Puddles scores (a short corner; Anns didn’t air-shot, nice tap in on the line from Puddles).