Northern Rangers juniors scored 20 points from a possible 21 in the NTJSA round 3 of league matches on Saturday, with only the highly fancied under 14 Red Rangers coming away with a score draw, while all other teams took 3 points. The Red Rangers had key defenders out, and fell victim to the persistence of counter attacking football and a few well placed long shots. The boys created more opportunities, and while not at their best, played the better football, and shouldn't be too disappointed with the result.
All other teams are also playing Ranger style football, with the difference between success and failure often coming down to lack of consistency. All teams have demonstrated an ability to play good passing and possession football when at their best. Some teams, when under pressure, are resorting to long clearances and football played with the head down. It is at these times that we need to remind our parents and supporters that it is okay to play with the ball, as opposed to "bombing it long". By playing with the ball, we get better at playing with the ball, which is the whole idea. When it doesn't work, we need to understand the difference between the idea, and the execution. If the idea is sound, then we have to persist, and work on our execution. We don't throw the idea away when it is only the execution that is the problem, so we ask our supporters to be patient while we get it right.
While winning matches is far more pleasing than losing them, learning to play better football at this age is key to ensuring greater success in the future, and in ensuring that our players actually have a future in the game. As I've said to all of our players, "winning ugly is not winning anything".
My only regret at this stage is that we didn't play our under 12 boys, and ALL of our under 14 teams in division 1. The quality of some teams in these division 1 competitions is no better than many of the division 2 teams, and while we would win fewer matches, we would find ourselves playing better football and improving at a faster rate. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Well done to all coaches and players on the beginning of the season, and thank you to our parents and supporters. We now have a two week break, with training resuming on 22 June. I should have printed full season rosters available at this time. Matches resume on 25 June. Enjoy the break.
