Internet Blades vs Internet Millers
Review
Match: Vs Inter Blades
Kick Off:
Location: Hallam FM academy
Kit: Away Kit – Black IMFC Shirt, White IMFC Shorts, Black IMFC Socks
Final Score: Internet Millers beat Internet Blades 2:1
SQUAD
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Jebu
Denti
Dan
Steve
Duds
Adis
Symon
Jonny
John
Shark
Paul El
Chappel
Chris Grist
Lee
Steve R
Chris Cope
Andy - nousername
Starting Formation and Tactics
The IM were to start with a 352. Shark commanding the net with Denti, Duds and Paul El provided the back 3. Dan was sat in the anchor role with Steve R along side him, Adis had a more free role in the hole behind the front two with young lads Jonny and Lee on the wing back positions. Up front Steve and Jebu started in their usual roles.
First Half
Just 5 minutes into the game the Internet Millers suffered a blow as a fantastic tackle by Paul El led to a slight twist of the ankle meaning he couldn’t play on. Thankfully Chris Cope stepped into the back 3 to take his place.
In searing heat the first half started slow for both teams. After blistering starts in each of our games at Worldnet it was very unlike the Internet Millers to be a little out of sorts in the opening 15 minutes. Sheffield United were proving to be as tough as we expected, being very physical with some quality players locking horns with the IM players around the red hot artificial surface compound.
Out of nowhere after 15 minutes the IM should have been 1-0 up. The ball dropped loose in midfield that Dan picked up, a splitting pass left the blades defence helplessly calling for offside leaving Steve Burns one on one with the Keeper. Unfortunately, Burns could not turn the ball into the net and the keeper made a fine save with his legs.
Not soon after a long punt from the back caught the blades defence and Steve Burns once again nipped in, this time he rounded the keeper and tried to score from a tight angle but the defender cleared on the line for a corner. From the resultant corner Burns header bulleted just over leaving the Internet Millers cursing the bad luck in front of goal.
To be fair to the Blades the game wasn’t as one sided as the chances the Millers created leads you to think. The Blades were very strong at the back, the strongest we have ever seen them and they also had some solid players in the middle of the park. A few young lads out wide provided them with some nice skills but they struggled up front with only one recognised striker. That said the one main striker was providing a real handful for the backline without really troubling the goal line.
The Blades continued to frustrate the Millers front line when Jebu, now playing in the hole and Chris Grist up front, chipped a ball over the shoulder of the last defender. Burns ran on and at a tight angle tried to square to John but just underhit allowing the keeper to intercept and put out for a corner. The resultant corner managed to miss all defenders to Jebu on the back post who was taken by surprise and didn’t manage to convert from close range.
With time running out in the first half Jebu skipped past a couple of players and laid neatly into the path of Chris Grist but the keeper charged out well to cover his angles and saved well down to his left.
With half time looming the Millers had to defend another corner that the Blades had looked quite threatening on throughout the game. A good clearance fell to a blades player who lifted the ball back into the box. The referee then gave a penalty for pushing in the back by Chris Cope, it seemed a little harsh and angered a few of the IM players. However, even though the forward was backing in strongly the arms did go up and the IM players had to accept the decision. Thankfully Shark was in fine penalty saving mood and pulled off a great save close to his right to maintain the 0-0 going in at half time.
I Don’t think either of the teams would have predicted a 0-0 at half time!
Half Time: Internet Blades 0:0 Internet Millers
Second Half
The second half saw an host of changes by the Internet Millers reverting to a 442 formation. Young Lee and Johnny (who came off for John after 30 mins) worked exceptionally hard in the wing back positions and it was great experience for them. The wing back position is one of the hardest on the entire pitch and I’m sure both players will have learned a lot from playing against a strong Blades side in them roles. A flat back four would give the millers more stability on the wings in the second half and allow a number of players to fit into their more natural roles as full backs and wingers.
The forward line rotated between Burns, Jebu and Chris Grist throughout the second half and in midfield Adis and Steve r partnered the bundle of energy Dan. The defence remained pretty stable with Paul El giving it one last big effort in the last ten minutes.
More chances were fashioned by the Millers but it was becoming a bit of a stalemate with both defences and midfields getting on top. The Blades keeper was in amazing form and showing class in what can only be described as a wonder save after about 55 minutes. Jebu picked the ball up from deep and skipped past a couple of midfielders, approaching the edge of the box he unleashed a screamer of a right foot shot heading into the top corner. Amazingly the keeper dived, full stretch to tip the ball just past the upright.
Almost immediately after the Blades broke and scored a goal. The Millers got caught out wide right and after two blocked crosses the ball fell to a blades player around the penalty spot and spun to put the ball in the bottom corner. Even though the game had been tight the Millers felt hard done by having had so many chances saved.
However, the Blades were not to remain in front for any great length of time. After so many great scoring chances, great saves and bad misses the IM equalised in bizarre fashion. New recruit Andy (nousername) hit a cross field pass from about 30 yards out but misqueued, instead it smacked right into the top corner catching the keeper completely off guard. Andy reckons he meant to do it but either way it was 1-1 in bizarre fashion and the Millers had finally broken through, what a debut for Andy!. Just afterwards Jebu and Steve R came off for 20 minutes to make way for Adis and Burns.
The Millers remained the stronger side throughout, passing well and looking composed. Chris Grist almost scored a screamer as a delightful ball into the box by John was hit on the half volley just over the top. Burns fashioned a couple more chances and went on a fantastic run only to be denied by some more good keeping. However, as the game grew to a close the Millers looked a little nervous about getting hit on the counter and long balls into the box were causing a few problems as the strong blades forward hussled our back line.
With 10 mins to go IM threw Jebu and Steve R back on in a final attempt to get all 3 points from the match. Within minutes Jebu dropped deeper and slipped Steve Burns in who rounded the keeper and was destined to score. However, at the final second he stumbled when trying to poke back to Jebu for an open net and the keeper pounced fast to gather the ball. Surely it wasn’t to be for the Millers?
With 92 minutes played the Blades looked settled for a draw and with tired legs on the millers side it looked unlikely a winner was going to come, especially considering the amount of chances missed throughout the game. However, in dramatic style akin to the last minute equaliser against
The Internet Millers went wild with celebrations as they had surely gained all 3 points and more importantly a win and revenge over Sheff U for the comfort day final defeat. The ref played 3 more mins of injury time but the millers played it out in the Sheff u corner to gain a superb, massive, first day win.
Full Time: Internet Blades 1:2 Internet Millers
Post Match Comments
The game was as we expected very tough. It didn’t help that our finished was poor and this is the first time in over a year the IM have failed to score more than 2 goals in any one game. Therefore, it is without doubt the organisation and strength of our defence and midfield that won us this game. I also believe the calm head of skip on the side line went a long way to ensure we didn’t panic and played out our plan. Mid way through last year the IM would have folded and lost that game, perhaps 5-3 or something like that. However, we dug in and got a win. Man of the match for me was close between Steve R and Dan who both put in powerful performances in the middle of the park, Dan just edging Steve R out.
May I also add that the Blades lads played the game in the IFA spirit, competitive but fun and I would like to thank them for the great facilities and hospitality. I am pretty certain that if they perform like that throughout the IFA season they will finish in a strong position.
1 game and 1 win, our unbeaten run continues and hopefully we will be playing
Jebu out….