H&WFC (H; 31/08)

[ChrisB]

O.M.'s preview HERE as OCFC aim to defeat third-placed H&WFC.

[Rijs]

At least it's fairly obvious what we need to fix, so no need for head-scratching. Havant are strong but in many departments, not that much better than City. They move the ball forward quicker and are good at finishing; they are a bit better organised at the back. That's all, but it makes a huge difference. Despite our slow build-ups, City created more chances but our finishing was woeful. We gave them two goals but could still have won if we had taken our chances as well as they did. They looked a bit more vulnerable on the odd occasion when we got in behind. Jonesy (congrats on the century!) did that a couple of times in the first half (resulting in corners, and one near-miss for Jack Self) and Ben Jefford once near the end (resulting in a harshly-disallowed goal). It says something when the only players taking on opponents in wide positions are full backs.

Kyran is willing to but not fast enough. Craig is fast enough but seems not willing to--he would rather pass at the moment. Nana probably could do it but he keeps coming inside on to his favoured right foot, (so play him on the right!). Danny Rowe might have done it but he has a bad injury. So we are left playing in front of them, shooting from distance or into a blocking body, or chipping over a cross from deep and hoping one blue shirt can get to it rather than one of the three yellow ones. All pretty low-percentage options. Time for a lot of specific work on the training ground, or to sign a good winger on loan.