Padiham Saints J.F.C

Well lads, what a treat today, some brilliant football and to say you played a tournament yesterday a 3 - 1 win was very impressive.

You've certainly improved no end since I last saw you play as a full side and if you look back at my postings from early last year you'll see I saw a good footballing side hidden away........WHEN YOU PASS THE BALL.
Some of your passing today was awesome and Darwen are a much improved team from last year.

Besides the passing winning the second balls was paramount and also making the challenges, I didn't see anyone today trying to hide. The forwards were quick off the mark, midfield played to the forwards well and the back four rock solid.
Nathan in goals, how he's improving game by game, so quick off his line now and so brave going for the ball. Think I may be a little bit biased there but with Nath in goal and the back four playing as they did you could have a great season next year.

It was a great all round team performance by everyone and I almost forgot to mention that screamer, what a goal that was, the keepers still looking for it. I think it was Kurt who let fly, apologies if it wasn't but if that's a taste of what's to come roll on the new season.

Great stuff lads, super display and well done to the coaches.

Thanks for that Jon, as usual you're first to get to your computer and give your thoughts!

For our first competitive 11-a-side game this season it wasn't half bad! Maybe a little bit sloppy in the first half, seemed to give away a few too many needless free kicks in dangerous areas, but to be fair it was only at those times Darwen really threatened our goal.

Second half was much better to watch, better passing and moving, and the defense looked more solid than in any game I can remember last season.

A good display all round, maybe a bit more fitness needs to be gained though before the league starts, a few players were starting to get a slight redness in the cheeks too easily...

Like to get in Tom while the game is fresh in my mind. I do agree with your comments though especially about the free kicks. As spectators we tried to have a whip round to buy the ref some glasses but only got 7p and two beer bottle tops. I'd also heard somebody had nicked his white stick and his dog taken to the pound. No not Paula lol. Maybe next game we should pay for a proper one.

In all seriousness though, I didn't get to see that many games last year because I was following the Rooks but I've never had any doubts those lads could play. I'm sure the coaching and effort from the lads will pay dividends eventually.

Jon, I would advise you to keep your distance from James for a while...

That is if he manages to find his glasses and read your comments!

I totally agree the Under 13's played brilliantly today with some excellent skills and fantastic passing.

I think the thing that went wrong in the first half was that it was a different formation that they are used to and you find that the same few only pass to each other which does need sorting out there are 11 people on the pitch not just your friends also there were a few players in positions that they are not used to namely shane who is very good in midfield but is lost in defence.

Second half the players went back to the normal formation and the passing which yet again was always to the same few was better but please look for players who are screaming for the ball with no-one around them and pass to them. It is a team game and sometimes you forget to pass to players that aren't your school friends thats the only criticism I'm going to make but I'm sure Tom and nick will sort this little problem out.

A fantastic game to watch but I want to see more team play in future games.

Actually, the 4-5-1 we started out with is our usual formation. The 4-4-2 was a new one. It seemed to work very well so we will see if it works for us again in the next match.

And of course, we do want to see more teamwork, it needs to be drilled into the team that they can't pick and choose who they pass to based on who they get on with off the pitch.