A WINTER WARMER FOR THE TRAVELLERS TO TOAST AT BENSON

With the parents huddled behind the respect line, banter rife, and footwork not far short of Irish dance to keep circulation in toe, Jonny Hall rounded the keeper and shot an early winter warmer for the travellers to toast. THE FREDS, signalling intent, were at it! To a man, they pressed relentlessly. Recovery lines out of possession were disciplined and sharp. Threats were quickly identified and thwarted.

Players showed hints of growing maturity as they looked to divert the focal point of attack when congested. There's an art to opening up teams when they are behind the ball and in balance. To take your opponents' defensive and midfield units to an area of the pitch away from where you want to attack, before you attack it, shows football intelligence. To resist the desire for instant gratification and patiently build when there isn't the space to play behind is another step up.

The squad have been working hard at ball retention when under pressure. Possession games have had them targeting a much coveted 100% pass completion, and trying to avoid 'reflective time-outs' for misplaced exchanges. The improving pass quality and risk management is already starting to show dividends. The return on investment in training is there to see. Importantly, all the boys have embraced the gentle pleasure-pain concept in the right spirit.

Tom Todd, perhaps sensing the returning chill for those on the sidelines, got a telling touch close up to add a second.

Lewis Jordan was vocal between the sticks and in charge. Stan Herbert teamed up with Matty MacDonald in the centre of defence and provided cover for Jacob Haines and Will Beynon, giving them both license to support in the channels when opportunity knocked.

Matthew Goodman, whilst others braced the autumnal turn, wouldn't have looked out of place in a pair of shades and surf shorts - coolness personified.

Harry Howard and Matthew Lambe grafted tirelessly, hounding opponents with real intent. George Santacana-Melvin shadowed midfielders on the blindside and forced errors.

Alongside the prolific Alfredian Assassin, Tom Todd, the fox in the box, constantly had Benson chasing his tail.

Joe George brought yet more tenacity and pace in attack after the interval. There was to be no respite for Benson. Although THE FREDS made changes to the line-up, the patterns continued. The fiery left footer exploited space and crossed well.

Jonny Hall whipped a free-kick against the crossbar, once again showing his fondness for the framework, having hit it a couple of times in the first thirty five minutes. But with a steady supply of measured passes from midfield, he was soon afforded another chance and converted.

Harry Buckland, Nat Haddon and Luis Hill stepped into defensive positions seamlessly, and Paul Harper re-invented himself as an attacking midfielder and did so with credit. A forceful figure, he looked to be in a hurry to inflict yet further damage to a Benson side already struggling to find answers to the questions being asked.

Benson, for not folding in a game dominated by green and white hoops, did get their moment. Awarded a free-kick on the box edge, they struck a very late consolation.

Carlsberg don't do away days for parents and players, but if they did.

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