KHR 'B' 2-1 KINGSTANDING PHOENIX

After the bitter disappointment of the intra-squad game, the side was in much need of rejuvenation. We needed fresh blood especially as we were going to be facing a side a division higher than us. We needed an injection of pace and flair, not to mention a presence in midfield.

Through connections of the players, we were able to sign Grady Pedro, a young powerhouse defensive midfielder - in the mould of a Seydou Keita and Forbes, an aggressive forward who was a cross between a young Rooney and a Vardy in terms of style. We also had a new keeper, Holder - a big unit of a keeper but with excellent distribution and sweeping skills.

PRE MATCH TACTICS

We went with a 4-2-3-1 which served us well in the second half of the squad game. We had arguably our strongest squad to date with a number of first teamers all available at the same time. Initially I went with a back 4, Mo-Jamie-Ryan-Faraaz and an untested midfield trio of Emad-Jordan and Forbes at CAM. Out wide we had Bash and Mohsin. Grady had been selected to start but arrived late and need to warm up, so I benched him.

FIRST HALF ANALYSIS

It was a blisteringly hot day and both sides were wilting in the heat. We had the edge in terms of possession and Forbes was looking a menace every time he ran with the ball. Kurt was looking quite laboured up front but had a gilt-edged opportunity to put us ahead only to roll it slightly past the post. The back 4 looked secure but in truth the midfield just was not clicking.

Jordan was struggling due to the heat and not covering enough ground from a defensive point of view. Emad was being overrun and thus I made an early change, bringing Grady on for Jordan. Grady got up to the speed of the game very quickly. He was winning aerial duels and terrifying the opposition with his monstrous long throws.

After 30 minutes, we opened the scoring with a brilliant run by Forbes - piercing the opposition with a mazy run in the left half space. We then began to open them up at will but were unable to take advantage. Just before half time we conceded a goal against the run of play.

Half-Time Score 1-1

HALF TIME TEAM TALK

Due to the heat, we were having to shift a lot of players around and make much use of our roll on and roll off subs. One issue which I raised was the fact that the ball was getting stuck under our feet due to the dry pitch and we were using over-elaborate footwork and falling over our own feet. Forbes in particular had been guilty of this.

SECOND HALF ANALYSIS

Forbes was looking like our most dangerous attacker and he at times had operated as a 9 during the first half. Kurt was dropping deeper, so it made sense to just use them as a duo up top. Abdullahi came on with the instruction to use his body well and hold up play but as a winger down the left side and then switch play into the other sub Mohsin.

Within the first 5 minutes of the second half we scored, with Forbes running at them in a direct manner rather than rolling his foot over the ball and leaving their defence in his wake. What followed then was a series of counter attacks by us as they charged forward in search of an equaliser. Our defence never looked under threat in truth and although there was one or two moments of panic, Holder was able to stand his ground and keep a clean sheet for the second half.

Full Time Score: KHR 'B' 2-1 KINGSTANDING 'A'

FULL TIME - TEAM TALK

A tremendous amount of pride as we overturned a side from a higher division and also excited after seeing the new talent really inject the side with a new energy. Managers are nothing without the players at their disposal. Before a manager can work any form of magic, you need the players of the requisite quality in first. Then you can mould them and take them to greater heights.

Key lessons learned

The heat can be a huge problem for some players - ensure players have fluids nearby and be prepared to use subs.