TAKING six points from our first two games away from home is a good start to the season, but we know there is still a long way to go.
I thought we started very well against Olympic.
For large parts of the first half, we were very good and controlled the game the way we wanted to.
We spent a lot of time during the week preparing for how Olympic would set up, particularly how they like to sit in a deep block, and I was pleased with how the players approached that challenge.
The plan was to be on the front foot early and try to push them back.
From watching their games, including their match against Lions, we expected them to sit deep and make it difficult for us to break them down.
The boys executed what we worked on during the week very well for long periods.
We did have a lapse just before half-time where we switched off for about 45 seconds.
We gave the ball away, conceded a corner and they scored from it.
Apart from that moment, I thought our defensive work was strong.
There’s good stability in the team and the players know their roles, which makes a big difference.
Up front, Nashie took his two goals very well.
What has impressed me most is that his contribution out of possession is improving.
He’s working hard for the team and starting to get the rewards for that effort in front of goal.
Jack Benham also produced a really good performance and capped it off with a quality finish.
He’s technically very good, so it’s not a surprise to see him score goals like that.
Joe (Duckworth) was another player who did well.
He’s settling into a new environment and playing slightly further forward than he has in recent seasons, so he’s adapting to that role and growing into the team.
Defensively we were quite solid.
Zac (Galea) didn’t have to make too many saves, which is always a good sign that the players in front of him are doing their job properly.
That said, I wouldn’t say it was a complete performance.
I thought Olympic had a period in the second half where they were on top and we scored our third goal a
little bit against the run of play.
Once that went in, it settled us down and we were comfortable without necessarily being at our best.
There’s still work to do, particularly with the ball, but taking three points away from home is always a positive outcome.
Starting the season with two wins is important.
It allows you to be where you want to be rather than chasing your tail like teams sometimes must do after a slow start.
But it’s still very early in the season.
If you look at the first couple of rounds, everyone seems to be beating everyone.
For us, it’s simply about taking each game as it comes and focusing on the next challenge.
That next test comes on Friday night when we return home to Carmichael Park to face Moreton City Excelsior.
It’s another tough game, and we’ll need to be ready for it.
