East Grinstead managed to topple Canterbury again, this time in their home fixture, although it wasn't the free running 9-1 game they managed last time. Whilst Canterbury were first to tally, they seemed to break down defensively, consistently scoring and then failing to hold the lead. This kind of struggle between pushing up and defending seemed to be their downfall and the team structuring and unit play that helped them achieve their success last season seems to be causing problems this one. If they could keep their lead, from having been now able to catch a game in person, they would be well on their well to clicking as a team and running away with it. And if so would be higher up the table than they are, currently doing themselves a disservice with their play.
Having struggled last season and early on this season for a little while in the 2s, Diccon Stubbings was back in goal for the Kent side. I was expecting Kindler to be playing (and tbh was hoping he would be so I could get a look-in in person), so I assume the coaching staff are looking to shake things up at the back to try and see what they can do to improve performances and get better results. Stubbings seemed able to make a few spectacular saves, but then struggled with shots near him or at times when he would have been better to step off his line and close down the attacker. Tactical decisions, important at this level, like changing the corner defence, with someone needed on the right person, with him unable to extend to reach out to that exposure with the low drag flick that beat him twice, could have helped things as well.
In spite of his stance for short corners, which seems to have been changed again ever so slightly, rather just having his hands limp at his sides lackadaisically, he wasn't able to reach the low, excellently placed drag flicks from East Grinstead's attacking section. Game psychology could be another area for question, as he seemed to get caught up in the tidal wave of goals allowed that can easily put off a goalkeeper from performing at their best, which ironically their team needs of them. He was unfortunate to have faced a spot flick very early on which he could do little to stop, but at times his use of the rhp and choice of rhp perhaps, intending to use its blocking surface to its maximum, was an obvious weakness, as he was beaten past his outstretched hand.
Stubbings' PC stance.
Potton didn't have much to do, but made a double save that almost became a three save sequence at a corner, as the ball bounced up and over, managing to get across to get something on it, to no avail unfortunately. But that battling instinct is something not always seen in his play, which is a good sign for desire and will to go the distance. He was also well beaten by a well placed flick into the top right corner exactly, showing a vulnerability with height/positioning awareness, and continuing the argument about attacking depth at corners according to reaction time and reaching the ball from a close angle, as demonstrated in this save at 5:30, link: Jenniskens save
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