On Sunday, the Junior Squad faced league-leaders Exeter in a home clash at Bronwydd Swimming Pool. The previous encounter against Sunday’s opponents was back in June, when the Dragons travelled to the South West and lost 17-6. Despite being winless in the BWWPL this season, the Dragons have showed encouraging signs, particularly recently against Devonport in their previous match. Exeter pose a much sterner test, but it is hopeful that the Junior Squad will display more inspiration in their remaining matches as they look to develop and improve after every game.
First Quarter
Exeter commenced the match with intent by winning the swim-off and directly scoring the first goal of the game in the opening twenty seconds. Cwm Draig had a good opportunity to peg them back immediately with the first extra player advantage of the match but failed to test the Exeter goalkeeper. The opposition punished the Dragons for it by scoring a quick-fire double-goal salvo and racing into a 3-0 lead before two minutes has been played. The visitors added a fourth a while later, which was followed by their second major of the match. This time, the Dragons made it count with a goal from Sophie Williams. With just over two minutes of the quarter remaining, Exeter committed two major fouls in twelve seconds, subsequently giving the Dragons an advantage of two extra players, which they benefitted from with a goal for Seren Vaughan. After withstanding pressure from Exeter’s attack, our Junior Squad then had another chance to close the gap as they were awarded their third opportunity to score with an extra player advantage. Erin Jones converted from a rebounded shot to make the score 4-3. With a minute remaining of the opening quarter, the away side pressurised and dispossessed the Dragons twice and scored two goals in quick succession with rapid counter-attacking play, which saw them re-establish a commanding lead with a score of 6-3.
Second Quarter
Cwm Draig threatened early on and their efforts was rewarded after the opposition committed two major fouls within a 17-second period to permit the Dragons their fifth chance to score with an extra player advantage; the second occasion of the match with more than one additional player. Erin Jones ensured the Dragons profited from the opportunity as she grabbed her second goal, reducing the deficit to two goals. Exeter reacted instantly and gave the Dragons more warning signs about their swiftness on the break as they scored twice in quick succession. Our Junior Squad responded as Erin Jones capped off a fine move from the team to score the Dragons’ fifth goal and her third of the match. The away side eventually had their first opportunity to convert with a 20-second extra player advantage, but to no avail. Exeter took their tally into double figures with another goal mid-way through the second quarter. The Southwest squad were attempting to withstand another fightback from the Dragons after creating more chances to score and receiving an extra player advantage once more. The golden opportunities were squandered, which was eventually penalised by the visitors who became rampant and too much for the Dragons to resist – scoring three goals without reply with effective interceptions, speedy counter-attacking play and clinical finishing. With the score at 13-5 and half-time approaching, the outcome was looking inevitable. With around a minute and half to go, Exeter committed another major foul. The away side saw out the whole 20-second period with a player down without facing a shot, however, they committed another major foul, moments before the excluded player was about return to the fray. With Exeter trying to recover hurriedly, Cwm Draig had an opportunity to take advantage of the away side’s brief flashes of fluster – which they did with a goal from Jo-Jo Chesworth-Rickards. The last action of this quarter went in favour for Exeter however, as the Southwest side showed their fast, counter-attacking process once more to grab another two goals, bringing the score to 15-6 at half-time.
Third Quarter
Exeter continued how they left off by scoring their sixteenth goal within ten seconds of the match restarting. Shortly after, Cwm Draig conceded their second major of the match, which was converted from the opponents. With the Dragons struggling to contain Exeter, there were signals that this would be the onset of a very commanding and formidable display from the visitors. Exeter maintained high levels of pressing and relentless work-rate to continuously dispossess the Dragons, which would spur dynamic attacks and exploit the space behind Cwm Draig. Thus, Exeter went on to dominate and score six consecutive goals. Cwm Draig had shots few and far between, pushing forward at every opportunity which gave their opponents chance after chance to expose. The Dragons were given two extra player advantages in this quarter, but they proved to be unfruitful. Exeter completed their third-quarter rout after adding another four goals their tally - the rapidity of their breaks proved too much for the Junior Squad to handle with the score at 26-6 going into the final set of 7 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter entailed more domination from Exeter, continuing to overwhelm Cwm Draig. One aspect that was noticeable was that the opposition did alternate their shooting in this quarter, as they started to become predictable and Cwm Draig shot-stopper Meg Jones pulled off a string of fine saves to prevent Exeter from scoring on several occasions. Another positive from this quarter is the Dragons showing more creativity and flare to create chances to score, however, Exeter stood firm and went on to dictate the quarter by scoring nine goals without reply. The visitors won emphatically by 35-6.
Match Summary
A difficult match for the Junior Squad. Exeter showed just why they are table-toppers – insatiable at times. A tough test for the Dragons who were outplayed by a team which worked tirelessly to clog the space to play in and intercept the ball, combined with turbo pace, attacking with aplomb and potent finishing – a ruthless display. Every match consists of a different experience to the previous -it is another learning curve for this developing team.
Analysis
During midweek, the focus of training was on EPAs – to ensure the teams would them as effectively as possible. The Junior Squad created ten opportunities for themselves to score with the EPAs throughout the match. The team converted five opportunities into goals, giving an efficiency percentage of 50%. It is suggested that the team is becoming more accomplished at taking advantage of these situations. It was a hard match for the team, in terms of retaining possession, playing in space and structuring or creating many purposeful offensive pieces of play. The analysis implies that the way Exeter approached the match in a defensive viewport was effective as Cwm Draig struggled to convert from shots that required progressive build-up, offensive organisation and possession preservation. This is due to how the opposition tended to nullify the threat as early as possible, containing the amount of time freedom of the Cwm Draig squad had whilst on the ball and relentless work-rate to pressurise them, which affected the success rate of shooting. In addition, it was evident that a significant proportion of the goals that Exeter scored are counter-attacking goals, which was fuelled by their natural inclination to press intensively to their opponents, win the ball at the earliest opportunity and use their lethal pace. However, it was difficult for Cwm Draig to adapt due to Exeter’s variation of shots and how they alternated their choice of shooting. It is credible that Exeter’s accuracy and high shot conversion rate is supported by how the team differentiate their options of finishing an attack, as it prevents the team from becoming predictable and their conversion rate decreasing.
This chart signifies the amount of times Cwm Draig scored (solid bar) and failed to convert (striped bar) with each type of shot. In addition, the colour of the bar indicates which quarter each shot was taken in.
This chart signifies the amount of times Exeter scored (solid bar) and failed to convert (striped bar) with each type of shot. In addition, the colour of the bar indicates which quarter each shot was taken in.
This chart represents the whole of Cwm Draig's shooting during the match. For example, out of all the shots Cwm Draig executed (28 shots), 25% of those shots were Unconverted Action Shots and 18% consisted of Converted EPA Shots.
This chart represents the whole of Exeter’s shooting during the match. For example, out of all the shots Exeter executed (50 shots), 6% of those shots were Unconverted 5m Shots and 18% consisted of Converted Action Shots.
Team: George Jones (1/GK/3), Seren Vaughan (4), Erin Jones (5), Tarian Vaughan (7), Maisie Davies (9), Jo-Jo Chesworth-Rickards (10), Seren Geary (11), KJ Williams (12), Meg Jones (13/GK).
Goal scorers: Erin Jones (3), Seren Vaughan (1), Jo-Jo Chesworth-Rickards (1), Sophie Williams (1).
Major foul receivers: Maisie Davies (1), Jo-Jo Chesworth-Rickards (1).