Crumbling in success · Total Goalkeeping

Crumbling in success

So this is a hard post to make, Now I know loads will jump in with support but please read in full to understand and you will see what is meant.

So at the ripe age of 46 and 13 weeks I debuted for a new club in our local Welfare league. In the pre-match team talk I had an instant regret moment but I will come in to that.

Anyway my warm up was good, although due to temperatures it was reduced to prevent heat fatigue and early dehydration. I felt good and prepared into the huddle for the gaffers team talk where running through the team lines the pressure was immediately applied with my announcement followed by the words “Time to show that experience you have been telling us all about”

So the game got underway and on about 6 minutes a poor back pass had me being quickly closed down in the corner of the 18 yard box close to the goal line. I had 2 choices a ball up the line or Row Z, I chose up the line where the ball was intercepted 35 yards out just shy of the centre circle and the attacking midfielder took an easy shot in to the opposite side of my open goal.

Yes my mistake I should have just sent the ball in to Row Z. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but not the start I wanted especially on Debut. The gaffers words still ringing in my ear and I have made such a mistake. Mental reset go again. A few easy saves and a few very good saves later and confidence is going well, we get back in Level terms at 1-1. But I am noticing my kicks are about 15-20 yards short every kick whether out of hand or from the ground.

Into the second half and more good saves when suddenly a break down in defence led to a tap in at my back post 2-1 down. A mistake into miracle save left me feeling great after I misjudged a ball off my inner right calf but turning and recovering on the goal line frustrated the striker but left me with stud marks on my right wrist (still not fully recovered) then a Good throw after being taken off dead ball kicks lead to a good break and another Equaliser. Late in the match a ball over the top and I got there second but got on to the ball and with an almighty crack the striker went down over my leg having hit about 2 inch about my shin pad.

I feared the crack was my older bones. But turned out it was the strikers ankle (wish his a speedy recovery)

Debut finished 2-2 and for the week and a bit that has followed has left me struggling with my inner self over was my mistake and the poor kicks signs that so long just coaching that I am now too far out from match ready and possibly even am I able to get back to match prepared or am I now officially passed it for competitive football.

I got a lot of praise after the game, that’s why the title because bar the mistake and my general kicking I was playing well. Don’t was a success but struggling with the fact of is it a positive for the team for me to continue.

It has led me to the fact I do know this is more than likely my last season of playing competitive but that I can accept so long as I am having a positive effect in the team and the club

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