Beeston's defensive concept

Seven goals conceded in a single outing is a bold choice. It is the kind of scoreline that suggests the defenders spent the first half discussing a new tactical shape and the second half wondering where it all went wrong. One assumes the Acton centre-backs are currently staring at a wall in silence (probably in a very small dressing room).

To be fair, Beeston were efficient. They didn't overcomplicate things. They just kept putting the ball in the net until Acton stopped trying to play out from the back. It was a clinical display of punishment. Most teams would be thrilled with seven goals, but for Acton, it is simply a very loud way of confirming they are struggling.

The rest of the league is playing a cautious game of chess. Wellsford Athletic are top with a tidy six points, which is the sort of stability Acton could only dream of while conceding goals at will.

There is always the hope that this was a one-off. A collective lapse in concentration. A bag of sand in the boots of the entire back four. In reality, it looks more like a fundamental lack of a plan. They are perhaps one for the future, provided the future involves a lot more defending.