Mancunia FC 1–2 Crookes United: Falcon-Ridge has the touch
Crookes United went into Mancunia with the look of a side expecting a proper hiding. They came away with a 2-1 win. It was honest work. Lucas Falcon-Ridge has managed to turn a group of lads who usually leak goals into something resembling a wall.
He did not rely on some fancy system. He just made them stand their ground. The victory was built on a few grim blocks and a total refusal to panic when Mancunia started pushing. It is a rare thing to see a manager keep a squad this calm while the opposition is shouting for blood. Falcon-Ridge sat in his area with a look of mild boredom, even as his side snatched the lead.
He has the players believing in him. That is the only thing that matters in this game. Most managers would have spent the match pacing the technical area. Falcon-Ridge just stood there, perhaps wondering if he had left the oven on.
There is little room to reset before tomorrow. Mancunia will be licking their wounds, but Crookes United are humming. If Falcon-Ridge can keep the lads this disciplined, they might actually start winning things. It is not rocket science, lad. He just knows how to get the best out of them.