Author: erikcpanzer

What a week I had. Lots of training and a few other things to balance out my life, and enjoy Truro as a city, especially during the festive season.

We recently connected with the local College and we began our relationship with them this week as we attended a training session and actually joined in. It will be a great relationship to have and we will be able to train, along with learn from the very experienced coaches. On top of this training, I continued my routine and program at the gym, and my fitness levels continue to rise which is great. Plus my yoga twice a week is certainly making an impact in my recovery. As always, a few ball work and speed work sessions down at the local park to keep sharp, plus the two team trainings during the week. It is great to have got into a good routine with training as it allows me to monitor my progress and development.

On Wednesday, Zane and I got out of the caravan and went down town. For the month leading up to Christmas, every Wednesday evening, the city hosts markets on the streets and in the town square. It was lovely and festive, with food stalls, craft stalls, and various other things. There was also a local brass band playing Christmas tunes which added to the festivity. It was lovely to wander around and see the various foods from various countries, and a lot of locally grown farm food too. Once we had walked around enough, we headed to the bar to watch the Champions League games on the big screen and drink our waters! It was a great night and just good to get out and enjoy what the city has to offer.

On Thursday, we helped out down at the stadium, filling in divots on the field just in case we had to play a replay of our cup game this weekend. It is a chance for us to give back to the club and help out some of the volunteers that have been a huge help in us settling down here in Truro. When the lads found out we were doing some work on the field, they had a bit of a laugh about it.

 

Saturday came around and it was a very exciting occasion. We were playing Forest Green Rovers (FGR) in the first round of the FA Trophy. FGR play in the league above us and are one of the top teams in that league, vying for promotion to League 2. So a huge club with ambition and some very good players, some with Premier League experience. It was an exciting challenge that I was looking forward to, especially to test myself against better players to really see where my game was at. The weather was dubious, raining and very misty, but the game went ahead as planned. We weren’t expected to be a challenge to them or threaten them at all, but we held them scoreless at half time. Personally I wasn’t happy with my first half at all, but to go in 0-0 was positive. We hit the post in the last minute of the first half, so we could have actuall
y gone in ahead. At half time I rung out about half a litre of water from my shirt, gathered my thoughts and refocused for the second half. We just had to keep going and keep working together as a unit, and we were sure to nick a goal. Of course, the last thing we wanted to do was concede in the first 10min of the second half, and sure enough they made the breakthrough in the 50th minute. However, we absorbed the pressure and then turned the tables a bit, looking very dangerous on the counter attack. We had kept ourselves right in the game, and with about 20min left, we equalized from a corner. And now we were really pushing them and getting in behind with our pace up front. In the last 10min we had 3-4 fairly clear cut chances to take the lead but could not equalize. It finished 1-1 and we would have to replay them at home on Tuesday. Personally, I felt a completely different player in the second half. I was much more aware and clinical in the second half. It was a promising display in the second half, and now I will get another chance to put out that type of performance for the full game this Tuesday. For once, the bus ride wasn’t too long and we were home before 10pm. Recovery had already begun for me on the bus making sure to stretch and drain my legs on the journey home.

As my Sundays go, I went for a nice long 10km run to rid the body of any niggles from the game and refresh it and prepare it for Tuesday. I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon in the sun on the steps of the caravan reading my book, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. It is a great story behind one of the worlds largest brands today, Nike. It is very hard to put down.

Highlights from the game can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/iF_70_VMaPQ

 

 

This week was a tough week mentally to keep going, to keep training, to stay motivated, to know that there will be an end outcome. But it is the possibilities of outcomes that do keep me going. Not knowing what opportunities may arise in the future is something that makes me work harder and train better so that I can take advantage of whatever opportunities do come.

The weather got cold during the week and both team training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday were below zero sessions. Certainly fresh air for sure. Although the temperatures were cold, the trainings were productive and I continued to receive feedback from the coaches and my list of areas of improvement keeps growing, but now I am aware of these areas, I am more prepared in games and feel as though my consistency is there and I’m developing in the areas that I need to.

With the weather being colder, it meant that the skies were clearer and I was able to witness some great sunsets from the caravan park. And yes, the sun sets at 4.20pm currently. And with clear sunsets, came starry nights, which are always lovely to see. Reminds me a bit of home for sure.

My good deed of the week was when I was returning from a training session at the local park, a guy was trying to roll start his friends car. I offered a hand and after a few attempts, we got it going, and I kept going on my merry way 🙂

On Friday, thanks to our teams Goalkeeper coach who works at the local high school, Truro and Penwith College, had organized for us to meet with the sports department and football coaches. The intention for the meeting was for us to be able to use the schools turf field as it is a nice surface, and as winter sets in, the local park isn’t going to be sustainable. Zane had been sick all week, so I headed along myself. I had great conversation with the coaching staff at the school and was able to watch one of their sessions. The schools top team is associated with Chelsea FC’s Foundation, and so all their gear is Chelsea, and they get to go up and train 4 times a year at Chelsea’s grounds, along with many other perks. Anyway, the coaches offered for us to train with the team, even coach some sessions for the team, and just share our knowledge with the group. One of the things that I will be offering to them is my knowledge on the USA University System as the coaches want to open the players eyes to that route. And Truro College is a top academic institution, so there would be great opportunities for their players to get into some great Universities in the USA. All positive stuff and a great opportunity and organization to be involved with.

 

Saturday was game day. We played Bishops Stortford, bottom of the league. We were unbeaten in 4. Confidence was high, but as a team, we did not perform. We made some crucial mistakes that cost us the game unfortunately. Losing 2-1. Individually, I felt as though pieces are coming together in my game as I continued to focussed on developing the certain areas that need work in my game. I have continued to develop a better understanding of the position I am playing, but also the function of our backline. So it was just another learning experience, individually and for the team. Onwards to next weeks FA Trophy first round game against Forest Green Rovers.

My Sunday run took me down new country roads and along some lovely farms. Just great to see the countryside a bit, all the while I am recovering and getting my legs back from the game the night before. During the afternoon I got out the cooking items and cooked up some Banana Chocolate Chip Bread. The first one was good, but the second came out even better. So a nice treat for throughout the week.

 

The weeks are becoming more familiar, the town is more familiar and the results are more familiar too. It was another very productive week for me. Consistent training each day, and most often twice a day too. The gym has been serving me well, and the weather dried up a bit which allowed me to get out on the field and do some ball work, which is always needed. I have been able to attend yoga classes twice a week and they have been great for recovery but also general flexibility and well-being. I can feel progress each session and there are some areas that I hope to continue to work on and progress for my own benefit.

We also got a few hours of work training in at the bar which was nice to get that ball rolling. And on Wednesday, I headed into town to view the annual light and lantern festival. The streets were filled with thousands of people and various groups from the community, mostly school children, paraded down with hand crafted lanterns. There were some very impressive ones. And what could be said to be the highlight of the night was when all the Christmas street lights were finally turned on in Truro. The town just lit up, and now whenever you’re in town after dark, there are always lights hanging across the streets and down the buildings.

It was another week of lots of media, with the story of two kiwis traveling thousands of miles to live in a caravan and play non-league football hitting the headlines. The story was featured on BBC Sport and The Sun also picked it up. Lots of exposure which is just what we want in our quest to hopefully be seen by the important people and we can progress in the English ranks. The links are on my press page. With this increase in press, I have become more active on twitter. Feel free to follow my account as the journey continues. And to top it all off, we were invited into BBC Cornwall Radio studios on Friday to be on air for 20 minutes. Zane, myself and Peter, the clubs chairman, were there and had an enjoyable time. The link to the radio interview is here, and the start time of our time on air is at 2.07.03

Our team trainings have continued to develop and become more structured and purposeful. There is an increased intensity at training and a desire to achieve which is great. And on top of this, both nights I was able to stay behind and do extra work to continue my learning and development. Rory had watched me closely in the game last Saturday and had a few key points of feedback to share. I was then able to review on the film to understand each situation better and on Thursday night we practiced the areas needing improvement. The process was very good, and to be able to receive immediate feedback from both Rory and Hodgey was very helpful. Every little bit of improvement is so key to my development, which will hopefully allow me to continue to rise through the ranks.

Our game this weekend was the third round qualifier for the FA Trophy, which is a cup for Non-league teams. We played against Frome Town, who a few of my friends that I have made in football have played for previously, so a familiar team name at least. They are in the league below us, but were a decent side. The score didn’t fully reflect the game too much, as we just took our chances and they didn’t, however they didn’t have too many decent chances. We were clinical and won 6-1, which could have been more. Very disappointed to have conceded the one goal, as a clean sheet is always nice, but the back line once again was very solid. We are becoming more comfortable with each other and the roles we play which is important to allow for the trust to develop between each other. As always, there is room to improve. In terms of my individual performance, I was much happier with how I played this week compared to last week. I was able to apply some of my learnings in certain areas of my game and that made me more solid and effective. A positive performance for sure.

 

As always, my Sunday morning run took me on a little adventure, this time along a long single lane country road past many paddocks and farms. Home is never too far away! The rest of Sunday wasn’t anything special with more recovery and rolling out and a fair bit of relaxing too!

I had another very productive week here in Truro, on the field and off the field. Being able to finally settle down in Truro has been great and it has allowed for me to get some routine back into my life. The individual training continued this week with Zane at a local park, getting lots of touches in and working on technique and various things. We have also joined a gym just down the road from our caravan and made full use of it. I went in 4 times during the week to do various things, some strength, some power, some fitness, and always a fair bit of recovery. I am also waiting to receive my gym program from my old strength and conditioning coach from back at Quinnipiac so when that comes, it will make my gym sessions more purposeful. On Friday, we went to a yoga class, which was great for the body and just what was needed after a long week of training.

From last weeks game and throughout the week, I received a fair bit of press which is always nice. This came on the back of a couple good performances, but like I said in one of the interviews, the key for me in my position is consistency now. Plus I also know that the more games I play, the more developed my game will become. So although it was nice to receive recognition, I know that I need to learn a lot more and continue to develop my game if I am to be able to take that step to the next level. That is the whole reason why I am here and I am prepared to learn and become better, so I remain open to development and feedback in training and games.

The winter weather has really hit in I think, although I’m not 100% sure of the weather patterns in Cornwall. All I do know is that for a few days during the week, we had nearly everything; rain, wind, hail, and a bit of sun. It sure is part of the English experience, and who knows if there will ever be any consistency to it as winter progresses. I wouldn’t mind a little more sunshine, even if the air is crisp.
Saturday was the day that the week had led up to, and we embarked on what would be a 19hr trip from Truro to Hemel Hempstead and back. On this type of away trip, results usually don’t come easy, and this one certainly didn’t. It was a huge grind for most of the 90 minutes, but the team held strong and on the back of an early free kick from Zane, we held on for a 1-0 win. So that is another win and another clean sheet which was a good feeling to have as we embarked on our long journey home. Personally, it was another game of learning, continuing to understand my new position and using my judgement on the field in certain situations. At times, I struggled, but now that I am aware of most of it, I can look back at the video and really see how my performance was. The game just showed what a team that fights together till the end can really do, and it took all of us to make sure we took those 3 points home.

Sunday had my usual morning run to get the legs going and refreshed after a full 90min and a long bus journey. And then I went to the gym to do a long foam roll and stretching session with a few abs and push ups in there too. Really taking care of my body so that it is fresh and ready for another week of training.

Here are the highlights from last weekends 2-0 win at home against Margate:

A lot can change in a week. Finally based in Truro, I was able to find my way around, do some errands and just get a feel of the city. It is a lovely wee town and will certainly be a nice place to wander round and spend time. During the day, Zane and I went across to the club to see one of the groundsman, Ron. We had a good chat with him and then spent the evening at his place for dinner with him and his wife. A lovely home cooked meal is always a treat, and some great conversation and stories.

Tuesday would become a very long day as we had an away game at 7.45pm. From the time we left the BnB in Truro and arrived back home that evening, it was 17hrs later, arriving in at 4am! But it was well worth it as we brought home 3 valuable points with us. Whitehawk’s pitch was unbelievable. It was on the biggest slope ever and I’m not sure how that is up to FA standards, and of course it was freezing and raining and windy, so a top result in those conditions. It certainly made for a happier bus ride home, and I finally had to sing a song as my team initiation. A trusty song that everyone knows, Your Beautiful by James Blunt was my choice and it got the boys going!

On Wednesday, we went over to the club again to fill Ron in on the game as he was unable to travel that evening. He was so happy that we won and the team was turning a corner. Instead of going on our recovery run around Truro, Ron offered to take us out to the beach in Perranporth to do our recovery there while he sat in a cafe. The beach was lovely and I ran a few lengths before having a good stretch and then waded into the ocean for the all natural ice bath. It was beautifully cold but refreshing and made my legs feel better!

Thursday was fairly uneventful other than having training that evening. A

nd on Friday, it was an exciting day for me as we finally got to move into the caravan. I was so happy to finally get settled and just unpack my suitcase and thats exactly what I did. It has all we need really. Fairly spacious with a good kitchen and lounge area. So I couldn’t be happier to finally have a place to call home!

After a stretch of 3 away games, we were finally back at home, and it was my first start at home. We played Margate who were a few points below us, so it was a huge game to create some distance and begin to climb the table for us. Due to all the rain during the week, the pitch was very very muddy and it was tough to play pretty football. However we ground it out, took our chances, and stayed solid defensively to get a 2-0 win. First back-to-back wins this season for the team, so things are finally looking up. Much to my surprise, the Truro City Supporters Club named me man of the match, and I received a bottle of champagne after the game as the award.

A nice surprise, however I know that I am only just getting settled and there is lots of improvement and development still need for me to get to where I want to be. Nonetheless, the recognition of a good performance is always nice. It was just lovely to return to what I can call home now after the game and relax and recover!

My Sunday tradition of a recovery run continued. Today my route took me exploring for fields that we can use to train on. I went past a primary school that had a field open to public access, and then followed a trail past Truro College’s fields and facilities, which are all top class. However, they are all locked behind high gates and recorded by cameras, so a little difficult to use them. The trail I continued to run was lovely and a nice little discovery. The rest of my afternoon was casual with a bit of shopping and then Zane and I headed down to the Primary School park to pass a ball around and just shake the legs out. I cooked the first full meal in our new home, which was spaghetti bolognese. Turned out great. And sadly, the Quinnipiac Men’s Soccer team season came to an end today as they lost in the final of their conference championship. A great season but just couldn’t get over the hurdle.

Sunday was also filled with lots of tracking of the Earthquake and numerous aftershocks and I hope that all my friends and family are safe and well and unaffected by the quake. Never fun being so far away and helpless during these events!

 

 

This week went by in very similar fashion to the others. I was able to train everyday, whether it was with the team or on my own. The weather wasn’t the best however fresh air was always lovely. I picked up a few little projects to work on this week which kept me occupied and filled my time which was nice. I was also able to continue reading my book, which has been very relevant to the experience I am having.

Saturday came around and I was in for a long day. 5.3oam wake up to get to the appropriate meeting place for the bus. It was a long bus journey to St Albans, but we made it safe and sound. It was a nice wee stadium and the field was in great condition with a slickness to it. I unfortunately did not feature and we got beat 5-0. It sure has been a rough beginning and I am working hard to hopefully get my opportunity soon. I just have to be sure to take it when I do get it. Time will tell when that will be. We then had to make the same long journey home. I caught a ride back from Truro to Falmouth with the team cameraman and we had some great conversation and he had lots of suggestions for me regarding continuing my studies while I am here. So a little silver lining to my day for sure. 

I continued my tradition of a Sunday morning run and once again had a lovely run around the ocean and up the hills. A nice way to clear the mind and refresh myself for a new week.

 

My week began as my recent weeks all had. Nothing too exciting really. I walked to the park in which I do my training at and got a good session in; ball work, fitness, and speed work. In the afternoon I did some errands before I walked to the oceanside to watch the sunset. It was lovely.

Tuesday was the same. A casual day where I was able to do some reading. And then In the evening I set off on my 6hr round trip to training and back. Its a 25min train ride from Falmouth to Truro, then I get picked up in Truro and we drive to training. Train for 60-75min and then head on home. By the time I get back to Truro, the train service no longer runs so I have to take the bus, which goes each hour. Of course I arrived at the bus station 15min after the bus left so I had to wait 45min for the next one. I take my foam roller so I use this time to stretch and roll out. Not a bad time filler at all, and great for my body!

Wednesday involved individual training where I got 2500+ touches on the ball through juggling, dribbling, and passing against a wall. I also got some fitness in and then had another casual afternoon.

Thursday was a lovely sunny day and so I took my book(kindle) and headed for the oceanside. Usually when the days have been lovely, there is always a breeze at the beach, but for the last few days there haven’t and I have been able to comfortably sit there in the clothes I dressed in. I ran a couple errands later in the day, before I set off on my trip for training again. Trainings have been changed to earlier, well at least a little bit earlier so when I returned from training I managed to catch the earlier bus which meant I got back to Falmouth before midnight….bonus!

On Friday I went off and did my own training in the morning again. Similar fashion to the other sessions I do, with ball work and speed work, however I extended my fitness session today, as I was made aware that I wouldn’t be starting on Saturday last night. So it was a little frustrating, but I just put my head down and put in the work I needed to to keep my fitness up and be ready when I get my opportunity! I was able to do some more reading in the afternoon, making the most of the weather, before a casual evening. 

Saturday dawned and it was game day. I ate appropriately and sorted my things out before I headed to the train station for the game. The weather was fairly sunny, but the wind was brisk, however throughout the afternoon the weather kept changing. The routine is getting more familiar now, especially having three home games in a row. Go through the warm up, split off from the starters, and then head back in just before they come out and we get dressed for the bench and then we watch on. We conceded early again, but the opposition wasn’t anything like the previous two teams we had played. Still it was frustrating to watch from the bench. We clawed our way back into the game and were leading 2-1 until they scored with 10min to go. The game finished 2-2. I came on in the 93rd minute because of an injury to one of our players, and I was on the field for all of 45seconds before the ref blew for full time. Showered and dressed and back to the train station to head back to Falmouth. I was able to talk to my parents which is always nice, especially during my challenging transition. And then it was just a casual evening.

On Sunday, I carried on my tradition of the last 3 weeks of going for a run. I scouted out a new path to take for this one which took me all along the coast. It was very windy and the weather wasn’t great, and I was hoping that would decline the number of people on the track. It did not, so I was consistently ducking and weaving and saying “coming through on your right”, which 90% of people then decided to move to the right…Language barriers huh….Oh well, it was a lovely long run to get my mind clear again. 8miles/13km in just under an hour isn’t too bad at all! My afternoon consisted of watching the Blackcaps and then Manchester United. Both very disappointing results. Onward! Hopefully next week there is more action in various areas of my life.