There's been a big change to the Pumas. Formerly an U17 side, we've headed into senior football and so, as you might expect, there is an adjustment to be made. Also, quite a lot of change has happened to the team. Naturally, we lost about half of the squad over the summer, but gained several excellent players from one of our former U18 Saturday teams. Added to that, we have a couple of strong, properly senior players and one, erm, very (and very occasional) senior player.

Fortunately, we've not gone straight into the season without having a few friendlies first. Unfortunately, some of those didn't go so well but then, with the all the changes in the squad, there has been a lot to figure out, both for managers and for players.

To show that we're getting there, today's first league game was against a team we played in one of those friendlies. In that respect, we've made a huge improvement over that game's 6-2 loss. These first few games are going to be games from which we will learn and we'll definitely beat Calcot next time for whilst we will learn and develop our game, established Sunday sides won't.

The match was initially frustrated by a carload of players being late so we didn't open as we intended, with some players having to drop into unfamiliar roles. Although the play was contained for these 10 minutes, the Calcot side scored from a free kick, ball whistling past the wall. With changes made as players arrived and warmed up, the team was returned to the intended starting 11.

Again, I think I'd describe our play during this period as being contained but not especially threatening. That said, Jacob made an impact when he came on and very nicely began to knock the ball around, Rondo style, so we kept possession more but, between the team, there was nary a shot at the opposition goal when we moved things forward. It was like we kept running into 90 kilo walls.

Calcot's second goal was also scored in the first half and, frankly, an easy goal afforded to them through a complete lack of challenge on a header in our 18 yard box.

At the half time break, I set out that we were, actually, the better team but needed to play to our strengths – which we simply weren't. We are fast and we can play football but we were neither in the first half because we weren't moving the ball between us. All Calcot really did was punt the ball and hope for the best. In fact, if you watched their back four, it didn't even matter which direction they punted it because it went out for throws and corners half as much as it went forward! There wasn't much skill there at all but it was proving to be effective. In addition, there were about 10-15 kilos more in bodyweight per player than our Pumas – a key difference between an established Sunday league team and a youth team coming through.

So if we were going to make a difference, we needed to pass and move the ball and beat them with speed. We also needed to stop playing long high balls ourselves because those four defenders would just use their size and punt the ball back again with whatever first touch was necessary. And, if we had body weight of our own, we needed to use it. If we didn't, there was no point running into players unless fully committing.

As such that second half was like chalk and cheese. Our passing meant we could retain possession and the play some beautiful, fast football down the wings, removing the threat of the big defenders, and thus become a threat in our own right. Dan E, whether he played right-mid or right-back, would get the ball up the pitch and power it across into the danger area. Jacob almost finished two brilliant such crosses from Dan, but Jack P connected well and sent the ball flying into the net. We got our reward.

In keeping possession and thus control, we started to make excellent switches of play. A key provider of such movements was Jacob, who ended up becoming a player magnet, often drawing two, sometimes three players into his space.

Basically, we had changed how we were playing and created many more opportunities that finally yielded going-scoring opportunities. Ethan was unlucky not to score from one volley. Another opportunity, saw Jack P finding himself one-on-one with the keeper with defenders unable to catch up. Unfortunately, it bounced off the keeper but, for more than just one moment, we almost got the game back to 2-2. Equalising became a distinct possibility.

As for the third goal conceded, it literally was in the last few minutes when a break down the left resulted in a swipe across the box. To be honest, I thought the ref had already called the game but it was the game on the pitch next to us. Maybe that was the reason we switched off for the moment? I don't know – but the result doesn't belie the second half at all.

If the team are being hard on themselves, they shouldn't be. Chatting with George, he didn't think he had a good game but I would beg to differ. Although he may not have had spells where he could run with the ball perhaps as in youth football, as DM, he got well stuck in and used his height and strength to control midfield. He did a lot without the ball and played his part well. He also stopped a certain goal from a shot, heading the ball expertly over the bar. Looking back, he was pretty much always well placed to deal with the opposition and I'd say a key differentiator between the friendly, where he was absent, and today's performance.

Similarly a new player to us, McKenzie, didn't think he played that well but I think he was more than decent as right back in today's game. In the friendlies, he's been adept as a right midfielder too and has been improving in each game – so much so that I see him as a starting player. Sure, he had the odd moment today with things like a foul throw but, we can work on that if needs be, and he just need a boost to his confidence. It's an adjustment stepping up from youth football to senior football but I know he's going to be a solid player for us in the future.

Elsewhere on the pitch, I could see a few light bulb moments go off with some players. I think part of the reason why Jack P suddenly looked so much more threatening and got his goal because he started to really use his bodyweight and lean into challenges. He's strong! Similarly Ryan, one of our DMs, got increasingly more and more stuck in as the game went on. Ryan was great today – vocal on the pitch, supportive, strong and sensible in how he deployed the ball.

Before I sign off, I also wanted to give our defence and goalkeeper some public praise. Our centre-backs, Ron and Vincent both had very good game and I think these two lads will probably form our centre-back pairing. Both are strong and both knew not to do anything silly in front of goal. So too, Will, as today's left-back. He was very strong in his challenges, quick on the chase and never gave up, even with a particularly unpleasant winger to deal with. At right back, we had the aforementioned McKenzie and then Ethan for most of the second.

Then there's Luke, our keeper. He's a safe pair of hands and catches the ball well. He's great at jumping high to either steal or parry crosses away, and brave – running out to smother the ball from a player's feet. As the team settles, the coordination between him and defence will only get better.

So chin up lads. If we play like our second half in future weeks, we're going to get some wins this season. We've got to start somewhere. COYP!