SAL Division 2 - 4th November 2006

On Saturday it was Cars turn to travel over to HSBC for the return fixture of our opening league game. Having beaten HSBC at Beddington Park Cars were optimistic about coming away with something from this game but also wary of the threat that HSBC posed. The game started with HSBC pretty much dominating the opening 25 minutes, winning the second ball time and time again with Cars very much on the back foot but still keeping the score level. 

It was then that Backers came up with some vision to roll the ball quickly to Andy Taylor who carried it in to the heart of the midfield. With Wiggy attracting the attention of the defenders, Scott decided that he actually does have some sort of pace and made a forward run which Taylor noticed and slid a delightful through ball to the advancing Poulier. At this point Swanny turned to me and mentioned that he called that pass - this may be the case Swanny but I doubt somehow that you have the quality on the deck to execute the pass.  Had it been in the air you may have a case!!  Scott picked up the ball and the keeper came out but Poulier kept his composure and slotted the ball home with the outside of his right boot with the aid of a deflection from the keeps. (I mentioned to Scott that I thought it might be going wide but he assured me otherwise.) 

It must be said that before this moment of vision from Backers, he had previously rushed out of goal to meet the ball with a very special air shot only for the attacker to hit the bar. This was very much against the run of play but a goal that was very welcome. Unfortunately, less than 5 minutes later HSBC broke out and their right midfielder struck a sweet shot past Backers into the roof of the net. A goal that they deserved but disappointing from our point of view as we should know better to keep it tight after going ahead. The only other incident of note was an advanced run from Dave Tilley (me), that's right, a forward and darting run from left back, that was met with a juicy chipped pass from Jonny Bizzle (Biggle).  A great touch from me but the cross didn't find its target. I am sure this is due to the run rather than the quality of the cross!!! I did however get another opportunity to swing it over and what can only be described as a sexy ball was unfortunately not converted by the Cars attackers. 1-1 at the break. 

Second half saw a start with a good battle between the two teams with both of them struggling to get a solid foot hold in the game and with the size of the pitch it became a lot more open than the first half. Neil Backers made some very impressive saves to keep Cars in the game, notably from a cross at our far post. We also had a couple of breakdowns in defence that gave HSBC a couple of openings but we rode our luck. We didn't have too many clear cut chances in the second half but Jonny Phillips struck a crisp shot from some 30 yards but the keeper was up to it. Throughout the game me and Webbo both did our best to get past our midfielders but after the 90 agreed that once you had made the run, to look back and see Neil as nothing but a dot on the horizon was a vision of pain knowing that the sprint back was going to be a long one. 

For a ground that rarely gives Cars anything, a point was a very good and thoroughly deserved result and it is encouraging to see us continue in our current form and trying to play good passing football as often as we can.  Hopefully we can take this point along with our other recent results and now push on in the league to make a real go at promotion this year. As a final note, would like to thank all those that came down to marvel at the game and for Wiggy's comments afterwards, directed to me, 'you are clearly a great catch, bald, fat and unemployed!'  Thanks Wiggs!!!

Dave Tilley