We went into this game knowing that we had to improve greatly on last week’s performance.

Due to a few injuries we had a bit of a different line up including leaving myself on the bench.

We definitely started the better side, and as requested, looked a different side to last Saturday. We were working hard for each other providing the easy ball for the man in possession on most occasions. A few times to many we didn’t take the easy ball, but seemed to be getting away with it.

After a good spell of pressure the breakthrough came when a good cross from Steve Hayes was headed home by Jay Breen. From this point on we had most of the possession and were managing to limit Winchmore Hill to nothing more than long range efforts. These did on occasion get a little close for comfort and John made a couple of good saves. At no point though did our defence get penetrated, and this was due to some great defending all through the back four, marshalled by Tom Thoroughgood. We broke through Winchmore’s defence a few times but just couldn’t get the final pass right, or the final touch. 1-0 it stayed at half time.

Winchmore came out a lot stronger in the second half and were definitely up for a game. We also seemed to stop doing the simple things as well as in the first half. The game seemed to be rocking backwards and forwards but both defences were holding firm. With fifteen minutes to go, Ferz signalled that he needed to come off and I brought myself on, with the intention of shoring up the midfield and holding firm.

 5 minutes later Winchmore Hill scored. Although it followed my entrance it wasn’t my fault. We just seemed to lose our concentration for a while. Obviously this gave Winchmore the boost they needed and they pushed on looking for a winner. We also had a few breaks but they all came to nothing.

 The game appeared to heading for extra time when they won a corner in approximately the 90^th Minute. A good corner was sent over and their man rose to head home. Unfortunately this was my fault. It was my man that scored and I hold my hands up to that. Apologies.

 We threw everything forward for the last 2 minutes but it came to nothing. 2-1 to Winchmore it finished and its fair to say we were gutted at having defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

 Although this was a vast improvement on last week, we have got to produce solidly over 90 minutes (something we haven’t done yet this season), and also keep our concentration (myself included). Nobody in the team disgraced themselves but have to mention brilliant performances from Tom Thoroughgood in running the defence and keeping things tight, and also Jay Breen for an awesome display of work rate up front. Some need to take a look at this ask themselves if they are putting as much in.

 We will face this side 2 more times this season in the league so have the opportunity to put things right.

Ben Doherty