We played the top of the league side that has won every game and only conceded 4 goals.  This was a very tough game with key players missing through injury. We all wish James Chambers, Andrew Ferrznolo & Steve Greenslade a speedy recovery.

The first half was one-way traffic with Roberto Carlos hitting the bar with a great shot. We had several more chances with man of the match Tony Edwards pulling the strings in the midfield.  Ben Docherty was very close to man of the match again with a solid performance in the heart of defence.  We missed some other good chances and I knew goals were coming as they struggled to contain our Euro –train.  They doubled up defenders on him after 20 minutes, which opened things up for us.

0-0  at half time and we looked like the better side. 

With the sun in our eyes in the second half we struggled and let in a goal that had a hint of off side about it.  The second goal came minutes later after a midfielder picked the ball up in the centre of the park and no one closed him down. He got within a few feet of the box then unleashed a shot that deflected off my ankle into the bottom corner.  This could be considered as an own goal… I came off after this and made a good tactical change.

To give them some credit they did battle well in the midfield at this stage and picked up a booking for dissent.  It certainly wasn’t the foul on Punko that got the midfielder booked.

2 down and the work started.

We stepped up a gear and showed great character. The ball found its way to Tony Edwards who’s fantastic ball on the outside of his boot put Dave Robins in on goal who finished first time with a good left foot drive.  He did say that he only scores after Christmas.  Good timing and not a minute too late.  I think their heads dropped a bit as they are not used to teams scoring against them. That was all about to change.  A few minutes later Daniel Hewitt's long throw got a flick from our very own walking gnome “Tony”, and Roberto Carlos drilled home a great volley.

2-2 and the game could go either way.  We dug in and got the winner with 10 minutes to go.  Ed Adkins scored a fine left footed drive into the bottom corner.  After this they tried to get forward at every opportunity and tested our defence.  Ed Jennings almost gave away a penalty with minutes to go but the ref deemed it as “ball to hand” thank God.

A GREAT result, which keeps us in the race for promotion.

Well done lads.  It’s nice to beat sides that become complacent. 

James Greenhouse