In what looked our most organised performance of the season we suffered an unfortunate 2-1 defeat.
We were the stronger side in the first half this afternoon, but just couldn’t break the deadlock. Centre half’s Jan, Baker and Gregson looked solid an perfectly set up for the first 45 with nothing really phasing them. We offered a constant threat down the left wing with Farkas up and down the line as well as Jano offering an outlet on the right hand side.
The central midfield looked at its best today with the ever reliable Krzysztof an Hudak sitting just in front of the defence breaking down everything the opposition tried to play through there. Partnered with Jordan W who impressed today playing his first game of the season. Great work rate on his defensive game and was brilliant to watch looking out to find the runs and space. Strikers Tom and Reeve worked incredibly hard in the first half and we’re unlucky not to get any rewards, with some great chances, constant pressing and some lovely passes from both Jordan K and Jordan W.
We went into the break confident and came out sharp looking to take the lead. After some back and fourth football we won a free kick just inside the oppositions half. A great delivery into the box from Jordan W, was met by the head of Tom which he looped the ball over the keeper to get off the mark for the season. 1-0 Sparta.
S.T Patrick’s responded instantly catching our defence out for the first time in the game with a long ball over the top and a mistake at the back cost a goal an they pulled level 1-1. As time went on the game continued to go back and fourth, Jan made way for Sorin who came on and offered fresh legs at the back. After the change we started to build again and take control, with both Jordan’s looking to find the space, both Kris and Hudak working hard to win back possession high up the pitch and forwards Reeve and Tom closing everything down and trying to make the most of the tight pitch. We came close after some great efforts involving Jordan, Hudak Reeve an Tom. Unfortunately Tom who had been excellent today and looks to be getting stronger every week took a knock and made way for Matej who came on up tops and shown great work rate. Pressing high up the pitch trying to force a mistake. Another change was made with Jano, who had been well worked over the 70 odd minutes, came off, Matej dropped back to the right and striker Taylor came on to make his first appearance since suffering an injury last season.
It wasn’t long after this change that the home side took the lead. With a great ball in from the right hand side they had 2/3 lads linking up at the back post which couldn’t be feat with by Matej and was hit him from point blank range. 2-1. We still didn’t lie down after that goal, Gregson got the lads going again and his partner Baker won every challenge he had to make. We changed it up going 4 at the back and pushing Matej up into a front 3. Further fantastic work from centre mids Kris, Hudak an Jordan, alongside the support of fullbacks Farky and Baker. An encouraging first game back for Tay who was unlucky not to get anything from his run out but good first signs from the young striker who looks to carry on his encouraging form from last season.
