Now then, going into this match today on the back of a brilliant and deserved 3 game unbeaten run, there were thoughts that a good result could steer us to the heady heights of the top of the league! But coming out of this match, we have to accept that there is still some work to do, to reach there and stay there.
The game kicked of against another team we knew well from last season, LLD, again, they had some new additions and seemed to all have grown 4 foot higher as well! A promising start saw Bryan storm down the right and hitting a wicked cross in which Max just failed to get on the end of, then, as in recent weeks, we did it again and conceded in the 2nd minute! A corner was crossed in and Betley stood motionless as a clean shot went straight in, 0 - 1.
Betley went forward with Arron on the left, and Ben , Bryan and Mark all trying to push on, only resulting in a coupleof half skirmishes, but before any settled play took over, it was 2 - 0 as Lol uncharacteristically slipped, and left their forward with a straight run on goal, giving Kai no chance.
Changes were made for the second period, Matt came on for Arron, Sam for Mark, Max moved to defending midfield, and Alex gave Lol a rest, Bryan came off as well.
But, this was to no avail, Ben was again passing through the middle but every time we were being closed down in every area as the stamina of the other team was showing to be much greater than ours. Alex though, was throwing himself in front of everything, passing well and cutting out a lot of dangerous attacks but couldn't do it all on his own and too often, the Tigers could not get back to help.
LLD third goal arrived when their forward seemed to handle the ball clearly, the referee thought otherwise, Betley stopped, and the ball was ran into our net, a hard decision but the goal was given, a lesson there in keeping going until the referee blows, even though it looked the wrong decision at the time.
The end of the second period saw another break, and again Tigers not getting back to help and low shot under Kai for 4 -0.
Third period, and Bryan repalced Kai, Mark moved into central midfield, Ben H came on the right and Lol back on with Alex.
Again it was the back two, who had to put in overtime, Alex putting in his best performance to date, playing so assured along side Lol, and dealing with numerous attacks as yet again, the stamina was showing in Betley. It wasn't all gloom and doom dispite the score line, Mark looked very good going forward, Matt had a good shot saved and Ben H worked hard, but in the final minutes, a ball over the top saw Alex slip this time, and again the forward for LLD was one on one with Bryan, and slotted home, 5 - 0.
Game over, and deflated players and supporters, but lets just take stock a minute, we have played a team that also has improved since last season, we have played a team that a 5 - 0 scoreline flattered them, and they were not that much better than ourselves except in STAMINA, we have played a team that are now at the top, where we want to be. So the lessons are clear, the need to track back and help from the middle and the need to take our fitness levels up a gear for the forthcoming weeks.
So, heads up, and lets come out fighting fit for next week, and go on another long unbeaten run, as we know we can do it!
many thanks for your unwaving support of the boys,
Lyndon
