Boots managed to claw a victory from the jaws of defeat on Sunday following a last half hour which one man described as.... 'crazier than Neil Taylor's hair'.
Robbed of Pattoooooo's services in the morning due to a case of mouth ulcers (I believe this may be the first time mouth ulcers have ever resulted in a played being 'unavailable'), Boots started ok but were struggling to get any kind of rhythm going into the wind and soon Trent Vale were on top. However it was a couple of fortunate goals which gave them the early lead with a speculative 25 yard shot bouncing awkwardly into the near post and then almost a minute later a through ball being got to by their striker before Neil H and the striker slotting in comfortably. Boots were struggling at this point and a third arrived when after Spence had headed the ball clear, a quick through ball enabled their striker to run through and score. We started to get back into it and play our normal game but things were breaking down too easily and frustrations were starting to rise.
After some stern words at half time Boots started positively in the second half but against the run of play a corner was not cleared and as Rob B cleared it off the line it hit the back of Neil H's arm at went in. Frustrations boiled over at times from the Boots team with the referee warning both Neil T and Simon for what can only be described as a 'disagreement'.
It was then that the manager (me) made some inspirational switches. I came off for Brett who slotted in at right back with Rob B moving to the middle. Ten minutes later two changes were made with Si on for Neil T and Chris on for Kieron.
Boots then pushed their advantage with goals from Bally (x3 - all headers), Rob B and a shot from Rowan which the wind caught and looped over the keeper. Meanwhile this recovery wasg reated with a great response on the sidelines (although Ash was more gutted he hadn't bet on us to win from 4-0 down and I was busy taking the mickey out of Neil T's hair). In was a fantastic win given the situation after 60 mins but we were aided by some dubious goalkeeping (pushing our winner into his own goal) and their team going down to 10 after their last sub was injured.
Manger's Thoughts:
It was great to get a win and keep our league momentum going especially into Sunday's game with Brooks Villa which I expect us to win again. However we must start better than we have been doing. In the last few weeks we have always had to fight from a goal or two or three down. There is only so long we can get away with this. We need to take control of games early and then ensure we stay on top.
