After an excellent win last Saturday it was vital that we kept the pressure on the teams around us. Broadheath Athletico was going to be a tough fixture as we had found it difficult to break them down at home before running out 2-0 winners.
The pitch was small and the surface not too good as it was beginning to dry out and the unevenness was more apparent. We started playing down the slope with the wind at our backs and immediately took the initiative. Winning balls in midfield, dominating at the back and a constant threat up front.
The only surprise was how long it took us to take the lead as we had wasted several opportunities before our ace goalscorer, Flynn, came up with a sensational scissor kick to give us a 1-0 lead. Instead of pushing on and going for a second goal we stood off our opponents and let them get a foothold in the game. So much so that from a throw in we got the basics all wrong and allowed their forward to receive it and turn before firing a shot past Daniel giving him no chance. For the remainder of the half we found it difficult to find space and play our style of football as they pressed us all over the tight pitch and certainly played with aggression in a competitive nature. We still managed to create a couple of very good chance through Nathan, Flynn, Thomas Da and Thomas H which could have given us the lead. The score at half time was 1-1.
Again we told them at the break that they have to expect teams trying even harder against you as you are top of the league and they all want to beat you. So you have to match them with your work rate and endeavour before you can start to play. It was going to be tough playing against the wind and up the slope. The boys started the second half as they had done in the first, very much on the front foot, creating opportunities for Pearse, Thomas Da and Max where we could have done better. The Athletico boys began to tire and didnt offer anything going forward, so it became a question of whether we could get the winner. With time running out Flynn played a great ball into Ryan who had broke from midfield and he struck it only for the keepers upperarm to deflect the ball onto the crossbar !! It seemed like it wasnt going to be our day. That was until with 6mins remaioning Nathan fed a great ball into Flynn who kept his composure to slot beautifully in the bottom corner to give us a 2-1 lead.
Athletico decided to have a go for the last few minutes by pumping the ball long, but our three at the back, Daniel, Thomas M and Thomas Dy plus Ryan in front of them saw out the remainder of the game to give us a very hard fought 2-1 victory. The referee was very complimentary on our footballing style and how we tried to play on a tough surface.
All the boys put in a shift and we deserved our victory. There were 3 or 4 contenders for Man of the Match but fgor their excellent defensive displays Thomas M and Thomas Dy were named joint Man of the Match. Next game is away at Wilmslow Town next Saturday.
