Casuals and Pelham deserved something out of their league opener against Foxton Old Boys FC. After a disappointing end to their pre season, Pelham knew they would have to play much better if they were to get anything out of the game against a very good Foxton side. Both teams started brightly but Foxton had the earlier success due to Pelhams sloppy play in their own half giving the ball away in areas they wouldn’t have wanted to concede possession. However even with possession being lost in those areas, a lot of last ditch defending from Pelham limited any real big Foxton chances. However it was one too many mistakes from the home side, with maybe a better clearance initially should have happened, Foxton capitalised on that and managed the break through via a slightly deflected shot from just inside the box, 1-0 to the away side. Pelham slowly started to find their feet after that goal and it gave them a bit of an awakening! However they couldn’t create any real cut chances and most of the game was contested in the middle of the park. Both sides were matched at the end of the half and the first 45 ended with Foxton holding a 1-0 lead. The second half was a much better period for the home side, as they cut out their mistakes of the first half and started to get a foothold in the game. Foxton started to try and run the clock down from the 50 minute mark and this actually seemed to help Pelham get on the front foot with the away side almost letting Pelham come on to them rather than carrying on pushing for a second goal. Pelham started to create a few more chances but just couldn’t find that final perfectly weighted pass to open Foxton up! Pelham looked like they may have had a breakthrough as Tim Shaw poked the ball past the keeper who immediately wiped him out, a stone wall penalty, but somehow the ref dismissed it and waved play on, much to the amazement from both sides. Pelham created further chances via Shaw, Simper and Richards but again saves from the keeper who had a quiet first half kept the home side out. Pelham continued to push for an equaliser with their second half deserved and nearly got it but for the crossbar as Tim Shaw rifled a volley against it. It just seemed like it would be one of those days for Pelham and the ball just wouldn’t go in for them, and they wouldn’t get the rub of the green after that unbelievable penalty decision went against them. Pelham pushed and pushed but couldn’t find a goal and much to their frustration the game finished 1-0 to Foxton. Top second half performance today which we haven’t had in pre season and we certainly deserved something out of that game today. Foxton had one chance and took it so hats off to them, but running the clock down from 50 minutes and then the disappointment from ourselves after the game not to come away with anything told us all we needed to know. On another day we could have got a point or even three off the back of that performance today so unlucky lads. Carry on like that and we’ll do alright this season.
