Well don’t today lads. You grafted extremely well and it was disappointing to not take all three points in the end!
We spoke about how much of a battle this game was going to be and I thought you did the things I asked you to do brilliantly. You ran your socks off, contested every ball and communicated well.
We started the game well and probably had the better openings during the first half of the first half. Royals did take every opportunity to get the ball into the box with set pieces but thought we handled everything they did throw at us, superbly. Luke in goal was especially solid with his calls and handling.
Royals did grow into the game towards the end of the first half and managed to find the back of the net although we were relieved to see that the Royals striker had managed to stray offside so the goal was ruled out. 0-0 H-T.
The second half played out in similar fashion to the first half, with both teams struggling to find any clear cut goal scoring opportunities but it was us who finally managed to break the deadlock midway through the second half. Ivan managed to brilliantly weave himself into the box and square to debutant Joe who coolly dispatch his shot past the Royals keeper. 0-1!!
This goal signaled an immediate response from Royals who piled on the pressure but everything they did throw at us, we dealt with brilliantly but we couldn’t stop them from equalizing roughly 15 minutes from time. A rather hopeful ball into the danger area from their left winger led to the ball falling very kindly for their right winger who finished well past Luke to tie things up.
Both teams probed for that elusive winning goal but it stayed 1-1 which was probably a fair result on the balance of play although we can possibly consider ourselves unlucky not to have come away with the win.
MOM was again, a tough call today. Ivan was superb in the middle of the park (again!), Luke was extremely solid in goal, as was the hole of the defense but I think I have to give it to young Joe who couldn’t have asked for a tougher first game but still worked hard for the cause and managed to grab a goal on his debut!!!
We need to keep doing what we have doing previous to this match and keep taking each game as it comes. The commitment today was very pleasing to see and this type of commitment will be needed if we want to be successful this season.
Another big game at the weekend so let’s get back to winning ways!!
COYH!!!!!
