A dreadful defensive performance today lads and yes, the buck stops with me on this one!!
I hadn’t intended on starting myself today but as usual, things happened which meant that I had to start which in the end cost the team dearly. That doesn’t excuse my drunken state but believe me, I’m more annoyed at myself that any of you probably are!
We couldn’t have asked for a worse start. A hopeful ball forward to the W&M striker should have been dealt with easily by Luke but unfortunately, the ball slipped from his grasp and a very grateful W&R striker pounced on the loose ball to make it 0-1.
We did spray the ball round nicely at times but we always looked shaky at the back. A few smart stops from Luke kept the game at 0-1 but it wasn’t too long before we managed to go behind even further. A corner from the left hand side should have been dealt with better but instead, was nodded in from a matter of yards out. A shocking goal to concede from our point of view but W&R were more than happy to accept the gift. HT 0-2.
We spoke about giving the second half a real go and we did that in an attacking sense but defensively, we looked vulnerable. I was again blamable for several of the goals we did concede were laughable at times. 0-2 soon became 0-3 as W&R capitalized on a defensive error.
We did manage to claw one back after good work down the right hand side from.. (can’t quite recall!?) who found Danny, who finished well at the near post. A decent team move and finish. This should have signaled a fight back but instead, we again lost concentration at the back and conceded a 4th. 1-4.
We again drove forward looking for a second and we found one, through Raymond who made the most of a good corner from Joe on the right hand side. A simple nod in from an inch perfect corner. 2-4.
We couldn’t build on this goal and quickly shipped three more goals in quick succession. All goals that could have easily been avoided but it seemed destined to be one of those dreadful games where we just didn’t defended nearly well enough. 2-7.
We did manage to pull a further two goals back, both penalties, and both tucked away by Danny but they were a mere consolation in what was easily our worst performance for a LONG time. It was especially frustrating considering how well we have defended in recent weeks. FT 4-7.
I think it’s best to write off this game and concentrate on our next match which is away in the cup against Pyrford Social (weather permitting!!). I have no doubts that we can achieve something in the cup this year but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.
We have a few new players coming down which will no doubt help us massively over the closing weeks of the season so les push on and get as many positive results as possible!!
COYH!!!
