If ever the cliche of "A game of 2 halves" was applicable, this game was certainly it. Historically we have never played well to my knowledge at the new Belle Vue Stadium. The very 1st time i watched The Club play was in a friendly against The Horse & Groom at Belle Vue and The Groom ran out comfortable winners there. It was shortly after that game i took over as Manager Head Coach and a pre season friendly against division 2 outfit The Scotch Arms finished in a high scoring, onesided drubbing.
And this game nearly went the same was. Pl;aying our adopted 4-3-3 formation, the plan 1st half was to play into the wind and have Peter hold the ball up for those around him while defending with 5 in midfield when we didnt have the ball. We created some decent early chances but a mistake by Tomma playing a ball across his own box saw Bar 1899 take an ealry lead and from there look comfortable for the remainder of the 1st half.
A rash tackle by skipper Kev Piggott outside the box saw his player ride the challenge, and break towards our box, leaving covering Damo Freeman to foul the player in a dangerous set piece area. The set piece was fortunate to find the back of the net as the wind played a large part in helping it home. Just before the half time whistle Damo smashed a header off the bar in which Deano still talks about to this day!!
At half time i decided to change the formation to 4-4-2 with the wind behind us and hopfully the extra man near Peter would help. With literally our 1st attack of the 2nd half we pulled level through Faz who finished well inside the box and not even a minute later we had drew level with another goal by Faz (I thought it was an own goal) The wind affected everything we did in the 2nd half to our advantage and the 1899 defence and goal keeper struggled with anything in the air and we made them pay with Faz grabbing 4 goals in the 2nd half, while Kev Dick added to his impressive haul for the season and an OG completing the scoring.
Faz had spoke to me a week earlier about him considering retiring immediately as he seems to be picking up knocks regularly and as much as i understand his feelings about this, he is still a player that brings alot of attacking threat to our team and a valuable memeber of the club. He has been pivotal in the progress the club has made since i arrived and deserves to be part of a promotion winning team. I also feel that if we do gain promotion, playing against more footballing teams and less hoofers and lumpers, Faz's injuries would be significantly less and he could enjoy another season or 2 in a higher division. But thats a chat we'll have at the end of the season.
We are now 4 pts behind Leadgate with a game in hand and them still to play. Could we do the unthinkable and win the league? I think we are more than capable, but the next 5 league games are now cup finals and we must work hard as a club to achieve it.
FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
