Yet another game that i was worried about going into, but i was justified in my worry with Matty, Kev Dick and Faz away this weekend as well as Del away with work and Kev Piggott on the sideline for another 2 weeks, we were going into the game against 3rd placed Sun Inn with some key players missing. The Sun (Before Sunday) were 10 points behind us but had 2 games in hand, meaning if they were to beat us both home and away they could leap frog us in the league. So i saw them as a threat, especially with the players missing that we were.
I had managed to bolster our defensive options with the midweek acquisition of former Hat & Feather and Scotch Arms defender, Richard "Pally" Toner. Like all good sunday morning transfer business, the deal to bring Pally to the club was boxed off last Saturday night in The Fountain, whilst clattered watching the Euback Jnr/Saunders fight. Pally is a great defender and is just the type of player we need to move the club forward and i'm thrilled he's signed.
So going into the game i decided to stick with the 4-3-3 formation, but more that i felt it was the best for the players i had left. And although we had 5 players missing, we still managed to have a full 5 man bench. (That's going to be a head ache in future i foresee coming my way.)
We got ontop of the game very quickly and a lovely ball from Tomma into Peter Jackson saw him run through on goal and with his first shot blocked, Peter nodded in the rebound. From there on the game was like a tennis match with neither team getting hold of the ball or creating many clear chances, both defences were called into play regularly. Midfield was organised but wasteful in possesion which limited our chances, however Peter put a proper shift in up top chasing down the loose ends and stretching their defense to have to defend absolutely everything.
Not long before half time we won a corner and a "Trade Mark Thompson" (See what i did there) corner to the back post saw none other than Damo pop up and smash home a header, he loves a back post header that lad.
The 2nd half saw The Sun get on the ball alot more and our 2 center halves especially were called into duty and dealt with everything that was thrown at them as captain for the day Karl Muirhead and debutant Pally, looked like they had been playing next to each other all season.
However Man of the match Andy Gowland was equally assured behind them and although he never had many shots to stop, his handling, decision making and distribution is improving week on week and at 17yrs old will certainly become a top draw goalkeeper.
Noteable mention must also go to Damon Freeman who played the defensive midifield role fantastically and also slotted into the back four nicely when called upon. Damo is a warrior and just the type of lad you need when the chips are down, he's proving to be a massive player for us at the moment.
Deano wrapped up the scoring with a back post finish to some nice work that Damo had sent through to Peter. With the game finishing 3-0. I was as impressed with the clean sheet as the 3 goal victory.
It was nice to see so many lads go back to their boozer and have a drink with them after they had lost player Liam Britton the week prior.
Finally...
I realise that some players are frustrated with the lack of game time or the position they are playing in at the moment (I know who you are and i'm sure you do too.) I said at the beginning of the season that i would do whats best for the team and being 2nd in the league, 2 points behind the leaders and a good way ahead of the team in 3rd, i've delivered on that. If you are not happy with your current situation, please either contact me via phone, text or facebook and i'll be happy to discuss it further.
No game this sunday so next game is the week after (Darby day) and is a 9:30am (NINE THIRTY) Kick off so please meet at the pitch no later than 8:45
