The situation took a hit right from the start with a handful of players pulling out of the match at the last minute. Some ill, some hungover, some clearly cannot be bothered and the reality is, it had a huge effect on the team before we had even left.
The game started and from the opening period it was clear that Grange Park didnt possess a lot of footballing quality, but had a team full of meat heads that wanted to bully their way through the match. Little elbows when jumping for headers, shoving players on and off the ball and constantly verbally abusing the lads with the pathetic Scottish references. The ref struggled to get control of the game and was clearly intimidated by the protein fuelled ogre's that were flapping about the park. After 10 minute the first chance of the game fell to Pegasus when Vadim was through on goal, but instead of shooting, he decided to play the ball across to Skinner who had his effort blocked. The first goal then shortly followed, after a complete shocking piece of Pegasus defending, 3 men ran for the same ball on the left flank which allowed the Grange Park player to find space and play a decent ball across the 18 yard box. This was met by the striker who had time to compose himself and launch a great strike bottom corner. Not much more to add from the first half, not much football played from either side and a really scrappy game up until this point. HT 1-0 to Grange Park.
Second Half was a complete contrast of the first half for Pegasus, for all of 10 minutes anyway. The bite and hunger started to show and Pegasus pressed the water filled monsters high up the pitch as they were starting to tire. A corner was won in the 50th minute and Vadim sent a perfect cross in the box which met Sinky who rose high to head the ball in the net. 1-1. Less than a minute later, Vadim picked the ball up in his own half, he darted past 2 players and sent a long range strike towards goal, the keeper had a howler and the ball rolled in under him to make it 1-2. Vadim then went from hero to zero as he ran 30 yards and crunched the Grange Park striker inside the box giving away a penalty. This was put in the net to make it 2-2. Not long after a silly foul was given away on the edge of the 18 yard box. The Grange Park player stepped up and comfortably placed the ball in the corner to make it 3-2. This completely killed the game and seemed to destroy Pegasus' hopes of winning, especially as 5 minutes later a 4th goal was added from Grange. Changes were then made - Scott Brady coming on for Skinner and Snodz coming on for Danny McBlain. Both subs put them selves about and got stuck in but this was all too little too late and the game ended 4-2.
A way below par performance from Pegasus to say the least. It was an intimidating game and with not many options to change things, it was a tough task. Credit to most of the lads for getting stuck in and trying to put a graft in, the quality just wasnt there as we allowed a very average team to make us look poor. I thoroughly look forward to the Home visit of these clowns as there is no chance in hell they will turn up with the same front and mentality that they had during this game.
We knew it was going to be a tough league from the start, even with our full strength team, but when players drop out and let the lads down, we need to accept that points will be hard to come by. Hopefully everyone learns a little something from this game and they all use the disappoint to spur them on in our next fixture which is 22/10 away to Wellingborough Aztecs.
MOM today was Arron McGinty. Used as a midfielder instead of a forward and despite a ropey first half, he raised his game second half and show cased his brilliant talents. We also seen a different side to him as he got stuck in and battled against some tough players.
