After having a week off it was expected that the Pegasus Reserve lads would be fired up, refreshed and ready to put in an energetic performance. The game plan was to start lively and take the game to Aztecs for the first 20 minutes to shatter their confidence completely, after a run of poor results for them. The reality however was quite the opposite. The Pegasus lads struggled to get going and the opening period seen Aztecs as the dominant team, creating chances and pressing high. This was forcing defensive errors from Pegasus and had it not been for debutant keeper Krystian, the scoreline could have been 2/3-0 inside 15 minutes. The luck finally ran out in the 20th minute when Aztecs got the opening goal. 99% of referees would have awarded a foul in the build up after the Aztecs striker collided late with Krystian and rolled the ball into an empty net whilst Krystian was visibly hurt. Unfortunatley this was a ref that fell into the 1% category and the goal stood. 1-0 to Aztecs. The response from Pegasus wasnt great and frustration then set in, players arguing over minor mistakes and some began to get on the referees back which is never a good thing. Not many chances created and the football on display was dull and left a lot to be desired. Half Time 1-0.
Second Half began and before any improvement was made, the Aztecs midfielder ran 40 yards with the ball, drifting past players with ease and slotted the ball home to make it 2-0. A gift for Aztecs from 5 Pegasus players. 5 minutes later Pegasus pressed into the final third, Colin played a pass to Arron who held onto it looking to play that cutting edge pass to the wingers, but no movement was there. He then unleashed a worldie of a strike from 30 yards that flew straight into the top corner to make it 2-1. Momentum then began to grow and Pegasus had a spring in their steps and began to play some decent football. This was short-lived. Aztecs won a corner and fired a routine cross into the box that should have been mopped up with ease. Unfortunately on this occasion the defending was poor and the Aztecs man was left with a golden opportunity to tap the ball in from 3 yards - which he did. 3-1. A change was then made, Snodz who was on a yellow card, decided that his day was over and asked to come off. Gareth McBlain came on at right back and Hammell who had thus far had a decent game, moved over to Left Back. Then 5 minutes later Skinner was introduced into the game for Sinky, who like most of the others, hadnt had his best day. This offered a bit more energy on the flank and once again Pegasus pressed, with nothing more to lose this time. A free kick was then won. Ants sent a teasing cross to the back post to Hoggy who headered the ball in to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes still to play. The final chance was made - Scott Brady coming on for Vadim who had performed way below par. The equalizer came in the 85th minute when again, Ants sent a cross into the box, this time it was met by Skinner who tapped the ball in. Finally, there was a real belief from Pegasus but it was all too little too late as the final score ended 3-3.
Definitely 2 points dropped for Pegasus when you look at it as a whole. There was only one intention before the game started and that was to win. Unfortunately it was a day where the players spoke a good game but failed to display the type of performance that merited a win. Credit to the lads for the late surge to earn a point, but we shouldnt have been in that position in the first place. Tougher tests no doubt lie ahead and its been proved yet again that if we dont have our attitudes in tact every week, we will continute to have frustrating afternoon's.
Its easy to blame the ongoing situation we find ourselves in every week, with players having to step up to a somewhat depleted first team and players missing with injuries and other reasons, this obviously forces changes to the starting 11 each match making it difficult to maintain any consistency or rhythm, but we still had a squad today that was capable of winning comfortably.
A huge response needed next week when we play direct rivals, Stripmiils.
I will end on a positive note which is to single out MOM Scott Porch. Called into what has become his second role in the team - holding midfield and played it relatively well again. Offered a lot of much needed pace and ran at the Aztec players all afternoon causing them problems.
