I was a bit apprehensive what with us missing numerous regulars, but Mick said pre kick off ‘we’ve got a decent team out' and he was right. Personally I like it when there's almost the bare 11 and it's backs to the wall. This was a good result, agreed Danny it was a point gained rather than 2 lost like last week. And we were ahead twice.
Costessey were mainly as we would remember them from last season although they were more intent on giving the ref grief as previous meetings. Good thing was that they didn't have that large, broad striker playing for them this time, the one similar to the Sprowston striker but more NR5. We started ok in regards creating a few chances but I felt like our opener could have been looked at as against the run of play. Danny's corner straight onto my foot and through the keeper's legs. Interesting tactic here, collecting the ball from behind the goal prior to the corner and coming back into the area unmarked. Nice moment but not my favourite of the game. 0-1.
They continued to put the pressure on but it wasn't all one way traffic. We won at least one more corner in the first half. Roger went close a few times, one effort saved from the angle. Their equaliser from one of a few corners they won found Dave at the near post and an attempted clearance was sliced in giving Richard and anyone in yellow no chance. 1-1. The rain was persistent and both sides were committed, it was a good game.
Second half and Phil came on at CB, then Huw came on in CM. There was a bit of a rolling sub merry go round which I couldn't keep up with, especially not now. Still Shane's goal is a bit clearer. Shane came out on top in a meeting with a Costessey defender and caught it nicely from just inside the box giving the keeper little chance. Low and hard off the soaked surface. 1-2. Richard pulled off some impressive flying stops and the defence was playing well, limiting Costessey to a number of long shots which to be fair were quite well struck. We were creating a few chances at the other end but it seemed as if we were playing as the away side against a decent home side that were looking to go for all three points.
The equaliser, as I remember it, was a long kick from the keeper one bounce their attacker between the CBs one on one with Richard and in. 2-2. Favourite moment came after this probably ten left with Costessey pushing on. Their corner was half cleared but it got back into the box. Think Richard saved and their right midfielder looked set to score what would have been the winner, Kevin dives across and blocks this goal bound effort 6 yards out and wins the goal kick. Great challenge, could have been in there with the keeper and one other defender, couldn't tell, unbelievable block. After that there was no way that we'd end the game pointless and so it was. A good point gained in the rain. Nice one. Well played Cringleford.
