Well this was our second game of four leading up to Christmas that we knew would be a big test and so it proved.
Huge credit to the seven Crofton players who played from start to finish in the rain (well pouring rain) and in parts on a bog of a pitch.
Matthew started as usual in nets, Tom & Adam at the back, Oliver, Toby and Jack Whitaker in midfield and Jack Hewitt up front.
We played down hill in the first half and started well forcing a couple of early corners. Royston looked to catch us on the break but we coped well defensively. Jack Hewitt had our best effort of the first half when he beat the last defender but saw his shot pushed round the post for a corner.
We spent most of the first twenty minutes though camped in our own half and had to soak up a lot of pressure and possession from Royston. We seemed to fade in and out of the game in the last ten minutes, thinking a team mate may do "our" job or being slow to close down. The pressure finally told on sixteen minutes when defensive sloppyness and a failure to clear the ball saw a Royston shot creep in! One down.
A half time talk more about self confidence, belief and desire had the right effect. We started brightly and Jack Whitaker began to run more directly, putting in a couple of excellence crosses and useful shots. Jack Hewitt broke free of the home defence on two occasions only to see his shots saved by the keeper. BUT we were believing and starting to exert pressure. Our equaliser came from a fabulous team move on twenty five minutes - Tom fed Toby out of defence, Toby advanced and played the ball wide to Jack Whitaker. Jack took the ball to the by line and his superb cross was converted by Jack Hewitt. 1-1! We haven't scored a better team goal all year.
Great to see the delight on the lads faces and we pressed on again. We were causing Royston problems down the right flank through Toby and Jack Whitaker and a slice of fortune came our way when the referee gave a harsh penalty on thirty one minutes. Toby stepped up, saw the keeper save his shot but he reacted and smashed in the rebound. 2-1 up!!
As expected Royston didn't lie down and pushed forward in search of the equaliser. Not sure if the ref thought he needed to make up for his penalty decision but on thirty four minutes, he gave a very dodgy free kick just outside our area. Great free kick ended up in the top corner; 2-2.
The last six minutes was end to end stuff with neither side creating a clear cut chance. The game finished 2-2, a fair result as both teams had battled hard in worsening conditions.
Very proud of Matthew, Tom, Adam, Toby, Jack W, Oliver and Jack H today. A year ago we'd have lost a game like that. BUT we've learnt to fight, we don't give in and we can play football. SUPERB.
Man of the Match was a tough one as all played well. Jack Whitaker just shaded it for his runs in the second half and his cross that set up our equaliser. Well played Jack W.
Hope all have dried out and managed to wam up!!!!
See you Saturday and then Sunday for our Cup QF against Ossett Panthers. Well done again lads.
