We travelled to Biggleswade to face Biggleswade Social today. With both teams starting the season well and unbeaten, on paper, shaped up for a good game.
Raptors started the game with a bang, scoring in the first couple of minutes. A ball hit over the top by Jamie Frear found Kingsley Lambert who got the better of the defender and tucked home his 5th goal in 2 games. The perfect start. 1-0.
Biggleswade dominated the first half for possesion and chances created. A ball through the Raptor defence saw a one on one with KP who saved the ball with his left hand, and thr ball was cleared away.
Another attack saw another through ball get behind the Raptors defence and KP save another 1 on 1 with his legs.
The pressure was too much for Raptors, and a ball out wide was put in across the Raptors area and the striker tapped home from a couple of yards out. 1-1.
A freekick was then awarded to Biggleswade just outside the Raptors area. The player stepped up and hit the ball straight at the goal. With the ball bouncing just before KP, it saw the ball hit his chest and fall to a Biggleswade player, who slotted home another 2 yarder. A howler from the old man. 2-1.
Raptors had a great chance to equalise with Kinglsey putting a lovely ball in from a freekick, that found Cain Hamilton-Boyles head, only to be saved by the keeper.
Our first card of the season was awarded to the returning Adam Fuller after the ref decided his first challenge warranted a yellow.
Halftime, and Raptors were down, and it didnt taste good. A few changes were made that saw Tom Noah Shopland replaced by Roger Fowler and George Rogers replace Brendan Cunningham.
The second half saw more of the same. Raptors struggling to make an impact and Biggleswade creating chances.
Biggleswade were awarded their 3rd goal with a great strike outside the area, that nestled in the side of the net. 3-1.
Another Biggleswade chance saw a shot from ouside the area, go through an array of players and saved by the legs of KP.
A Raptor red card saw Plaz sent off from Lino duties for shouting abuse to the referee. A decison that some disagree with.
Raptors also saw their first sin bins of the season after Joe Santoriello and Kinglsey were sent there due to 'dissent'.
Raptors offered little in the second half. A half volley by Brendan forcing a save from the keeper, was our best chance.
The game was finshed after a ball across the pitch deflected off Chris Patricksons backside and fell to the Biggleswade winger who opened up and placed the ball into the far corner. 4-1.
A disappointing today for Raptors saw us 2nd best and deservedly lose. We cannot expect to move forward if we go into games lacking urgency and conviction. The referee didnt help our cause, but the lack of communication and body language of players seeming to give up is on us.
Enough negativity. We have to move forward and rectify this resullt when we entertain Little Paxton next week. We all know what we are capable of and working for each other and as a unit is vital.
