1st Half.
Engine start with the usual half asleep approach, struggling to get onto the ball and struggling even more to track players and stop AFC cutting through us with some neat passing. Again problems with the starting shape causing chaos in the ranks and early signs were not good. Engine FC seemed unable to challenge for any high balls with AFC winning 90% of aireal battles ;-/ and then within 10 mins the Engine were one down. Several corners from AFC finally cracked the Engine defence and a goal conceded.
Ten minutes later and it was 2 nil as the Engine got caught on a break away and sparrow was helpless to stop a simple tap in. . . . Things were not looking good.
Some reshuffling reverting to Yan and Jimmy up front with andy getting into the midfield seemed to help the Engine compose themselves and start to play to their strength of neat passing football. A couple of chances went wide and AFC had their chances to increase the lead. Engine were having problems winning any long balls from the taller AFC spine of the team. Idi was working tirelessly but the trackig of their players was still poor and the sidelines feared it was only a matter of time before we were 3 down, this didnt happen and the last 10 mins of the half went to Engine for their neat passing and resolute defending especially from Nick Collen tracking back on their pacey winger.
At half time the deck was shuffled and subs introduced. Mini Moff moved into the middle with Si C coming on to add a bit of Umph to the centre. Ren pushed out wide for his delivery and Idi kept on the left. Burbs and myself joined the defence.
2nd Half.
From the off the Engine were better balanced and started to pass the ball around taking control of the midfield, The ref was giving some "dubious" decisions which were going both ways. The game was starting to get heated with good solid challenges flying in from the Engine. Heads were up and everyone was pushing to get something from the game. Several long balls from Ren were causing problems as Jimmy was now starting to wake up and get amongst the big central defender, Jimmy started to win balls and the AFC midfield seemed to be tiring......... A long ball from Ren to Yan resulted in a somewhat favourable penalty being awarded to the Engine. Ren stepped up to confidently scuff it past the keeper and the Engine were back in the game.
For the next twenty minutes it was all Engine with several chances going wide and their keeper making some good saves. Further pressure resulted in Jimmy winning a ball in the air to flick on for the running ren who calmly scuffed the ball past the keeper and into the net ! ! ! 2 all , game on.
Tackles were flying in and the engine were starting to tire. All our subs were used and when AFC changed things around the game started to swing their way. Resolute defending (inc a goal line clearance!!!!! to make up for last week, sorry had to mention it) and some truley world class reaction saves from Sparrow kept the scores level and the game finished 2-2 .
If last week felt like a loss this week felt like a win. Our unbeaten run continues.
Things to improve
- Follow the man , not the ball ! at times it was embarassing in the first half how we all got drawn to the ball allowing AFC to pass the ball through us, stick with the runners lads ! !
- Challenging in the air. Idi (and Jimmy in the second half when he woke up) were the only lads actually jumping to win the ball, this was eveident by all on the sidelines, we have to improve in this area. Especially from goal kicks as we hardly won any.
Clown of the day - Even though Nick Collen had a barn stormer as left back his foul throw was classic collen..............
Man of the match - Jon Sparrow. Solid solid keeper and also simply for the fact that i still dont know how we saved those two point blank efforts from the AFC striker, unbelievable.
