Engine lined up in 4-4-2 with a good vibe in the camp. We spoke at the start about playing footy, relaxing on the ball and having confidence to play the way we can. From the off engine were on it against a well organised and drilled AFC team, the first fifteen minutes were all engine even playing against the wind the two jims were having significant success down the left. Tabby and Steve were showing proper snap in the tackle and they were spreading the ball out down channels causing afc real issues. Defence looked sound with gaz calling the shots and giving us good cover by holding back so we weren't caught on the break. AFC forced a couple of corners which were well dealt with by sparrow and Al in the air but engine were easily the better team looking very dangerous on the attack. 30 mins in and some brilliant passing football saw Andy C and Steve link up well and a killer pass from steve put in the speedy Jim bye to slot engine one nil ahead , deservedly so. Gaffer asked for ten mins of concentration but this didnt stop jim b and ash both deciding to have long distance shots at sparrow just to make sure he was awake ;-)
We looked dangerous up to half time and a couple of other chances came and went and engine came in one nil up well in the ascendancy. A couple of lads were carrying knocks from what was becoming a pretty physical game which to be honest we were winning hands down......
Second half kicked off and with the wind at our back Jim b and ash were having success down the flanks. Andy C;s relentless workrate and holding the ball up was first class. Tom and burbs very solid with good communication to those around them. Engine pushed forward and at times were guilty of being to attack minded, gaffer asked for wingers to remember to track back which they did closing the gaps that were forming. AFC caused a few more problems but sparrow was equal to them being quick to come out and tipping a great shot over. On the break engine looked dangerous, jimmy p had left his attitude at home and was having a good game chasing balls down and throwing himself around more than usual. 15 mins into the second half some good work by jim b and Steve saw andy c set up to rasp engine two nil up. Another couple of chances came and went through tabbys header and a near own goal. Into the last half hr engine started to look a bit tired so decision was made to go 4-5-1 with idi coming on for jim to add some workrate to the middle. Gaffer ignored jims moaning and stuck to the plan, inevitably AFC scored !! A quick break down their right and a ball nearly cleared by al saw their striker dispatch well for 2-1..... Earlier in the season this would have been a sign of an imminent and embarrassing collapse but the engine of April 2013 is far more robust and resiliant, we could have easily scored another couple but for their keeper being alert and into the last ten minutes although we looked tired we still looked dangerous going forward....
Then as if Lady Luck hasn't screwed us enough this season a bobbling ball through the defence saw their striker latching on , sparrow came out rightly so but took him out clean...... Penalty, five mins to go, disaster....
Their striker stepped up , looking confidence but I knew sparrows a quality keeper and sure enough he go a foot to it. Bouncing back off the post onto the line he managed to get up and dive on the ball as the striker slid in two footed..... No goal ! Well done sparrow, all be it with bruised ribs !
Kris b was brought on for an injured Steve and in throwing his weight around gave a few free kicks away which was the plan, engine saw the whistle out. 2-1 win.
They were forth in the league....... At times we made them look very average and for 60 mins we bossed them. Well done lads ! PUE
Positives
No bitching / moaning etc (apart from jim but I think I'm stuck with that)
Brilliant workrate
Neat passing first half
Central defenders won a lot of ball
Sparrow different class
Negatives
We had a very attacking setup today with naturally attacking wingers and midfielders, we still need to track back better and not all go up front at once, at times we had four or five up front leaving us exposed.
Set pieces , we still don't know what we are doing, this is my fault. Next season we will have a dedicated training session to sort this out, this will make us far stronger.
In summary well done everyone, some can still do better but thats a good thing as it means we can improve , overall brilliant win. It's a tough one next week, we will all need to be on it and sober like today to get something from game.
We can win every week, its up to us to all be disiplined and go on the piss fridays and sunday afternoons. Its the drink that maybe end up relgating us and not the team that turned up today ;-)
Andy C MOM today for being involved in both goals and working his nuts off , close call with Sparrow. Special mention to stevey who played on with knackered ankle and still showed the class he has all year, also Tom looked solid at RB. (looks like im now 3rd choice ;-/). Centre backs did well today as well.
It was good to see us finally put a good performance in against good opposition.PUE!!!!!!!!!
