Engine Win hard Fought Battle !
Relegation threatened Engine FC (Aka Kenilwiorth QPR) lined up against bishops tachbrook with a strong looking team seeing newbe tabby joining the lineup, jimmy prof reinstated to attack and ash in the middle.
Manager decided to try “something completely different” by opting for a 4-5-1 formation with Stuey playing an anchoring roll and steve s joining captain Al in defence.
Having already lost to BT twice this season and under threat of being cut adrif at the bottom of the league engine started in a determined manner controlling the play in the middle of the park (after our usual slow start of course). Tackles were flying in on a slippy and heavily rutted pitch and the sleet was coming down. Early exchanges were 50/50 with us surviving a couple of near misses , we then seemed to be having a lot of success down the right with tommo easily having the beating of their left back. Engine FC forced a couple of corners and on on both occasions had the ball dropped better for us we could have led but score stayed at 0-0. Engine FC were winning the midfiled battle, Tabby, Ash and Stu not backing out of a single tackle and burbs sything down ricky at any given opportunity effectively meant that he vanished into a world of self pity……. Well done burbs ..;-)
On 35 mins after some good work down the left the ball fell to alex who from 5 yrds out decided to pass the ball backwards off the crossbar to Tommo who dispatched neatly in the bottom corner. Engine 1-0 and deservedly so ! BT ralleyed and almost got through on a couple of occasions but the presence of steve and al at the back stopped most attacks in the tracks. Half time 1-0 engine.
Sticking with the plan to do “something completely different” I decided to change nothing , we spoke about throw ins (which we promptly all forgot!) and spoke about winning the second ball. Now kicking uphill it would be hard work as BT were still a threat and the pitch was looking heavy !
We then entered a ten minute spell of giving the ball away and conceded quite a few corners, to be fair we rode our luck during this phase and seemed to have lost our shape (all season weve been poor from the kick off of second half). Dave was containing the ever moaning ricky and the pace of alex and tom was causing problems.
Some good strength and battling from tommo down the right free’d the ball and a low cross cut through the defence to alex who decided not to pass the ball via the crossbar but to slam it home for two nil engine ! ! ! BT had no resorted to long ball football and were in disarray, Engine kept their shape well and as everyone began to tire we took control even more with some nice passing opening up a couple of chances which their keeper saved.
Stu’y will was still trying his long range shots and was getting closer with his last effort only being about 10 yrds off target ;-) Steve and Sparrow (who was obviously getting bored) then decided to play some head tennis but they recovered to stop BT wiping out sparrows clean sheet. Jimmy P was having one his better days and chasing everything whilst keeping moaning down to a minimum and it was only a dodgy decision by the ref that prevented ash’s goal from standing….
With 20 mins to go engine were now fully in control and the BT defence was falling apart. Andy C was brought on for ash to add some fresh legs and did an excellent job filling the hole in midfield. Several breakaways came and went before some neat work from tabby and andy c put alex in shooting range and a low driven shot put Engine 3 nil up….
Man of match to Stevey for great composure at the back and always making that bit of extra time on the ball. Other mentions to Tom and Alex for their goals and another solid performance from Engines second choice right back
Final whistle blew and Engine deservedly won 3-0…..
Pros – Brilliant performance. We looked so much better than them all over the park.
Defence kept the line brilliantly.
Good kicking from Sparrow and safe hands as usual !
Tackling ! gone has the pussy footed start to the season, burbs, ash and tabby in particular won plenty !!
Wingers looked pacey and Jimmy brought his better attitude
Cons - We still need to get our act together better at corners, attacking and defending
Throw ins, we need a better plan here, watch this space !
Well done lads !
Bring on Liberal !
