The Mighty Men Of Facelad lined up against fellow promotion candidates and last year’s Division Two champions White Hart Lane. Somewhat of a rivalry has developed between the two sides over recent seasons with both outfits earning victories in what has been an even feud.
The fixture began with The Sheep Herders enjoying the majority of possession but WHL looking strong on the counter with a tricky left winger that kept makeshift right-back Jordan Scott occupied all game. After spurring two big openings, WHL took the lead when their two powerful strikers combined for an easy tap in. Facelad capitulated at this point unable to tolerate Lane’s physicality and direct style of play. Too many individuals were losing their battles and not enough character was on show from the lads and despite their dominance of the ball somehow The Lads found themselves 4-0 down at the interval.
This is unacceptable. A stern team talk and a tactical shift. Two individuals escaped the manager’s harsh tongue, Jerry Clynes and Michael Barton, whose commitment to the cause never wavered.
Facelad began the second half with their hearts on their sleeves, with a point to prove and their promotion aspirations hanging by a thread. They abandoned their defensive 5-3-2 formation for the approach for a 4-4-2 diamond system that saw playmaker Michael Alderman shuffled from backline to his more comfortable number 10 role. This shift in tactic allowed the front three to press high and trouble the WHL backline. With around 20 minutes to go after another prolonged spell of possession, Facelad finally got the breakthrough they deserved when some good build up play and a cross come shot from Barton saw the marauding Michael Alderman poach home from but a few yards. A consolation perhaps. Facelad seemed to have a glimmer of hope in their eyes and White Hart Lane incredibly shaken despite the commanding scoreline. Another cross come shot from Barton found its way to O’Brien which saw him take a good touch and then have near enough every part of his body tugged at by the WHL right back, penalty given. Alderman steps up… Bottom right and the keeper nowhere near it. 4-2 and Facelad were starting to believe. They didn’t give WHL a second to settle with rampant pressing they continued to win the ball high up the pitch. Michael Coffer showed real composure when the ball was played across to him just inside the opposing half and he hit the ball in a mortar fashion into the box. Alderman took a good first touch and as his marker attempted to clear he hoofed alderman into the air. Another penalty! Of course Alderman stepped up and of course Alderman scored! This time to the left completing the hat trick and leaving Facelad only needing one more to equalize. 4-3. At this point Facelad were all over WHL and they wouldn’t let the home side get out of their own half. With about 5 minutes left to play they won themselves a corner on the left. J.Clynes stepped up to take it and whipped a lofted ball to the back post where Coffer rose like a salmon, headed down from a tight angle… GOOOAAALLLL!!! 4-4! What a game for the neutrals! Facelad were not finished though, O’Brien managed to break the defensive line with a great run and with what looked the most blatant penalty of the lot was crashed into by WHL defender… Everyone looked to the referee just waiting for it to be given. Nothing given! The team, manager and fans erupt! An unbelievable decision that cost Facelad the game in what went from ‘play for pride’ to ‘how did we not win’ in about 20 minutes. Unlucky Faceladders COYF.
