Poor end to close game.
The scoreline was harsh on the boys, who for long periods of the game were more than a match for the excellent Lisbon side who will be pushing for the title. A horror last five minutes gave a bit of a false account of the game. When we were on top we didn't make it count and that in the end cost us. As said at the final whistle there were a number of players who just didn't quite have that desire and commitment to succeed today.
That in the end was the difference between the two sides, they broke in numbers and got back in numbers every loose ball they fought for. If we want to step up that little bit further and be challenging at the right end of the table, need all players to show the desire to win and work hard for 50 minutes. Our form appears to be not the best at Bomarsund, more vocal support on the Sideline to offer the boys encouragement may help the team!
First quarter and Lisbon were the much stronger side and they dominated possession, but good defending by the team limited them to mainly long range attempts. At the other just a half chance for Dylan.
Start of second quarter, and we took hold of the game for the first part, as it was now our turn to have the better of the chances, Dylan having a shot well saved, a Elliott free kick just going wide, Joseph having a couple of shots saved including a left foot effort, while Elliott also had a good chance but his shot was saved. Lisbon broke this dominance as we went to sleep at little at the back, but we managed to scramble to safety and then Aaron smashed a goal kick from hands right down the middle, but unfortunately Dylan couldn't beat the keeper. 0-0
Third quarter - More end to end stuff and the game looked in the balance, Dylan looked to have gone past the keeper but somehow he managed to grab the ball off Dylans feet for an excellent save At the other end Aaron had to make couple of strong saves. While Sam continuing on from last week kept making some superb tackles and interceptions. On the right of midfield Harry, had a great quarter making lots of strong runs down the wing, and was unlucky not to set up Dylan on a few occasions. The all important first goal went to the visitors, a loose ball tucked away nicely.
Fourth quarter, again started well, Elliott putting through Josh and Dylan a number of times with lovely passes, but the keeper or good defending kept us out. Then in the last five minutes they got another scrambled goal after we could have defended better, then unfortunately our heads went down, and let Lisbon dominate, and two further goals went in. Final score 4-0.
For man of the match, Lisbon coach gave it to Dylan, and he again led line well, while I thought Elliott was again strong in the centre with some very nice passing, while Harry's good runs stood out on the right hand side, Aaron made some good saves, but for the second week running I thought Sam was our man of the match, 100% hard work and commitment, a never say die attitude that all of the team should try and follow. Well played Sam!
Next week we face Lisbon again, and let's have a positive reaction, we showed at times we are more than capable of getting a result against them! Lets forget this game, train hard on Thursday and go to Lisbon with a good positive attitude.
