Would just like to say HOW PROUD I was of our team today, we battled hard throughout, and we played the game the right way, so a big well done boys, please keep your heads up and putting in the effort, our reward will come.
Again we started promisingly, and Elliott was through on goal at the edge of the penalty box when he was tackled from behind. This would prove not to be the first time our players would be cut down from behind when through on goal. The free kick was struck well by Elliott but Shields managed to keep it out.
It was pretty much an end to end game, with Joseph and Sam again being taken from behind by the same North Shields player. End of first quarter 0-0. Second quarter again was very tight, and again we had our chances on goal, probably then came the key moment of the match, Joseph had a good shot blocked in the box by what looked to be an hand, from this Shields broke quickly and their danger man on the right, ran well down the line and crossed in a fizzing ball which unfortunately James handled into the net. Again this gave the opposition a lift and soon after they doubled the lead again a good cross was forced into the net. This then gave us a 2-0 defecit at half time.
Into the thrid we stuck to our task well, and had a number of chances, but another goalmouth scramble led to the third. But we continued to play well, and Elliott passed nicely to Joseph on the edge of the penalty area, who controlled excellently and shot perfectly into the bottom right corner. With this goal we were right back into the game, but unfortunately again we couldnt deal with a crossed ball, and it fortunately went over the line for the fourth goal.
Our players still went out and tried their best, and were rightly awareded a penalty when not for the first time Elliott was checked from behind. Elliott unluckly put the penalty over the bar, much to the pleasure of the very unsporting North Shields side. Final Score 4-1.
Really feel this is again an unjust scoreline, with Shield defenitely getting the rub of the green luck wise, only criticism would be that we need to get our shape quicker when back on the defence as their man of the match on the right had too much time to put in crosses which we were unable to deal with.
James & Michalel I thoguht again worked very hard, and defended well, while in the middle Joseph & Elliott played excellently. Against what some would say were an over physical side, I was delighted with our attitude. We played the game the right way with the right spirit, and some of our passing was very good today.
It will be another tough match next week against Walker Whites, but as long as we keep our heads up, keep working hard as a unit we will get our rewards in this tough league. We have been unfortunate to draw four very good tough sides first up, subsequently we will have patches in the season where we play some less able sides.
Well done boys, see you at training Wednesday 5.45.
