I don’t know what it is about that venue, but I’ve never liked it, even as a player myself.
Driving to the game on the motorway, I thought our biggest obstacle today was going to be the blustery rain, how wrong I was.
With the ref a no-show, the opposition coach offered to ref, something I’m never keen on, because it’s simply not impartial enough and frankly, I don’t trust anyone! The rain stopped for kick off and, although the pitch was tight, Hampton started the brighter of the two sides, until 4 minutes in when Boldmere forced a corner, which was comfortably cleared, only for the opposition coach to award a penalty for handball. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone can have a clear conscience when it comes to decisions like that, I would be absolutely ashamed of myself.
Anyway, 1-0 to Boldmere and the scene was set.
After 8 minutes, the ref turned up… too bloody late now after they gave themselves a 1-0 head start !
The shouting from their coaches and parents, in my opinion, forced a lot of decisions from the referee. It also had an affect on some of our players. It’s not nice when an opposition coach is shouting to “look out for his touch” as we’re trying to control the ball. Very unsporting in my opinion, and I had a difficult hour biting my tongue (I can only begin to imagine how Marc would have been today).
Anyway, Boldmere broke through and toe-poked themselves into a 2-0 lead. That first 20 minutes was very frustrating.
Hampton almost grabbed a goal when Ollie got a diving header on the end of a cross, only for their keeper to be in the right place to save, then smother.
Half Time, 2-0.
We had a word at Half Time, because, aside from everything else being against us, we weren’t in the fight. Boldmere to their credit were very brave in the challenge, I didn’t see anyone duck out of a tackle, and we needed to match that.
We started OK, but we still weren’t quite at it with the ball, either holding on too long, or the opposite, swinging at it in a panic. 2-0 became 3-0 when a cross went into the box and spun off the 3G like a bowl from prime Shane Warne, which bamboozled Harrison a bit and they were on hand to tap in.
The attitude of the boys to never give up is admirable and we got one back with the goal of the day, when Rushy popped a corner into the box and Ollie unleashed a bullet off his head right into the top corner, so powerful it bounced back out of their goal and the keeper had no idea we had scored. Kielan then released Rushy up the line who whizzed towards goal and was unfortunate to see his shot go wide. I really think that could’ve been the moment we clawed this game back, but it wasn’t to be.
3-1 it finished and I tell you now, I cannot wait to get them on our Hampton pitch!!
Special mentions today for Kielan who I thought was outstanding, he’s really stepping up this season, and Fin, who dropped in at right back and performed brilliantly. MOTM though, goes to Zach Sanders, who never complains, (well hardly ever) and he’s as brave as they come in the tackle, which is the first thing he did today, came out on top in a 50/50 challenge. Well done Zach!
Final game of the year next Sunday over in Redditch, whatever happens, the story so far is one I’m proud to be a part of.
Also special mention to Dave, who did lino duties today (something he shouldn’t be doing but that’s another story) thanks Dave.
