JONES ROAD WMC FC 3 V 3 STAR DIAMONDS
Going into the match both teams were carrying some decent form so, this was to be a hard competative game. Surface water on the pitch and a low sun was going to make for mistakes in the game and having to be on your toes at all times.
The game got underway and Jones Road were starting the better of the two, passing the ball about nicely, trying to create but, too direct. It wasn't too long before Star Diamonds got thereselves used to the size of the pitch and the game was being dragged end to end. With both teams having a few early chances, with mistakes being made around the pitch and some good key battles taking place.
Then a center midfield tussle saw the ball free up to Sam Perry who drove at the defence, a yard of space freed up for him and a clean strike into the bottom corner put Jones Road 1v0 up.
Star Diamonds never gave up and were themselves finding gaps in behind our defence and an equaliser was found after a lapse in concentration. 1v1.
Shortly after this the ball dropped through to Macca from only a few yards out, brought the ball down lovely but, snatched his shot over the bar. From the resulting goal kick saw Star Diamonds exploite the defence once more, turning us quickly and before you know it, it was a 1v2 half time lead to Star Diamonds. Another harsh lesson to learn about finishing chances that will count.
Unlike in the last match where we used the width, our play was too tight and direct. The full use of the pitch was never really being taken advantage of, a few things that would be going over in future traing sessions/matches. Some constructive critasisam at our half time talk by temparary player manager Tom Priest saw us get the second half away to alot better start to what the first half finished.
An early free-kick was awarded, the ball was floated in and broke to Alex who hit the chest of on-rushing keeper and ball dropped back kindly to Donno who smashed the ball home to the delight of his Supporters. 2v2 and back in the game.
Again Star Diamonds had great attitude and came at us again and again, challaging for every ball, a few nice saves by our keeper and some nice last ditch tackles from our back four, kept this at 2v2. A corner for the opposistion was floated in and cleared by Jones Road but, dropped to one of there players and unfortunately, as our attitude of the day no-one really took priority to run out to put any pressure on him and it resulted into a lovely finish over the keeper and into the corner of the goal. 2v3.
Some good character to the game thou showed ourselves not giving in and not from the want of trying to create, the quality just wasnt there today as we saw it hard to break through. Another free-kick from deep to Jones Road saw a great delivery right onto the head of Donno rose above everyone and equalised the game up again!! And his enjoyment of scoring his second against his cousin was there to see.
The game hung on and a point to both teams was deserved.
A few more lessons to take from this game, that the quality has to be better against this type of opposistion and that we need to challange the second ball just as much as the first. But, some great character to see us come back from being down and not to give in. If the quality isn't there we have to make up for in hard work and commitment till the final whistle.
