An under-performing Medway Magic suffered a comprehensive beating at the hands of Strood Crusaders yesterday losing 6-2 despite a second half fightback.
A dismal first half showing meant the game was effectively over at half time Magic coming in trailing 4 nil and with a mountain to climb. The first twenty minutes were fairly even before it all unravelled for us and the number of mistakes grew. Requiring a tip-top performance from everyone Magic seemed overawed by the occassion and with the exception of Carl we were flat and quiet, did not compete like we can and gifted the ball to the opposition too often. The only shots we had in the first half did not require the keeper to make a save such was out lack of creativity.
The Strood first was a replica of the one we conceded in the first of the League double header, Anthony's header falling in the box to the unmarked Strood midfielder - who was Man of the Match - who shot home. It was soon two nil as the Strood forward was allowed too much time and skipped his way past a couple of challenges and finished easily. Bad luck then enter the equation with a handball missed in the build up to the third goal, another simple finish for the Strood forwards before the final nail in the first half coffin courtesy of a horrible mistake by Jack slicing his clearance to the striker for an open goal.
At half time it was easier to list the things we had done right rather than what was going wrong such was the level of performance on the day. Forced into changes to halt the momentum Magic moved to a 5-4-1 formation with Andy Bagnall replacing his son Alex, clearly injured and Mark Peters replacing Mike Walker with Dan moving up front.
This supposed "defensive" formation actually stabilised us and Magic dominated most of the second half and created many more chances. Mark Peters cross cum shot was tipped over the bar whilst a goalmouth scramble ended with Dan unable to convert from close range. We pulled a goal back when from another corner the ball fell to Issa whose shot crept inside the post.
Magic began to press more and Mark almost scored, the crowd believing his shot to have gone in rather than hit the side netting before Issa pulled another one back with 10 minutes to go dribbling past two players and the keeper fumbling into the net.
Magic suddenly began to dream and pushed on in search of a quick third, Anthony moving up into midfield and the fullbacks, especially Shenton pushing on. However it was not to be and with men sent upfield we were left exposed at the back. A 2 on 1 situation was thwarted but from the resulting corner the Strood forward was left unmarked to tap home their fifth and effectively kill the game. A sixth finally put the game beyond us in the closing minutes and summed up our day - the Strood midfielder hopelessly mis-kicking when shooting only for the ball to go straight to their striker who scooped it into the corner of the net.
A disappointing end to a disappointing game but at least our second half performance, the last 10 minutes discounted meant we leave with some pride intact and at the end of the day it was a Final in our first season together. Results elsewhere in the League mean we will definitely finish 7th and so our last League game is irrelevant. This will be a chance to show thanks to those who have turned up each week and supported or substitutes.
