The second of the double header games did not end as we had hoped, and thought most probably after the first game, as we went down 2-0 to a tricky but limited Old Vaughanians side. They deserved the 3 points from the second game but at the same time we did not do ourselves justice on the pitch and in the end perhaps we had exerted too much during the first game.
Chances were created but on the balance of it, the opposition also squandered some easy chances including a penalty. We started perfectly well, Neil was unlucky not to get his first goal for the 4's after the ball never quite sat down for him after a ball over the top. He managed to round the keeper but his shot did not quite have the pace on it and the keeper got back to parry out for a corner. George hit the post after the keeper allowed his effort to slide under his body and was unfortunate again when the keeper saved well after a cross from Jordan. All these chances were in the 1st half and perhaps if one had gone in it would have settled us down and we would have played more conservatively.
With Sam in inspired form at the back and Jon, Andy and Foz providing equally adept cover there was little trouble at the back either. A nice curled effort from their talented right winger hit the underside of the bar and they had a penalty when Sam tripped their striker but he stepped up and hit the outside of the post leaving the game in a stalemate going into half time.
A problem that has haunted us all season is that we can get stretched very easily and allow the opposition to get in between us. This desire to score is a great trait but at the same time this needs to be tempered sometimes if we are to hold onto leads or control and dictate the tempo of games. In the second game the pass always seemed to go forward, never allowing the defence or midlfield the chance to get up to speed with the play to make us more compact.
With legs tiring and Old Vaughanians getting stronger a set piece proved to be our undoing. A corner saw the ball headed against Sam's shoulder (or perhaps arm??) but the rebound saw the opposition prodding the ball home, relieving the referee of a very hard decision.
Their 2nd came from the spot as Sam made (from my point of view, and I was right next to him) a superb sliding tackle but the referee deemed that he had taken the man before the ball and the resulting penalty was thumped home. It is testament to Sam's performance that he conceded 2 penalties but was still a resounding winner of the mom vote.
We actually created enough chances to get a draw from the game. Alex somehow saw his instinctive volley from the edge of the box go wide when the goal was open. George was also unlucky to see his glanced header go wide after a quick free kick allowed Jordan to put the ball in to the box.
All in all over the course of the game we could have few complaints, the second game saw us lose our composure (I would like to apologise to those who felt that I was shouting at them personally, I was only frustrated in myself and also exasperated by the problems we give ourselves by being so stretched) and we never really got into it.
However, for most of us this was a new experience and hopefully we can take some lessons into next week and give a good showing in both games against a good Old Manorians side.
MOM went to Sam for his all action display at the back, I think he broke Dave Ryan's record of slide tackles (vs Old Salvatorians) quite comfortably on Saturday and was always willing to put himself on the line for the time. Jonathan also played well over two games and deserves credit for his consistent level.
