Short and sweet this week:
After the abject performance at home last week, it was good to see everyone positive and energised for the game. In the main we were all there nice and prompt, and that is massively important. It gives us the right platform to start the game. Please make the effort to be no later than 1.30, ideally 1.15 please?
Playing a very young team, Harpenden were always going to come out of the blocks early, which of course they did! I was please with how out formation stood up, and having weathered the first 15 I thought we were getting a foothold in the game. The opener for Harpenden coming just as we looked our most settled. At this point he gosht of last week threatened to re-appear. I am pleased to say that the character shown stopped this from happening. Indeed, some great work and good football fashioned a couple of chances, with Alkie producing a fine combo link up with Christian before setting Gareth for the equaliser cutting back to the edge of the box. A nice Finnish Gareth. With 10 minutes to go to the half it was all Potten. Myself and Dan T combing to set the Machine up across the face for the pick of the spurned chances. I genuinely believe that had that gone in, it could have been our day. Half time in the end came too soon, and gave Harpenden time to regroup.
A more even second period saw us make a couple of mistakes. The first I feel was Nolan coming off. Nolan is painfully aware that this is his lat season, you can see the passion etched on his face. He wants it so much. His desire to "do the right thing" for the team, led him to sub himself off. I'd not have done it, no disrespect to the subs who weren't at fault, but I feel it upset our shape. Its tough to come on at any stage, but when a game is that finely poised, I think you leave the defence alone (injuries aside). Kudos to Paul for trying something all the same.
It is long said that Potten aren;t a lucky team. The goals conceded in the second half owe much to the bounce of the ball. On both occasions, good positive tackles came in only to deflect to the opposition. OK track your runners yada, yada, but the bounce is crucial. All I will say is don't stop tackling and being positive, we will get our luck too.
At the end of things, Harpenden were young, keen and fit. They played the game in a good way, and with their oldest player being 23 years old, you all acquitted yourself with true Potten grit. I loved the atmosphere, talking, football and tempo, carry that through, and win loose or draw I for one will have a very happy season.
MOM: A mention for a few players: Ben who ran every blade of grass (twice), Nolan and Greg Solid and commanding, Both full backs who tried to get up and back as much as possible, Alkie who ran his tits off and the positivity of the front line. In the middle of the Park today, we had some real craft from Gareth. Capping his game with a deserved goal, he did the gritty and the pretty in equal measure. More of that please Gareth.
Keep it Rotten.
