Ok, the Last of my Away Days, Ben's report, with Dales TO FOLLOW.
I will again ajust the marks dependant on Dales Scoring.
Ben:
Apologies for another late report – it seems an easy job but trying to find enough time to do a good job and not rush it is hard. Top credit to Gav for the sterling effort he puts in EVERY WEEK.
I asked a question of you lot before the game… could you go out and play as we left off from the game before - with the right attitude, and the belief we could play our passing football and win the game. And you all know what the answer was… YES!!!!! And we put in a great display of quality football against an experienced and well organised team from the division above.
From the off every man wanted the ball and the communication was excellent so anyone on the ball knew where the easy pass was. And we used those easy passes to retain some great possession and create some really good chances. Very little had come into our half to trouble the boys at the back but after 35 mins their top striker did find himself space in our box from a counter attack and it was the safe hands of PC with a remarkable reaction save that kept the score line at 0-0 as we headed towards half time.
But we knew we were the better team and the half time team talk consisted of how proud I was of everyone and more of the same please! The second half started, we kept up the tempo and quick pass and move football and it wasn’t long before we found our chance as our flying right winger Alkie linked up with the Machine and to use (another) cliché “he doesn’t miss those!”
It took little more than 5 minutes before the score line was 0-2 to the rotten as Alkie beat his man and delivered a spot on pass for the Machine to slot home 2nd of the game. It was then the provider’s turn to be scorer but it happened almost by accident. With Alkie bursting forward to attack again he slipped a ball through the defense for Diego to get on the end of but he knocked it a little too far (or did he?) and Diego just about kept it on from going out for a goal kick. Cool as you like Diego didn’t make the same mistake and with defenders charging towards him gave Alkie an inch perfect return pass into his run so that all Alkie had to do was a simple side foot to pick up his 4th goal in 4 games!
He may not have scored but a big mention for Diego as the unsung hero who left absolutely everything out on that pitch. It was a hot humid day yet his work rate was tremendous and in the 75th min chased a player for 30 yards back into our half to get a challenge in and win possession back with a out throw in. It does get noticed. Another mention goes to Kieran who showed great maturity to bounce back after being subbed last week, and for not hitting the twat back when he received an unnecessary slap round the face! A top performance Kieran, you were outstanding in the middle of the park.
But then everyone put in 100% and played for each other, it was such a great game to be involved in. Maybe it was the lack of expectation as we were playing in the county cup and the result was not as important, but we need to take that composure, belief and attitude into ALL our games, then instead of trying to be successful we WILL be successful this season.
The future’s bright,
It’s black and white,
