Pyrford came fof second best in a bruising game against old rivals Black Prince. They failed to get any passing moves going, and despite creating enough chances to get at least a point, they never got to grips with Black Prince's determination to win the game at whatever cost. The home side have always been physical, but constant fouling and time wasting tactics did little to improve what was in truth a dreadful game of football.
Black Prince went in front with their first attack. A free kick that carried little danger was misjudged by Rich, and with no call from Nathan his flicked header flew into the unguarded net. It was soon two nil, when Black Prince's 'ball over the top' tactics worked, as they did for most of the game, and the striker nipped in between the two centre backs and finished well.
Pyrford really hadn't started yet, but were starting to get into the game a bit more through free kicks. Having spoken to almost every single member of the home side for abuse, back chat and constant fouling, the ref seemed to be getting a grip on the game. Matt's delivery from free kicks was causing them problems, and Rich came closest with a strong header off the underside of the bar, followed soon after by an effort from close range by Greg which went agonisingly just wide.
Black Prince were dangerous on the break and forced Nathan into a couple of regulation saves, but Pyrford ended the half brighter as they finally started to get some attacking moves going. However, poor touches and basic errors cost them at vital moments and they couldn't get the breakthrough.
After a heated 'discussion' at half time, Pyrford were again slow off the mark in the second half, and Black Prince almost went 3 up with a long range effort.
Pyrford began to threaten though and finally got a goal back with a good corner from Matt which found Rich with a strong header which deflected off Rob into the corner of the net. Pyrford pushed on in search of the equaliser, with Snipes, Rob and Greg all going close.
The home side wrapped up the game with another long ball over Summers, which was raced onto and squared for the onrushing forward to finish from a yard. Although Black Prince hardly did enough to win the game, Pyrford certainly will feel they did enough to lose it, with missed chances, basic mistakes and a lack of communication not befitting a side looking towards the top end of the table.
The game was over as a contest, but it didn't stop some dreadful challenges from the home side, including a karate kick from the keeper which threatened to cut Matt in half, and more back chat from virtually every home side member which finally the ref was issuing cards for.
In the end the final whistle was the saving grace, as this really was sunday football at its absolute worst. Two sides near the top of the league would have been expected to produce a far better game, and Pyrford need to regroup for the coming matches to avoid being dragged down into mid table.
