A different Hamsey from the one we drew with last year twice showed up to the Heath but the result remained the same ending 2-2. They started by far the better being the much more youthful and pacey side and they consistently closed us down which prevented us from settling in the game and playing the football we like to play. They found a breakthrough about 10 minutes in when their pacey winger was able to get in behind the defence and lash one in high at the near post. They kept coming but were unable to create any real chances and we weren't helping ourselves by once again giving them free kicks in silly positions. Their best chance came when the striker rounded Driver but had pushed the ball too far and Woodman managed to fling himself infront of the shot to save a certain goal. With about 20 minutes to go we started to settle into the game and Smith and Bradley chased everything as usual but we just struggled to convert any chances and with Smithy being sent back into midfield it left us with no one there to capitalise on the keeper spilling Bradley's chances. With it only being 1-0 at the break we were quite confident of getting back into the game but when the half started it was Hamsey who capitalised with the pacey winger once again getting in behind and putting a great ball in to the back post for their player who struck it back across goal and into the net. We certainly didn't need that but it was the kick up the arse we needed to get back into the game. Once they had gone 2-0 up they started to step off the gas and allow us more space which allowed us to get right back into the game and our pressure was relentless. The dam finally broke when an Alex Smith shot that was certainly going in was stopped by the hand of a defender we were given and penalty and Rob made up for his previous penalty attempt and put it firmly into the corner. Once we had got this goal we were certain to get another and 10 minutes later a shot was cleared but only as far as Rob Smith who played it back into the middle to Alex Smith who curled it into the left hand corner from just outside the box. We continued to have chances but the game went a bit stale for the last 20 minutes and neither team could provide a breakthrough and it stayed at 2-2. A good performance from us in the end but another game where it was a case of 2 points dropped rather than 3 gained and we need to start finishing teams off to have a chance in the league. Next week we travel to Oxted where we won 4-0 last year and we'll be hoping for a repeat this year.
Managers Comments -
Afternoon guys! Tough morning today 2-2 which on the reflection of the game seems a fair point
It took us some time to get started, but the attitude we showed to get a point out of the game after being 2-0 once again showed great character
When hamsey went 1-0 up it made us finally wake up and the help of moving to a 4-5-1 showed that when we where able to do simply things better, and the way we where able to get the midfield working together got us some created chances which we where unlucky to not to take and we went in 1-0 down at half time
After the chat at half time about taking the momentum into the second half, that was ruined after hamsey went 2-0 up early in the second half
But the character we showed to get the point was very commendable, and after we got back in the game with a Rob Wigley penalty, we always looked in the getting the next goal and after Rob Smith found his brother Alex Smith and calm finish from just outside the box we where back at 2-2 which is where the game finished
I would like to see all at training Tuesday as today has proved that there are loads of things we need to work on, and we will try and practice some of these with the space we get
Goals: Rob Wigley and Alex Smith
Assists: Rob Smith
Commended mentions go to Alex Smith who ran his socks off today both going forward and coming back
But my man of the match today was Tom Woodman solid at the back and seemed liked he all the time in the world today with the ball at his feet making some crucial interceptions including a near goal line block
Big cup game next week! enjoy the rest of your weekends and I hope to see you all Tuesday
