Sometimes, in this game, things do not go right no matter what you do or how much effort is involved. The game against Dimen was one such example of that.
Were they better than us? Nope. Did they want it more? Nope. Did they just play better on the day? Nope.
What they did do well was get under the skin of certain players. Players that can make a difference. So kicking the striker, whispering in the ears or wingers and winding up the midfield was all part of their plan and their smash and grab victory proved it worked.
Add to that the ref had a mare who did not spot little infringements and it was only a matter of time before someone exploded.
Unfortunately for The Revs it was Steane, someone who can produce that bit of magic, that let his frustrations take over and ultimately it cost the team.
Nothing came off for The Revs. Shots rained in, but far too many off target. Glorious opportunities fell to players who were maybe ring rusty or not as trusted in front of goal. P. Pinkstone had a brilliant run, weaving in and out like a slalom skier, but his final shot was parried away by the keeper. L. Evans had a moment he’ll want to forget when he didn’t make contact with the ball with only the keeper to beat.
The Revs were unlucky but also wasteful. Too many people snatching at shots or making the wrong pass. Too many passes not been made at all. The effort was there for all to see, but the ution was sadly lacking.
Don’t get me wrong, the opposition had moments too. A close range effort was brilliantly saved by Myers, but they seemed to run out of ideas and out of steam and so continued with their plan to just frustrate and wind The Revs up.
So when the moment came for Steane’s starring role, one too many outbursts and finally a lunging slide tackle, the ref had had enough and sent him to the bin for 3 minutes. Just as a side note though, the slide tackle was incredible. On an 11 a side pitch Steane would have been applauded. Unfortunately it’s 6 a side and he knows the rules. However, it was a build-up of indiscretions that led to his cooling down period.
And so the opposition took advantage of The Revs been a man light and broke the deadlock deep into the second half. The man advantage just overwhelming the defence and eventually an unmarked man hit a long range effort and the amount of bodies in the way blocked Myers view.
The Revs still had time and still had opportunities but by then heads had gone, frustrations had boiled over and the opposition knew it. They packed their defence holding onto their lead and The Revs could not find a way through. The opposition slowed play when on the back foot and launched the ball forward when needed, almost nicking another goal on the counter but for P. Pinkstone’s hard work.
Their keeper was sadly not tested enough on this occasion. Sometimes it calls for just putting your laces through the ball.
The last 2 weeks have seen a return of just 1 point. The Revs know, the opposition knows, that it should have been 6 points. The lads trudged off, disjointed and pointing fingers. Anger was in the air.
Hopefully this is the turning point, forget the last few weeks and get back to been that unit The Revs are famed for. Onwards and upwards, the new start begins now. RTID!
