After a horrendous month and three games without a goal, the odds were not looking good. Driving rain adding to a number of key absentees meant Steane had to go in goal whilst feeling under the weather and Cordingley was drafted in.
A late entry by P. Pinkstone meant at least The Revs had a sub, but oh how they all played!
A real lack of belief has crept in over recent weeks and in the end this was a game The Revs could have won and maybe should have won.
Let's get this straight first though, no one was looking forward to this game. No one believed The Revs would be in with a chance.
Everything the opposition threw at The Revs was dealt with and the football played at times was brilliant. Everyone determined not to be out muscled, beaten or humiliated.
So much so was The Revs dominance that they even took the lead through Tyman after Beardall whipped a ball into the box. Tyman was the first to react amongst the static defenders to smash the ball in.
A goal!! A bloody goal! A real goal!!! On this night The Revs would not be nilled!!
There were other chances also that went narrowly wide or just over the bar, but chances were been carved out. In fact there were more opportunities in the first half then the last few games put together.
Cordingley did the job he was brought in for, to be a pest. He buzzed around and seemingly nicked the ball with ease at times.
However, the stand out performer was D. Pinkstone. He was like a man possessed, taking on defenders, scaring them to death with his pace and causing all manner of problems for the opposition. The only disappointment is we do not see more of this from him. Hopefully this game is the injection of confidence he needs to perform at this level every week.
The first half was error free. Even when they did break The Revs had the intelligence and field position to deal with anything they threw at them. Beardall, at one point, tracking his man, pushing him further out wide and Evans clearing up at the back from the cross with an attacker breathing down his neck.
P. Pinkstone also put a shift in, albeit carrying an injury and even stuck his nut on the ball on more than one occasion. Seems he forgot he'd done his hair this night!
Tyman was having a ball further up the field too. Plenty of time for him to survey the land and bring the ball forward, taking on players and passing on. His strength meaning he rarely lost possession unless he was falling over the ball on the sidelines when trying to control it of course! I would give him a solid 7 for the backwards roly poly!
Beardall also managed the swoosh award when a ball was drilled across the area, but the feel good factor was definitely back!
The second half came and unfortunately two rare errors led to two early goals - against the run of play. The first from a corner which Beardall misjudged and then a deflection off Evans that beat Steane at the far post.
The Revs ploughed on though, searching for the equaliser.
With five minutes remaining the turning point came. A ball lofted forward saw Evans and the defender both go for it. However Evans withdrew his foot at the last moment as the defender stooped to header it. The ball did not connect and Evans swivelled and shot past the keeper for the equaliser... only for it to be wiped off by the ref for a high foot. The defender also smirking knowing he had got away with a mistake.
Still protesting as the freekick was taken, catching the defence out, and a lack of communication between keeper and defender saw the opposition nick a third!
With time ticking away The Revs dominated once more. Finally, in the last minute, after serious pressure from Tyman a corner was given. Beardall whipped it intot he near post for Evans to backheel beyond the defender and keeper making it 3-2 with less than a minute to go.
The Revs pressured and pressed for that final minute earning one more corner. This time Evans whipped it in hard and low and saw the ball ping off the post but no one could get to the rebound as it went agonisingly out for a kick in. And with that the whistle went and the chance for a point was gone.
There was mixed emotions at the full time whistle. The lads had played the best football they had for well over a month, but on the other hand it was a game that they could have won in the end.
At least the belief was back heading into the fixture against top spot next week. Backs against the wall suits The revs it seems!
