Well what a few weeks it has been. No matter what has been thrown at the lads, they have kept on going and have certainly hit a purple patch at the moment.
So when pitch side temperatures were up to around 18 degrees (look, that is what it said on my car dash!) and with no sub on the evening it was going to be a slog!
It really is a good job Tyman brought 18 litres of water!!
The game started well for The Revs – well in fact apart from one or two moments, the game went well full stop! The Revs certainly had the lion’s share of possession and peppered the opposition goal at well on occasions. It must have been the most corner’s The Revs have ever won such was the dominance.
Evans and Tyman marshalled at the back, sweeping up everything that came their way. But if anything did get past there was always another player on hand to clear the danger. Everyone worked their arses off in stifling heat.
And that was the difference between the sides. The Revs worked extremely hard to get back, to make life difficult for the opposition. The opposition – under pressure – were making it easy for The Revs to get forward. One team had composure, whilst the other team panicked.
With Evans and Tyman creating space from the back, it allowed Steane the freedom to play out and find players in space. There were none better at finding space than Dave P last night. He was loving the open pitch in front of him. He got on the end of most things and with Hartrick holding up the ball up or flicking it on and Beardall having fun pinging balls around, Dave P was lapping it up. And the opposition could not handle him!
The one downside to last night was the fact The Revs squandered a lot of chances. Every single player had an opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net, some more than others, but these moments were wasted and the general feeling was it was hoped it didn’t come to bite them on the ass!
Eventually as the first half closed out the breakthrough was made. A breakaway from Evans from the back was supported by the rampaging Tyman and a fine left footed pass into the path of Tyman left the opposition no chance as he smashed it in.
It was well and truly what we deserved.
In all honesty apart from a few pot shots, the opposition didn’t offer much. Steane, with a clean sheet to his name, will be the first to admit that he had one of his quieter games. The Revs really should have been out of sight.
However, the work rate and the football played was brilliant and it was a hugely entertaining game to be part of. Beardall was producing moments of magic that the opposition could not deal with. A clever flick over the approaching defender and a lovely pass across the area should have resulted in a customary H goal but unfortunately the shot was high, wide and not that pretty.
Dave P for all the fun he was having, creating havoc, had many opportunities to put the tie to bed but a series of blocks and saves prevented the score line being added to.
As I said earlier every single player on the pitch was guilty of a glaring miss at one point during the game. But hard work and a desire to win every ball more than made up for it in the end.
Late on, as energy levels dipped in the heat, The Revs had to deal with a brief comeback of sorts, a few corners and kick ins late on, but everything was dealt with by a superb defensive display.
And so the whistle went on a terrific, if not handsome, victory. The Revs brought the heat in the heat!
