This game should have been a banker for the team in joint top, but The Revs put in a sterling effort and had the opposition worried for large parts of the game.
Hartrick started as the striking option with Evans in midfield and this worked well in the first half. Hartrick linked up well with a marauding Tyman to put Evans in only for his shot to hit the post. Again Hartrick lofted a ball over the defence for Evans to run onto but ended with their keeper left in a heap as Evans clattered him going for the ball.
The opposition had the fair share of the possession, there's no doubt about that, but if they did break the shackles of Tyman at the back, they found it hard to get past an inform Myers. Time and time again the defence snuffed out their attack, every man putting their body on the line to stop them getting the breakthrough.
Hatrick had a long range shot that whistled over the bar from a counter attack and he added the woodwork to his collection also. Evans also produced a crunching tackle that seemed to give energy to the rest of the team going forward.
The breakthrough did come for the opposition though, once again it was more or less on the stroke of half time. Evans stayed further forward, to take advantage of any counter attack, leaving his man to roam forward who was played into space and struck a ball into the bottom corner of the goal. The Revs did not let this discourage them though.
The second half was action packed from start to finish. This was Steane's half. He covered every blade of the plastic park, on a one man mission to get The Revs back into the game. It spurred on the team, all busting a gut to help out.
The Revs eventually were rewarded. Beardall whipped in a ball to Hartrick who provided the finish - his 499th in the blue of The Revs - giving the team a much needed lift. D. Pinkstone started having an influence down the wing, supporting the forward play. Steane again was everywhere, forward and back, including a stint upfront, narrowly getting beat to the ball. Tyman shored up the back with Marshall taking pressure off with forward runs and aggresive tackling.
Myers distribution at times was wayward, maybe not realising how much time he had on occasions, but the scrambling defence stood firm in the main.
One of the opposition then scored two identical goals on the break, cutting inside twice to fool Myers and tap into goal. Once again The Revs had let in goals on the counter as they looked to play more expansive going forward. Once again the opposition broke free after a Revs attack fooling Myers but this time Steane was available to clear off the line to prevent a 4th and potentially killer goal. Beardall then put in lung busting runs to track back and prevent further attacks. Beardall also clearning his lines with an up and under that Steane put back into the mixer accidentally. Myers caught their attacker rushing out, but not getting his feet right leading to a freekick that was frantically cleared. Marshall typified the effort with great tracking for a ball going out of play, only to be unlucky with a rebound taking it out for a goal kick
It became a very end to end game with The Revs having the last word though. Beardall once again pile driving a ball in from a kick in that the opposition had no choice but to intercept as Pinkstone waited for a tap in, putting into his own net. The game was in for a grandstand finish as both teams looked for an extra goal. Steane once again proving as invaluable at the back as he was going foward, sheparding the ball out for a goal kick under pressure. Myers almost fluffed his lines when passing out wide for Evans to set up another attack, but from that the ball went into the feet of Hartrick for the last attack. With several players up for support, he opted to turn his defender and shoot, but it agonisingly went over the bar and with that the whistle went and The Revs were on the end of a 3-2 loss.
Do not underestimate this performace though. Every man played their heart out, played their part and once again The Revs showed they can compete with the best in this league. The win will come and the only way is up for the squad. By far the best performance of the season, once again showing the development and improvement each week as the team get used to this format.
Everyone led by example, no one more so than Matthew Steane - foot injury? What foot injury!?!
