The team continues to impress each week with a real determination to succeed. That’s not to say The Revs do it the easy way, far from it…
Doesn’t help when the ref, just before kick-off, informs you his eye sight isn’t the best, he’s partially deaf and had a torrid upbringing!
The youngsters of The Mole FC started the better without really making any impact and The Revs looked a little sluggish. Build up play was decent but the final third was a little lacking in comparison to previous weeks. And then mini-horror show part 1 developed as a ball looped over the top, more in hope than anything, was hit on the volley by Jamie Allen and lobbed over a stranded Myers to place neatly into the goal and put the opposition one up.
It was unfortunate to say the least and the opposition took great glee in the events. The only real chances of note in that first half falling to Hartrick who tried to lob the tall opposition keeper from an acute angle that never really troubled him and James Evans whose follow up shot from a Pinkstone block wasn’t hit hard enough and the keeper managed to scramble the ball away.
The lads were given a hefty talking to at half time by James Evans – clearly not happy that midfield had gone missing and chances had been squandered. It was fair to say The Revs were under par and when going for the title only 3 points would do.
And with that The Revs knew what they had to do. And do it they did.
A returning Hartrick found his shooting boots and the right place to be after a lovely move involving Myers, Evans and then a sublime ball through by Beardall allowing Hartrick the space and time to turn his defender and finish in the bottom corner.
It wasn’t long before Beardall turned provider again. This one was all about guts and determination as he raced forward onto a superb cross field ball from Allen, just beating the keeper and nipping the ball into Hartrick’s path before being clattered. Hartrick making no mistake from close range.
And it got better as The Revs cranked up the pressure further. This time Jamie Allen putting pressure on the keeper, cutting out the ball and squaring it to Hartrick to complete his hatrick. The captain looked back at his keeper and gave a mighty fist pump of relief more than anything.
Further chances came and went with the opposition keeper pulling off some decent saves keeping his team still in the tie. Dave Pinkstone cutting out a long pass with a fine stooping header into James Evans whose turn and shot was glanced away by fingertips.
The move of the game, even appreciated by the opposition, came from a corner with some inter-play between James Evans and Gareth Beardall eventually linking into Dave Pinkstone whose shot was expertly saved by a despairing keeper.
Mini-horror show part 2, however, put the cat amongst the pigeons and Jamie Allen – once again first to spot the danger – got his feet mixed up and cut the ball inside to an onrushing attacker who fumbled it somehow past Myers. A goal and an assist for Mr. Allen… sir, your taxi is on the way.
This suddenly gave the opposition a little belief and with little over 3 minutes left they surged forward looking for the equaliser.
Lewis Evans was not having any of that though and he cut out a ball deep into his own half and came rampaging forward. Two would be defenders just could not get the ball off him and the lung-bursting run really took the pressure off and allowed his elder brother to support him. Lewis played a square ball into James, leaving the keeper stranded, only for Evans Senior to horribly miss from close range. Fair to say it wasn’t James Evans’ night in front of goal… Good job, therefore, we had a returning Hartrick banging in hatricks!
Moments later the referee blew the final whistle and the comeback was complete! A 5th victory on the bounce to see The Revs continue their title challenge. One more big challenge to come as next week see’s 1st vs 2nd for what will surely be the title decider…
It’s our time! Believe it…
But first let’s celebrate all that is good about this season with the Revs Rail Ale Trail this coming weekend. All aboard!!
