After having a forced break over recent weeks, one with the weather not helping, The Revs were nervous going into this game. The Mole FC are always a lively team, young and brash and technically very gifted. However what they lack is game management, something The Revs have excelled at this season.
And so, as is always the case, it was a lacklustre opener with The Mole having the lion’s share of possession but it was The Revs that got the first glimpse with Beardall releasing Evans but his shot was smothered by the opposing keeper.
The Revs grew into the game and it was Beardall at the heart of things again for The Revs opener 5 minutes from half time. He played in a sublime ball across the area that Hartrick hit first time, the keeper was quickly off his line for a fine save, but Evans swooped in on the loose ball, getting to it before the keeper could react and struck in off the underside of the cross bar.
The Revs relaxed then into the game and at half time the talk was about upping it a gear and shutting out the opposition.
This is not to say that Myers didn’t have a job to do. The Mole had a very dangerous player that created openings for himself and Myers was on hand to thwart him and his team mates should an opening happen.
Generally though, their main threat was well marshalled by Phil Pinkstone, who acted as a shadow to the lad. I mean this poor lad couldn’t go for a shit without Phil been there! And to add to that Phil also showed his development as a player with a sublime touch after a cross field ball from Allen. I mean it has taken until he is almost 39, but this lad could become some player!
The other moment of magic came from Tyman who clearly took a note of Evans’ Cruyff turn to produce his own – to say he had a bigger turning circle than the QE2 is an understatement, but it worked, completely flummoxing the opposition who even exclaimed ‘What the f*** was that?!?!’ as Tyman bombed forward.
Eventually the decisive goal came late in the second half and it was that man Beardall again. A clever little pass into him from Allen allowed Beardall to strike on the half volley and a slight deflection wrong footed the keeper. It was just reward for a resolute performance.
Late on the opposition finally upped their game, maybe because they had nothing to lose now, but their strong running number 5 managed to get a touch event though tracked by Evans, and his shot was pinged at Myers whose reaction save was nothing short of brilliant to tip the ball out for a corner.
Hartrick produced a stunning slide tackle to block a goal bound shot and from the resulting free kick Beardall blocked the follow up shot. And finally The Revs were all at sea, very rare, when Myers pulled off a save and opposition were the quickest to react but Tyman blocked and Allen headed the danger away.
A nervy end for The Revs but they saw the game out after settling after that period and kept the ball away from the opposition.
Finally Allen had the chance late on to settle the game once and for all, bearing down on the keeper one on one but put his shot well wide – a proper face palm moment for the lad. But he is not usually there to score them, he’s there to stop them and The Revs earned another victory and another shut out.
Unfortunately Banterlona could not do The Revs a favour and lost to BFB which means next week is a big un! First Vs second and two games left to go… Huge effort needed by all!
