The lads all seemed in good spirits pre-kick off. I guess it was good to be back after what seems a long lay-off. The highlight of the warm up seemed to be Lewis’ extraordinary neck muscles and how high he could head the ball. Surely a pointless exercise and this talent would not be needed in the actual game?!?! Would it?
And so The Revs faced 2nd placed The Rosse, who managed to get the better of The Revs earlier in the season inflicting the heaviest defeat of the season. Although the score line that day severely flattered the opposition.
The Revs actually started the brighter, plenty of possession, some dangerous attacks and Tyman – deputising in goal – had very little to do.
This all changed with the introduction of Ginger George. A very good player, a very left footed player, but he controlled things and seemed to spur the opposition on going forward.
Tyman was soon facing some shots. But boy did he do well – the pick of those saves being a one handed diving save to top the ball round the corner.
At the other end The Rosse possessed a gangly keeper who looked and played awkward but was deceivingly good, especially saving with his long legs. He also expertly denied Beardall with a goal begging.
It was a very open game with both teams evenly matched. The Revs been the more direct team, whereas The Rosse constantly tried to play the perfect ball in a methodical build up play.
The half came to an end and it was delicately poised at 0-0. Both teams having chances and so could still go either way.
The breakthrough was made early in the second half. The opposition finally finding a way through a touch defence and a shot managed to take everyone off guard and squeeze into the bottom corner.
But a strange thing happened. The Rosse sort of stopped playing, sat deep and tried to spring the counter attack instead of taking the game to The Revs. This gave Tyman plenty of time and space to bring the ball forward deep into their half. No one seemed interested in closing him down.
Seeing the freedom he had Tyman unleashed a shot that Hartrick got his ham-hock sized thighs to and it guided the ball to the inside of the post!! It was all level again and The Revs pushed on.
Dave P probably having the best opportunity as a delightful ball was played through to him by Allen, but a poor first touch allowed the keeper to spoil the party.
The opposition tried to up the tempo and Ginger George took charge once again. The lads allowed him little space and so the opposition resorted to long range efforts that didn’t trouble The Revs goal.
Every man on that pitch put in a shift during this period, affording the opposition no space or time on the ball.
And then the moment came…
A sliding tackle in the area from the opposition defender and Phil P screaming the loudest, gave the ref no option but to award the penalty. A first penalty at 6aside for The Revs. Such was the rarity there was no one really wanting to accept the pressure and take it. Up stepped the captain and probably scored the best penalty he’s ever taken, smashing it to the right as the keeper dived left and in off the underside of the crossbar.
The Revs now had a lead to protect and the aim was to keep the ball away from the opposition for the final few minutes. Even then the opposition managed to squirm through a tight defence and get a shot off from close range, but it was another brilliant stop from Tyman to deny them the equaliser.
And then, when you need a pressure reliever what better way than to head the ball, high and hard up in the air in the opposition half several times to keep the ball away from them… If only we had someone with extraordinary neck muscles to do that!!!
Maybe the warm up was useful after all…
A terrific win by all involved and the team move on to the final game of the season!
