Manager Craig Poxon put faith in Ben Rex-Bryd( or Red Beard to his shipmates) to take the role of Captain upon the pitch today and lead by example, he was all over that pitch causing the opposition problems and along with his team mates put on a solid performance despite not being able to produce the win today. It would be fair to say Riley's were unlucky not to come away with any points today because they were fully deserved.
Soon as kick off took place it was Riley's putting on the immediate pressure and in an opportunity presented Jamie Allen racing the keeper to the ball did jump and reach it first sending the ball just wide of the goal.
Action continued back and forth and then a chance came to Captain Red-Beard himself in the air, however what appeared to be a challenge in the air which a knee was clearly seen stabbed in his back forcing Red-Beard to the floor, the ref told him to get up on what surely should of bin a penalty. Poor decision from the referee. Captain Red-Beard was soon back up and getting his ship in order.
For about a 4 minute Spell Blacksmiths had full control having 3 corners into dangerous positions but the Riley's were working hard as a team. On a chance to counter with the wind behind them keeper Ben Emery threw the ball out Josh Beech who with nice footwork surged the ball forward and then produced a lovely long ball to Jamie but he couldn't quite get it under control was tackled. But he recovered the ball well passed across to new striker Khile Ulyett who shoots at goal, but the keeper gathers it up.
Just under the 20 minute mark the opposition had an opportunity to go ahead trying to play an offside completely failed even though the linesman flagged the player was clearly onside and the ref was aware of this and allowed play to continue, Riley's player just stood and watched in horror as a player ran one on one with the keeper and shoot, the went into the air and seem to stay there forever before final coming down and hitting the post, with this Riley's players reacted and made the save. If it had not bin for the wind it would have surely bin a goal.
Riley's back on the pressure and Khile was starting to find his footing well getting off a few shots at the keeper. Applying pressure winning his team a throw, Ben Robinson steps up to take the throw and sends it long into the box where it falls to Dan Brittian who gets of a shot on goal but is blocked and collected by keeper.
Blacksmiths on the attack now find themselves in a great spot and shoot winning a corner, from that corner the ball comes in and from a volley hits the crossbar, it bounces down and is hit from 8 yards out Steve Robey stretches out and makes the block that falls back to the same guy who shoots higher and the save is made by Ben Emery.
From that point Ben throws the ball out to Josh who takes on his man and passes across to Jamie, he then races the ball further in to the box who plays a through ball into the path of Khile, not knowing he had no pressure on him wastes a golden opportunity to charge forward and instead shoots straight away and scuffs his shot and its easy for the keeper.
All the defence have the same mind set today of safety 1st and when find themselves in a tough situation clear it out for a throw... And the defence of Jackson, Dickerson, Robey and Parkes have looked solid.
On the 30 min mark Captain Red-Beard challenging all over the ship well when the manager begins to smell a scent upon the shore, seem the locals had indeed brought weed along and were puffing away. Meanwhile upon a Riley's attack Dan Brittian chipped a ball over the defence into the box Captain Red-Beard like a cannon was on the end of it but it just goes wide of goal.
Blacksmith counter fast and its down to Robey to make a sliding tackle in the box which he reads well, its leads to a Riley's counter and the box fills up with players but Josh completely fluffs a cross into the box. But the keeper kick goes straight to a Riley's player the ball ends up at the Captains feet and he shoots but it's blocked by a defender, the ball comes down to Khile who volleys straight to the keeper.
End of 1st Half 0-0
The second half is underway but the pace has slowed and poor Jamie new from the Junior leagues is being introduced to the men's league as he finds himself coming against some rough tackles.
Dan Brittian found himself battling hard against a foe who was also sporting a head band. which lead to onlookers screaming head band wars from the side lines.
Jackson who was having a great game runs up and makes and interception in opposition territory, races the ball forward he looks up and plays a pass to Khile who wins Riley's first Corner of the game.
Chances keep coming back and forth and then the goal comes , the Blacksmiths striker turns and despite Steve Robey making the tackle it hits the striker and he has the run on Robey goes one on one with the keeper, keeper comes out but the striker just pokes it through his legs.
Riley's now are really going for it but the Blacksmith are starting to get dirty to stop Riley's recovering. Leading to one of them getting a yellow card.
Tragedy strikes as a ball comes into the Riley's box the keeper call for the ball but its too late as Robey has jumped and headed the ball over the keeper it drops down and the Blacksmiths player back heals it into the net.
Manager makes a change and its time up for Jamie and Khile and debuts for Ash Plant who will play at right mid allowing Josh to push to the forward position and Sasha Trizz Odt who will go at left mid.
The subs are straight into the mix and after some lovely passing between Sasha and Josh a cross comes into Plant who with an open goal sends the shot wide much to his despair.
Riley's not giving up push for a goal and after some great footwork and running by Sasha he wins them a corner. After a long throw from Ben Robinson straight into the box Captain Red-Beard himself heads it into goal. Game on.
Theres lots of pace going up and down the wings and Sasha finding himself on the ball cross a ball after running up the wing but nobody could get on the end of hit, Riley's in the space of 10 minutes should be leading 3-2
Blacksmiths are starting to get control of the game and with 10 minutes left manager Craig Poxon decides that his team deserve points from this game and makes a gamble. Jackson comes off after an exchausting game and Graham Haynes comes on and Riley's switch to 3 at the back sending Danny Parkes into midfield allowing the Captain to push on further.
But on the 84th minute so Blacksmiths countered and with there 2 strikers went on the offence, their striker ran wide and Graham made a sliding tackle won the ball but it hit the strikers shin and he had the run on the ball, Dickerson came across to challenge but it was too late a cross came in went over Robey's head and a free header unchallenged was scored 3-1 down with 5 minutes to play.
The Captain pushing his buccaneers to attack found himself with a good chance after a cross comes in from the left, Captain Red-Beard knowing he couldn't reach it cried out with an 'aaarrrrrrrrrgggg' and slapped the ball with his fist into the neck. The Blacksmiths were in shock cause after a 10 second delay both Riley's and Blacksmiths had believed the ref had given the goal... But it was not to be.
Action continued swinging both ways and Graham usually the axe found himself chopped down, Graham in a rage lept to his feet and in an unchristian like manner used obscene language to the guilty party and fully it was believed wanted a piece of him.
Eventually the ref blows the whistle on what has been a brilliant performance from both teams, I believe Riley's had all the better chances and plenty of them, but it was just 3 errors that lead to there downfall today, but that's all it takes.
Riley's as a team continue to improve as a team and step up their game, lets just hope this can continue.
