Another Saturday and another windy day the pitch in good condition but the wind was going to make playing conditions tricky.
The visitors came to Carlton Park having gone 28 games back to last season scoring in every game and regularly scoring 5 or more in a game.
We spoke about playing with the wind in the first half and lost the toss so we played against it. This proved to be a good thing as the lads played some really good football and created loads of chances that just wouldn’t go in. Shotley looked dangerous when they had the ball and did hit the post with a long range effort that was then cleared away by the defence and the danger passed, they also had a goal ruled out for an offside. Apart from that they were limited to long range shots and using a long throw when they had the chance. Sax had a few good chances with the clearest one falling to Kyle “Banjo Man” Sore who was celebrating before he kicked the ball unfortunately he didn’t kick the ball and the chance went. Sax continued to play well and the half ended 0-0
At half time we spoke about carrying on as we had been doing but there were times when we did go a bit long which is understandable considering the conditions. Shotley were fired up for the 2nd half but don’t seem to understand the off-side rule but that wasn’t helped by the ref not noticing the flag very quickly, the lino (whoever he was) wasn’t the most popular person up the park but I think calling him a c**t wasn’t the best way to deal with it. The half was pretty much like the first half with chances both ends but unfortunately for us we couldn’t find the back of the net. Towards the end of the half Rory had a clash of heads with a Shotley player which led to a 5 minute break in the play and both players needing treatment. Rory has a nice egg shaped lump on his forehead.
All in all we would have taken a draw before the game and no doubt the visitors will say they would have beaten us if they had their full strength team but they didn’t and we can only play the team that turns up and I think on balance of play Sax were the better team on the day. A good defensive display and a clean sheet all we have to do is start taking our chances and the improvement will continue.
