Todays Game at Bacton started off with it being cold and wet but the sun made a brief appearance before it rained again right at the end of the game.
Sax got the KO and we started well with george having a shot inside the 1st minute and we then won a free kick in the 2nd minute which Finchy got on target but the Bacton keeper saved it.
It was always going to be a tricky game on a small pitch and with 3/4 goals and the Bacton lads being well up for the game. The Sax lads were looking unsettled by the quick tempo and the lack of space. Bacton won a corner in the 4th minute and could have easily been knocked in by the unmarked Bacton player at the back post luckily it went past everyone and went out for a goal kick. The Bacton lads won the ball back and were attacking at will with the Sax Defence struggling to keep them out and in the 9th minute the Bacton pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty when the ref saw a foul by Jack which seemed harsh. Jack guessed the right way but it was a good Pen and it was 1 - 0. The Sax lads were clearly struggling on the small pitch and a couple of changes were made with John and Connor coming on to replace Ollie and Jake and Rossi moved up to left mid, on 21 the switch paid off when Rossi was put in on goal by a lovely ball from Ed 1 - 1. The goal lifted the Sax boys and they started to put some passes together and Ed had another shot saved by the keeper. On 30 Rossi and Ed linked up again with the goal and assist going the other way and Ed getting his 15th of the season1 - 2. Some of the boys were getting frustrated with the officials decisions and they are going to have to learn that we play better when we just accept things and play the game even if we dont like it. The rest of the half was scrappy and I was happy to get to half time with a lead.
Half time Bacton 1 - 2 Sax
2nd half
After some words at half time the boys went on to play some football with zach replacing George . Ed was straight in with 2 shots in quick succession. Bacton were quick to any loose ball and were winning lots of the ball in the midfield and making Jack work hard in goal, we were giving away a lot of free kicks and Bacton were unlucky to level the score when one of their free kicks caused chaos in the box and the ball eventually came off the bar and 1 of the Sax players had to kick it clear but it came straight back in and it was a relief to see the ball in Jacks hands. On 26 the ball came to John in the box and he done what John can when he keeps his head and plays football. the rest of the game was played out with neither team having any clear chances and ot ended up Bacton 1 - 3 Sax and another 3 points to Sax.
It is a shame when all of the good work we do are spoilt by the odd bit of silliness and it is something that I hope we can move away from for the rest of the season and be the team that everyone talks about for the right reasons.
Jack S was given MOM today by the Bacton manager and I thought that Ed was very close with his constant running and all round good play. Well done for the result today and the 3 points we are top by 2 points and with a game in hand so a good start to 2009.
We move on to our 1st home game for a while naxt week when we entertain Sutton who praised us for our positive behaviour last time so let do it again
David
