A last minute change of venue for today’s game had us playing on the pitch at East Bergholt high school and considering the rain we have had over the past few days it was in very good condition. The weather was dry and bright but a little cool perfect for football.
After last week’s goalfest it was always going to be a much harder game this week and the lads were going to have to work hard and play well to get the 3 points out of this game. Jack won the toss and decided to change ends hoping that the sun would go in before the 2nd half, Brantham had the kick but it wasn’t long before we won the ball and launched our 1st attack and after some good play Rossi got a shot away but it didn’t trouble the keeper. The lads looked like they were up for this game and were playing some good football in the 2nd minute Ed was put though on goal but the flag was up and he was ruled offside, Brantham had an attack and the ball ended up with Jack he got the ball quickly to John who raced clear down the right beating he defenders but his shot went over with 2 players waiting in the box for a cross maybe it was the wrong decision to shoot. Sax were dominating the game and Brantham were struggling to get out of their own half, some excellent 1 touch football 1 move started at the back and went through Fish onto Rossi then to Ed but unfortunately no shot on goal to finish the move. Rossi was involved again when he set up John but his shot was blocked by a defender and it went out for a corner.
Brantham started to settle after 15 mins and were getting back into the game when we had our 1st forced change John had his back to goal looking to bring the midfield in to play when a defender slid in and caught him on the back of the ankle, John stayed down and the bruising was instant but no free- kick given, a painful one but John would be ok after a squirt of water and a rest. Connor came on to do a job on the right. Brantham had a free kick on 18 and their 1st shot on our goal and after a scramble the ball went over the bar, another free kick on 20 had the same outcome and then Brantham got another decision go their way but this 1 would prove to be expensive for us. The ball came in and a striker bundled the ball over the line it was ruled out for offside but after the box had cleared big Sam was left on the floor, he came off and it looked bad after some Hospital treatment it was confirmed he has cruciate ligament damage and will be on crutches for at least 4 weeks and probably out of action for longer, another forced change Connor (Mr versatile) came over to left back and Ollie went on to the right.
Tom made a good run down the right playing a one two with Ollie before he crossed to Ryan whose shot was saved well by the keeper. The changes and the injury to Sam had an effect on the lads for a while and Brantham were on the front foot 2 corners in quick succession but no goals. We had our own quick break with Ed playing on to Ryan a good ball through to Rossi but he put it over the bar. The missed chances were starting to add up, on 28 we thought our luck had run out a long ball from the Brantham defence was going to Jack he came out and tried to clear it, it hit the striker and looked like it was going in but it went just wide a let off for us and a wakeup call. Rossi then made a good run down the left and put in a good ball that was just too far in front of Ed and he couldn’t get there. On 37 we got the breakthrough a hand ball on the edge of the Brantham area A Sax Free kick (hooray) everyone was trying to get in position Fish spotted Rossi in space and played a quick ball to him he twisted and turned a beat the defender and put it past the keeper great vision from Fish and a good finish Brantham 0-1 Sax no more than we deserved for all the lads hard work. The half finished with the score like that and the lads playing very well and as well as they have for the last few games.
Half-time
Brantham 0-1 Sax
The 2nd half started with John going back on to replace Ryan Brantham (or Bramford if you are Tim) were playing well and the lads were having to defend well to keep the out but with the lads we have playing at the back for us we are hard to break down and it takes some good play or a mistake for teams to get a shot on goal. On 45 Brantham had an attack and after some good play from them the striker got through and had a shot on goal but Jack got down quickly to his right to make the save. Brantham were pushing for the equaliser and winning lots of free kicks 1 of them went through everyone and out for a goal kick Sax and in particular Finch were defending well but we needed to get going and try and force the 2nd, it started coming back our way on 55 Kris won the ball in defence and played a great ball on to John which ended up with a Sax corner the ball came in but Ed’s header went just over the bar.
After even more Brantham free kicks which the defence and midfield were dealing with and soaking up the pressure we were nervous on the side but the boys looked happy. Finchy was winning everything in the air and getting his foot in when he could to stop shots and through balls. He really raised his game today and looked like the Finchy that we have been missing for a few games. On 56 minutes we got a free kick it didn’t come to anything but we did get 1. 60 minutes on the clock and we had a corner John and Arron worked it well and the ball was put in to the box after a scramble the ball came to Finchy and he poked it in to the net a goal to cap off his great game. On 70 Brantham got 1 back a short back pass from Kris left Jack with too much to do and the Striker nipped in and put it past him Brantham 1 – 2 Sax. On 73 Rossi had a chance to finish the game off when a ball came in to him but his volley went wide he had more time than he thought. We finished strongly and won 2 more free kicks the 1st 1 Ryan shot wide then Ed crossed 1 in and the keeper caught it. The whistle went and we were happy with the 3 points and the way we played against a very good Brantham side.
Finchy got MOM today for his all round game and the goal but all the lads at the back worked hard to keep the strikers out. The midfield worked hard today and we completed more passes this week than we have for a few games and we played it simple which is what we are looking for, Jack done well in goal and organising the lads and the Strikers worked their socks off against a strong back 4 no goals for them today but the all round play was good. The downside is the injury to Sam and I hope that he is fit again soon as I know how fed up he is and we will miss him on the pitch but the other lads will step up to the plate and take his place.
Well done a great result
David
