The game today was important for the team to get back on track after a tough defeat last week and the opponents were not going to be easy as they havent lost a game for about 40 games before this match.
The lads started well and were not going to be pushed around like they were last week. Ed has the 1st chance on 8 minutes after he picked up a loose ball but his shot went wide. On 12 Ben made a great run into the box after Tom played a good ball forward. He was brought down and the Ref pointed at the spot, Ben stepped up and I think that will be the last time he steps up to take a pen, straight at the keeper and a soft shot. 15 minutes gone, a free kick just inside the Tornadoes half. Arron put in a great ball and Sam and Ben both went for it, the ball went into the back of the net, Sam got up to claim it but whoever it was it was a good reaction to the pen miss.
On 18 minutes Tornadoes scored and amongst the celebrations from the visitors they didnt notice that the Ref had disallowed it for a foul on the keeper. 20 minutes and a Tornadoes player got the 1st yellow of the game for dissent and the Tornadoes team were starting to ge frustrated with the Ref.
The next few minutes were even with both teams having chances but Tornadoes not really troubling the Sax goal. 30 minutes and Sax doubled the lead, a corner came in, it was punched out from the keeper and Luke jumped up to head home.
On 31 Tornadoes got one back, a free kick similar to our 1st goal and despite the work in training a free header and a goal.
We had to make a change on 32. Sam was on the ground and we feared the worst for his ankle. I rushed on and asked him if it was ok. I didnt expect his reply, these are his words "I think my bell end is bleeding." I tried not to laugh but it didnt work. I cant confirm if it was or not and I dont want to check it either. 38 minutes and the 2nd pen of the game and a soft one at that. Jack went the wrong way and it made it 2-2. Rossi had a good chance to put us ahead after he collected Ed's through ball but his shot was weak and straight at the keeper.
The lads did well for the 1st half and were unlucky to go into the half time break without being in the lead but it left it all to play for in the 2nd with the wind and down the slope.
HALF TIME SAX 2 – TORNADOES 2
The 2nd half started with Jack making a good save early on and then the ball going straight up the other end. Ed was brought down in the box and the Ref pointed to the spot for a 3rd time in the game. Arron stepped up for this and he made sure with this one to make the score 3-2. Tornadoes went straight up to attack and again Jack made a good save when he was 1 on 1. On 10 Tornadoes got the equaliser with a through ball and Jack not able to prevent this one. 1 minute later Sax were back in the lead after some great football down the right. The ball went to Ben and he got it to Arron to score his 2nd of the game. Strow had a chance to extend the lead but the keeper made a good save to keep them in it. On 62 the Ref made two decisions that surprised us all for different reasons, one was a penalty against us that looked harsh, but the one that caused more upset was the 2nd yellow and sending off for Tornadoes, this didnt go down too well but it suited us more than them. After all this the striker stepped up but Jack made the save and Kris knocked the ball out for a corner. Tornadoes were getting more frustrated on and off the pitch. Sax got a corner and tried one of their specials but the lino and Ref couldnt keep up with the lads and made them retake it. Tornadoes got a free kick on 34 and again Jack made a good save to tip it over the bar. Ryan had a great volley saved on 34 and Tornadoes then cleared the corner off the line. On 36 the Tornadoes striker made a great run through midfield and hit a great shot that Jack done well to get down to and then get up to pounce on the loose ball.
Right at the end of the half some good work from Connor that made the game safe and settled the nerves and a good cross in and Ed got the slightest touch and it went in to make it 5-3.
The game was incident packed and you wont see many games with four penalties, two of which were saved. The Ref did well in my opinion and you know what to expect with Tim if you keep quiet and get on with it he lets you play. The Tornadoes will obviously have a different view but that is football.
Well done to all the lads today, a great result against a team that doesnt lose very often or concede 5 in a game. A great reaction to last wekks defeat and a good effort all round.
David
