The pitch was in great condition but again we still had to sweep some snow but at least it was only one line this time. Weather was cold and bright.
Sax started the game well and took the game to The Tornadoes in the 1st minutes, Rossi hit the 1st cross of the game but no one had followed in at the back post. The game was being played very much in midfield and on 6 minutes Tornadoes had their 1st shot which Jack got behind to save. Tornadoes got caught offside and from the free kick by Jack Ed got a flick on it and it fell to Luke but his shot was straight at the keeper, a good chance gone. Tornadoes kept coming at us and the lads at the back had their work cut out to try and keep them out. On 13 minutes Sam got a good block in and got a knock on his leg in to the bargain. Tornadoes were pushing and Jack made another save on 15 minutes and then again from a free kick on 16 minutes. On 19 minutes Sax had a great chance to open the scoring, a scramble in the Tornadoes box saw several chances to score but somehow the ball didn't go in. 20 minutes Arron had a shot saved and it looked like we would never score. Tornadoes had a quick break down their left and Tom done well to get a foot in and win the ball, reliable in defence as always. Sax got a free kick on the edge of the area but Ryan's free kick was not his usual standard and it was straight at the wall. The next 5 minutes saw Sax under constant pressure but the lads held out well and any shots were saved by Jack. On 26 minutes Sax made the breakthrough, the ball came in from the left and after a bit of a scramble the ball came to Rossi for a tap in Sax 1 – 0 Tornadoes. After the goal we were under constant pressure and the lads were coping well. Jack's kicking was not as good as usual and were dropping short and the opposition were coming straight back at us. Just at the end of the half Tom and Sam won the ball in the corner and Sam and a Tornadoes player had a little scuffle but no harm done and they were told to get on with it.
HALF TIME SAX 1 – 0 TORNADOES
The lads were told at half time to expect an onslaught and to try and keep it tight. In the 42nd minute a great ball to Ed saw him one on one with the keeper but he didn't get his shot quite right and it went just wide. We had other opportunities, Arron hit a shot at the keeper and Tornadoes were starting to get more into the game. On 48 minutes Tornadoes were coming forward and Sam made a great tackle to win the ball, unfortunately the ball dropped to a Tornadoes player and Jack was unsighted as the ball went in for the equalizer. Sax 1 – 1 Tornadoes. 53 minutes and Johns flick went just too far in front of Ed and the keeper got there first. 55 minutes and a free kick to Tornadoes on the edge of the box, Jack tipped it on to the bar, the strikers were quicker to react and a tap in made it Sax 1 – 2 Tornadoes. The game was end to end and we didn't take our chances when we had them. Jack got injured when he came for a corner and this was a factor in the third goal for Tornadoes, a shot from outside the area would have usually been dealt with by Jack but he couldn't get down to it. Sax 1 – 3 Tornadoes. Sax pushed on looking to get something and on 66 minutes a long throw from John went to Connor in the area, he beat two players and crossed the ball for Luke to tap it in. Sax 2 – 3 Tornadoes. The drama wasn't over, a Tornadoes player was through on goal Jack took him down and the ref pointed at the spot. Kris was covering so the ref decided no further punishment was needed. The striker stepped up took his penalty but Jack saved it and the striker showed his frustration by ripping his bib off and throwing it to the ground.
The game finished Sax 2 – 3 Tornadoes. We knew before the game it was going to be a hard and in the first half we were the better team, but you don't get to be top of the league by not being a good team and Tornadoes are that. A game of ifs and maybes , if we had taken the chances we had. maybe if Jack,Ryan and Ed hadn't got injured.
Overall a good performance and we are not too far away from where we want to be. Bramford went above us in the league after this and we have them next week so another hard game coming up.
