We all knew that this was going to be a real tough test against last season champions in our league. We had a mix bunch of results again Beehive last term with us beating them 4 – 1 at home, and losing 4 – 0 to them on their patch.
Taxi this week had the luxury of having 4 named subs before the game, this included last season’s top goal scorer Rooney who is just recovering from a broken wrist which occurred in pre-season.
Taxi called up our old Captain Michael W to bolster our centre midfield due to us missing Wayne & Nick for the game. I partnered Rhys at centre half, Kav and Brad made the rest of the defence up. Michael W and Stocky were in the middle with Phil on the left and Barry on the right. The ever present Ben T was paired with Darren up top. On paper this WAS a very strong starting 11.
From kickoff Beehive pressed well and allowed us no time to play football. It was a very scrappy first 15 minutes. Beehive got their break and it came from a sloppy back pass from Me (Sean). Their striker run onto my back-pass before Ben could get there. Ben had no choice but to take their player down, the Ref had no choice but to award a penalty. Beehive complained that Ben should of saw RED but the Ref said Rhys was back on the goal line. GOOD DECISION.
I was apologising to everyone when there Captain stepped up to take the spot kick. Ben picked the same way and managed to get a hand to the ball. SAVED! The ball rolled back out to the Captain who on 2nd attempt shot straight at the stranded Ben. What a let off especially for me!!
We were limited to two chances in the 1st half. One with Barry coming close from an exceptional 1-2 with Ben T. Barry tried the lob but saw his attempt sail over the bar. The 2nd attempt come from a long throw by Stocky which Phil should have done better. Phil’s header just went wide from 3 yards out!!
0-0HALF TIME ON REFLECTION WAS A FAIR RESULT.
Taxi’s team talk at the break was only to keep going as we were and he said the chances will come!!
Within 5 minutes of the restart our chance did come. From a big lump up pitch from Little Ben, Ben T controlled superbly and in one movement found his strike partner Darren. Darren ran through one on one. His shot was saved brilliantly by the Beehive keeper but luckily for us the ball rebounder against Darren and trickled over the line. 1 – 0 STATION. At this point we were totally in control.
We nearly made it 2-0 with some brilliant play down the left from Brad and Phil. Brad looked up and crossed the ball. It found Barry at the back post who’s headed scrapped the angle. Great header but SO unlucky!!!
To be fair Beehive then applied a lot of pressure which I thought the team especially the defence dealt with well. Beehives main chances came from long throw-ins, but again we dealt well with them. From one throw-in Beehive won the flick on and had a shot save on the line by the outstretched Bradley. Great piece of defending again!
FINAL WHISTLE 1-0
I think the whole team would agree that the most pleasing issue of the result was the fact we kept a clean sheet. I thought it was a first-rate performance by all 11 players!!!
