Another Sunday, where from the outset we were on the back foot. Again for the 4th time in 7 games we had bear 11, so left Taxi no selection worries. We knew that finding a replacement for Little Ben between the sticks was going to be difficult, but thought that after the weeks break in games we could find someone. How wrong could I be? Taxi signed a new player on the day in Del, and straight away asked him to do a shift in goal. Del thankfully took the challenge and put in a good 90 minute stint.
We were even with a full squad the under dogs before even kicking a ball. Now with bear 11 the odds took a drastic increase.
We knew what to expect from Eltham, they weren’t sitting 3rd in the top division for nothing. We all spoke before the game that we will have to try win every 50-50 and don’t let Eltham settle into their stride to play football. From kickoff Eltham played good football across their back four but never showed any penetrative football. As a whole we matched Eltham in the 1st half, if anything we had the better chances. Ben T and Rooney up top were showing why they are Taxis first choice strikers, with Stocky being the ever present providers. As a defence we charged down everything and never let Eltham have any sort of attempt at goal. Del to be fair never touched the ball unless retrieving it from the pitch behind.
The half time team talk was an encouraging one for once. It made a change for us the defenders not getting grief off others for silly mistakes we made in the 1st 45. We all knew that we could let Eltham play across the back four but once their influential midfielders or strikers get on the ball, it’s a different story. We had to protect Del like we done in the 1st.
We stuck to our guns for the first 20 minutes of the half, but then our tiredness and lack of awareness kicked in. With Eltham’s 1ST SHOT ON TARGET on the 70 minute mark Del was blinded by the covering defender and couldn’t do anything about it. It flew into the top of the net.
Eltham then had the bit between their teeth. They were awarded a STONE wall PENALTY straight after the goal. I have to put my hands up as the player “done me like a KIPPER” and I hacked him down. The Ref had an easy decision to make and made the correct one! Their striker stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner leaving Del no chance again. 2 – 0 down and the arguing started again!
We were arguing but we never gave up. Ben T (Man of the Match) won a free kick on the edge Eltham’s 18 yard box. As the Ref was pacing the 10 yards out I was watching where their keeper was positioning the wall. Either side I knew we had it in us to score, left foot of Ben T or right foot of Stocky. The keeper placed his wall to OUR right side leaving Ben licking his lips at the open left side. Ben struck the ball with accuracy and power but hit the left hand post flat on, the rebound fell kindly for their defender who cleared. Could of easily been 2 – 1 but it wasn’t meant to be!!
If the game was based on possession then Eltham would have won it hands down but on clear chances Eltham would admit, that goes to us!!
too be continued...
