A more ruthless team would have been proud of their victory over AFC Ringwood, but a too often toothless Sailors squad again fell by the way-side.
For a change over recent weeks, fit again manager, JT, decided to bulk up his midfield with a trio of attack minded players.
This seemed to bear instant reward as within minutes they were passing it around their opponents and creating encouraging chances.
A poorly cleared corner fell to the workhorse feet of Nathan Barber to thunder in low to the keepers left. From there on it got better, with visible signs of confidence breathed into the Sailors their passing game improved further, causing the Ringwood team to query how they were going to combat it.
A burst through the middle from Mike Collins exposed their static back line, but the little man's legs could not quite seem him through for the finish his run deserved.
There was time to add a clattering of the post before the Sailors defence undid their previous good work.
A weak clearance under a foul caused Ringwood to regain possession and when the left midfielder ghosted past JT, he could only turn and bring the man down. Questions will be asked as to whether the player would have scored from such an acute angle.
The resultant penalty was a poor one, but Dan Rose only just failed to get close enought to keep it out.
Feeling resurgent after that gift, a long ball was punted forward and a high line caught the Sailors napping, with Lombardo ghosting in behind Crouchy to slide it past the Hippo.
There was time for a few goal mouth scrambles and a couple of saves which even brought applause from the opposite team by the diving Hippo before a badly marked throw-in turned into the worst outcome.
Flicked on at the edge of the 6 yard box, the ball sneaked in between the diving Sailors keeper and the front post.
There was a blatant shout for a penalty at the other end when Ryan Junior made a lung buusting run forward, only to be dragged back. Unfortunatley the ref was distracted by Callum Wells latest fashion faux pas and missed the opportunity.
As the Sailors pushed for goals, gaps within the midfield became larger and the increasingly confident away team began to play through the Sailors defence.
Half-time was spent discussing the good ways in which we'd passed the ball around, but more chances and goals were called for.
"The next goal is the most important...", came the soon to be famous line from the Sailors new manager.
10 minutes in and lightning strikes for the second time.
JT got caught flat footed and wrestled the opponent to the floor. He furiously protested, but the foul was clear as day.
The resultant penalty was much better and the keeper could not shift across to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
However, the Sailors spirit is not often lost and another fight-back ensued. A free-kick of tremendous quality was floated up and over the Ringwood wall from 25 yards by Mike Collins to crash into the top left hand corner of the opposition net.
Unfortunately, as with so many games this season, keeping the ball out of their own goal continued to be a problem as a lack of commitment in the tackle allowed the Ringwood midfielder to retain position and smash the ball high into the Sailors net.
The Sailors team can reflect on a reasonable performance with some great spells of possession, but stemming the number of goals they concede and scoring quite a few more at the other end are the biggest areas needed for improvement.
MOM: Nathan Barber – Hardly put a foot wrong all game and scored a beauty to match
AP's one to watch: Grandad – A few slightly worrying pre-season showings have been turned into rock-solid performances.
Jacko's pick: Nathan Barber - Yeeeeeeeep.
Doughnut of the day: Tough one. “2-pens” JT or “Offside from a throw-in” Nugget? Nugget every time…
Ps. Just in-case you thought I forgot, rumour has it Dave Giles is still on the pitch now, still dribbling towards the keeper and wondering what to do. Oh, the nightmares!
