Stats add another 3 points to the bag and climb the table to 8th.
After a poor performance last week we were looking for an improved one this week and a nice little 3 points against a team that were near us in the table.
I am always somewhat cloudy with my memories of a game so if anyone wants to chip in with details then thats all good.
We had a nice buzz about us before the game with our new fun warm up! I like that one and think we should keep it!
However it seemed to me that we didnt start too well.
I went with a 3-4-3 to suit the personnel we had on offer after a few injuries and another no show from Darryl.
Initially I think our front 3, despite trying to make it work were a little static and we didnt really look after it well enough and bring people into play.
Once we began to move more up there and get a hold of the ball when it came we looked more like a team as certain people got a little frustrated and vented this, which in turn escalated into a lack of confidence throughout the side.
Giles was a threat and had 3 chances in the first half which he was unfortunate to notch from.
Ciaran was working hard and getting hold of the balll, trying to bring people into play from deep.
Autopaints had a few lively players and were threatening in the air.
Loft was solid in goal and extremely calm with the ball at his feet.
The first half was a slow progression in quality and it was rewarded with a goal just before half time when we capatalised from a corner.
A superb delivery from Spagey from the left was headed in by Danny G at the back post - Alex tells me he was involved and should be awarded an assist for this!!
DID ANYONE ELSE SEE THIS?!
Just before this one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen in football occured.
It involved a lazy Irish Linesman who kind of indicated that ball had gone out for a goal kick, but no one including their dopey forward knew what was going on!
Standing on the goal line with an open goal he decided to not bother putting it in!
Cheers for that one u big sos!
So 1-0 at half time we established if we were positive enough and got some clever movement from the front 3 and support from the midfield 4 we could push on and secure the 3 points.
We played some good stuff in the 2nd half but I think we failed to make the most of it, not for the want of trying.
We made chances which is positive, we just didnt put em in the onion bag.
I am happy that we made chances, this is always important and if we do that we will score goals.
Ciaran conitinued his solid and lively performance and was unlucky not to notch when his header from another corner clipped the top of the jam jar.
We did get our 2nd when another set piece culiminated with Si drifting in a ball from the right, Alex again causing mayhem in the box as the ball hit the bar and Giles followed up with a tap in - nice sniffing mate - you remind me more and more of gary lineker each week!
Autopaints brought on a young kiddy who was a tremendous player on the right flank which kept spagey busy for the last half hour!
This added some pressure as he brought the game to us and the defence stood firm, with Richie Bell especially putting in a solid performance with a succession of interceptions and solid tackles and defensive headers.
Loft was again as cool as a cucumber as the ball drifted wide from one of their chances and his kicking was good second half.
We worked till the end and tried to add to our tally, with Terry on another day proabbly scoring a few but for weary legs after his trip away and bolt from the airport straight to the game!
All in all we got the job done.
I think we raise our game to the opposition and these were poor most of the game.
I think we would help our cause by playing to a high level whoever we play.
We can control that.
I also think if you are one of the players who are liable to whinge and have a pop at people when we (and I state we because we are a team and individual errors are part and parcel of the game) lose the ball or dont finish a chance, or misplace a pass etc, you should have a word with yourself and not open your mouth at these times.
I saw Giles play on the Sunday for Cobden vs Romelle and he played with a freedom i havent seen on a saturday for a long time.
He scored 2 and one was an absolute screamer.
His movement was very good and confidence sky high.
i asked him why this was after the game and he said it was becasue he knew he wasnt going to get an earful if he didnt produce.
This touches on what we have been trying to work on and change with us for a while - Positivity and losing that negativity.
If we can eradicate the negative vibe and play without fear of being put down for trying our best we will be a much more productive team and enjoy it a lot more I am sure.
See you at training wednesday fellas.