After the rain started to come down before kick off, i thought it was gonna continue all afternoon but we had the first slice of luck for the season as it started to dry up.
Second bit of luck for the day was that Ciaran 'Yellow Card' Finley arrived with the kit, all be it 15 minutes late....... better late than never mate!
During our warm up, Constant Service came jogging over in a lovely Argentina replica kit. Pity ours was is also white with blue as well. Made it pretty difficult to spot who was onour side judging by the passing that took place during the first half. I reckon the pass completion % was about 5%.
But we got underway and started to apply pressure in the usual way when we play 4-5-1, down the flanks and long..... It took Longy 2 or 3 kicks before he adjusted to the wind but it seemed to take Greenwood, Coyney (Jeff Kenna) and Joel Leigh a little longer. Giles and Finley were pushed too far forward at times to support Loft who was the Lone Ranger up front.
Pagey was constantly making himself an option and was wanting the ball which was good to see. The back 4 didn't squeeze up quick enough at times though and that almost cost us as their direct ball forward caught us out time and again leaving Longy to come out and sweep on 2 or 3 occasions.
Andy made some great recovery challenges but to be honest we should never have been in those situations like we were. A little more composure on the ball and some application of common sense when selecting your passes and we would have been working hard in the oppositions half rather than our own.
The most notable moment was when Giles went through on goal at the back post chasing a pass (not sure who from - feel free to add some comments) and got pulled back and the peno was given. Greenwood was given the nod from Longy but the target was missed. I'm sure that is 3 missed pens, NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
A welcome break after 45 mins as it became a bit of a stale mate. I stand by what I said about bringing players off if I had the subs there.... The reason for that was Finley wasn't putting the effort in and looked like he wasn't interested unless it was on a plate, Joel Leigh showed that he was carrying a knock as he didn't get involved enough, Pad was caught too tight on their striker time and time again and Greenwood wasn't finding a white shirt (unless it was worn by Constant Service).
Second half under way and with the wind they pumped the ball longer and longer, we dealt with it and looked tidy. Barrett arrived and replaced the injured and out of sorts Joel. THis led to us playing a flat 4-4-2, the back 5 staying the same, Barrett on the left and Finley on the right and Giles moving up front to support Loft.
We worked hard, pressured the ball in the right areas and looked like a team all of a sudden. It was much more enjoyable to watch, from a basics perspective. Toes being done on the defensive throws EVERYTIME, walls being organised, Loft making the right decision when to flick on or hold the ball up, Pad when to get touch tight and when to drop off. It was brilliant.
Longy, who's distribution was top notch today, pinged a ball down the right channel and Giles, from the left wing, turned on the turbo and made a cross field run, past 3 defenders and latched on to the ball. He took the ball into the box, looked up and ignored the 3 supporting players at the back post, and smashed the ball goalwards. It hit the bar, the keeper and then the back post...... but ended up in the back of the net, get in!! An awazing strike, but as Pagey pointed out in the Neville (maybe our new home??) if he missed, he would have killed him!
The game changed instantly, nothing to do with Barrett (OK maybe a little bit).... Pagey came right into the game, Pad dominated the forward that got the better of him in the first half, Rich and Andy were calm under pressure. Finley played himself into the game too and we looked more complete.
Barrett and Giles tore them apart with pace and direct running. It was a good blend with Loft picking the ball up short and wining some vital headers. It felt like the game partly by passed the centre midfielders for 20 mins in the middle of the half, but again Coyney and Greenwood done enough and were mobile which helped us out.
Pagey with a deadly centre and a crucial touch from Loft left the ball at Giles' feet to make it 2-0. Could it be magic now???? Hell Yeah, another tidy finish past the helpless keeper and we were well and truly on our way. 5 minutes later, Pagey with a short pass to Barrett set him on his way, pace and skill took him past 3 players to the byeline, he pulled the ball back to Giles to complete his hat trick but an unbelieveable save from the keeper, diving to his left, kept it at 2-0 and still squeky bum time for the 'Stats'.
They were pressuring us with long throws that Longy dealt with, free kicks that they couldn't really test us with really. Finley booked for kicking the ball away as well (naughty naughty).
Then, a rash challenge from Greenwood that was a definite peno gave them a glimmer of hope. Wurzel Gummidge slotted it in the corner with Longy guessing the right way, he definitely deserved his first clean sheet of the season.
But when the ref's whistle blew, the cheers went up. Our first 'double' of the season. Well worked lads, a very good second half display. Not attractive football all the time but we worked hard.
To wrap up:
Longy - Great distribution, aerially solid but needs to be more vocal at times
Pagey - Good to have you back and positioning and choice of pass was good
Pad - Need to learn when to be tight (ooh err). Great second half display
Patterson - Solid and calm. Ruffled the strikers feathers, loved it!
Rich - Worked hard even though not feeling 100%. Cheers Fella
Giles - Second half was different class. 2 more notches, yr catching up with Loft
Coyney - Biggest bollocks i've ever seen. Pushed hard for the decisive pass
Greenwood - Not your day today. Head up after the missed pen. Need to be on free kicks
Joel L - Been out for a long time but ran hard for an hour
Finley - Non existent first half. Second half work rate was great, extend it to 90!
Loft - Tireless movement and good in the air. Second half strikes were good to see
Barrett - Mouthy and cocky, with all the skill to back it up, need to release the ball earlier at times
Sorry for the lengthy write up, it has been a long time.
Peace and all my love
The Long Man
