With the worst disciplnary record in the league and a year-end Letter of Concern from the League's Chairman we are being monitored to ensure we implement our Code of Coduct. Chippy's yellow last week for a two footed lunge saw him sidelined for the first half this week. Everyone needs to keep this in mind, Dissent and/or Serious Foul Play will mean missing games including semis and finals.
Our discipline and conduct was top notch this week with Bentfields incurring 4 yellows to our none. This wasn't a vintage display but at this stage of the season we only need to win and that's what we did. There isn't a better team in any division than The Association when it comes to digging out a "W" - in fact there isn't a better TEAM fullstop.
It took us while to settle and find any rhythm. As early as the 1st minute Kyle ignored Joel's call but Revill was there to sweep up and he did this well from the 1st to the 90th. In the 5th minute Kim still hadn't warmed up as a six pass move ground to a halt as he was too slow moving the ball on - must have been the XXL cycling shorts restricting his movement. In the 10th a fierce freekick from Jack was kept out by a full stretch save but two minutes later he struck too early from too far when he might have worked the 'keeper. A minute later Jack slipped in Sam who beat the 'keeper but was denied by the post.
In the 17th a trademark call from Bowles for a ball he couldn't reach in our penalty area almost gifted them an equaliser but a quick clearance lead to a handball on the edge of their 18 yard box which Olli struck with the right mix of power and placement to beat a good 'keeper. Josh had been pretty quiet until this period but a series of powerful interceptions and runs culminated in Kim being released 1 on 1 but the 'keeper did well to deny his close range effort. Within a minute Jack and Sam worked a lovely opening for Ollie who coolly beat the last defender and finished with a close range header.
In the 30th Josh surged into the box and when a simple cutback to unmarked Jack would surely have lead to a goal instead the ball was blazed across the 6 yard box and out for a far side throw.With a 3-0 lead, dominating the game and stroking the ball about and with less than 5 to go to the interval Josh madeway for Neil. Within a minute we conceded a corner, Kyle did well with a glancing headed clearance but we failed miserably to deal with the second ball to gift them a soft goal and a way back into the game.
We reorganised for the second period but too many players lost concentration and failed to ute the half time instructions confusing playing on the break with playing up and under long balls and confusing playing with a compact shape with playing at a walking pace. The second half was littered with poor play and although they converted a direct free kick to bring the score back to 3-2 we never looked like conceding further but we also never really settled into any real pattern of play. The highlight of the second half was a left sided break from Chippy and Ryan which was full of power and pace - Ryan's fierce drive was too hot for their 'keeper and Ollie was on hand to convert the loose ball, to finish his hat trick and to finish all hopes of a Bentfield recovery as well their season.
We did what we had to do to ensure that we progress to the league cup semi final with 2 group games in hand - very good. We can now turn our attention to the important matter of the defence of our Bert Yabsley Trophy when we meet The Bricklayers Arms in Round 2 next week. We will need to be much better next week and in the weeks ahead and we will be.
