We'd anticipated this being a game of two halves and we set up pretty much with an aggressive 5 and 5 aiming to hit the interval in front and to use the bench in the 2nd period to help condense the play and close out the game.
Unfortunately for the third time in a row we gifted Manuden an early soft opener. Despite this we settled quickly, we had a good shape, good quality and good energy. A wonderful freekick from Ollie levelled the game at 1-1 around the half hour mark. The old saying about being most vunerable when you've just scored was fleshed out within minutes when we passed up half a dozen opportunities to clear our lines and again gifted Manuden a soft goal. Half time came too early for us and not soon enough for Manuden as we'd pretty much controlled the game with a converted set piece - poor return for our first 45 minutes.
A 1-2 scoreline was a cruel reflection on our first 45 forcing us to come out for the second period on the front foot - a big ask with a tight squad many carrying injury but we still felt confident that the game was within reach. Manuden, like us and to their credit, play on the floor. A stretched game is easy to manage with an opposition playing long ball but a different and draining proposition when playing a good footballing side like Manuden and within 10 minutes it was evident that we didnt have enough pace to get in behind and hurt them.
Ben and Kim had put in a very good shifts and around the 60/65 minute marks made way for Neil and Bowles to allow us to work Kyle and Ryan higher up the pitch and to try to exploit the space behind. The gamble was back line pace for top end pace and although this resulted in Chippy and Glen turning in some great tackles and saves we were though creating pressure at the right end. Unfortunately a Manuden counter saw a ball whipped across our 6 yard box elude Chippy and Glen, Bowles though didnt know there was no closing player when he lashed the ball into our net. Manudens smiles were as much about their relief as their good luck at finding themselves 3-1 up.
Against a lesser side we might have still dug out a result but with Manudens fitness and ball retention we were chasing a game in hope rather than belief. Their 4th goal was top drawer and their 5th was predicable. It was still good to see our players not wanting the final whistle until we'd at least scored again.
There were no poor performances on our side, we were good but not great in a game which was allowed to flow for both sides by good officiating from all three officials. Well done Manuden, we've no complaints, they're the new yardstick for the premiership and if we work hard in the next two games we will have another early chance to measure up again against them in our final tilt for silverware - the last 16 of The "Mighty" Yabsley is on us this Sunday when we have to regroup and get past Silver Swifts.
Well done Glen for pulling on the gloves all the way to the final - he didnt let us down. Well done Mark for sitting the game out, its not easy and for Neil n Bowles for coming into the melting pot, thats not easy either - you can all now try to put your stamp on the Yabsley. Well done everybody else, we dont like losing but you all had a good attitude and will be stronger that in this do or die run in to the end of the season.
