Despite the big pitch we elected to start on the front foot with Dan as the sole holding player. This allowed us to put early pressure on their well drilled back four and during the first period much of the play was focussed in their half. Around the 15 minute mark Ollies corner was flicked on by Kim's head and Darryl headed home emphatically at the far post. Kim and Darryl bossed the central area but it was Darryls hard pressing that forced an error and he chipped the 'keeper from the edge of the 18 yard box to make it 2 - 0 within 20 mins.
Sawbo eventually worked out our system and targetted ariel balls between Dan and Chippy. Normally this is bread and butter to Chippy but he decided to make a full pudding of things by allowing the ball to bounce - both times resulting in Kyle being left 1 on 1 with no chance and Sawbo were back in the game at 2-2. We responded quickly and in one of our few fluid passages of play the ball was worked down the left and Kim's pinpoint cross was met by Glen with a good header to open his account and restore our lead at 3-2.
With 10 minutes of the half remaining and with us struggling to find any real rhythm to our play we reshuffled the pack withdrawing Neil to sit alongside Dan leaving Glen on his own up front. This gave us a much more solid shape and we comfortably saw out the half.
For the second period we made 3 changes, Dan made way for Sam allowing Glen to withdraw to partner Neil leaving Sam solo up front, Steve made way for Lee and Bill came on for Joel 5-10 minutes into the restart. Kim was instructed to play virtually in his original position giving us a compact variation on 3-5-2. which gave us a 3-5-1-1 shape with 2 holding midfielders. The disadvantage is that we looked narrow in possession and never really got behind their fullbacks so Olli and Lee were forced to come inside to pick up possession. The big plus though is that we became difficult to break down - hence the clean sheet in the 2nd half - and we had more options in possession without going long.
In the second half we created several clear cut openings - Sam snatched at one too soon not realising he was clear 1 on 1, Lee forced the error but failed to put enough on his resulting shot and Sam fluffed his close range follow up attempt. THere were other openings and some marginal offside decisions went against us at crutial times.
It wasn't a pretty game to watch. A young Sawbo were up for the game in every way and they caught us on a day when too many players put in average performances. It looked as though we were waiting to lose our unbeaten streak. We were poor at times in both our decision making and our ution and our communication and understanding across the pitch went AWOL. We have to rediscover a little more of our past form and commitment all over the park. They say that the key to success and the sign of a good side is to win when not playing well - we certainly didnt play well but we won - i guess that makes us a good side!
There were plenty of positives, for a start we can play much, much better but thats possibly the best Sawbo can do. Joel broke the ice returning to competitive action. He showed glimpses of his old self and will gradually get better - we've to get Chris going the same way next week. Bill was very solid, strong, no-frills when he came on. Glen and Neil did well at both ends of the pitch again. The team spirit was there in Kyle's continuation in goal and our strength in depth on the bench. Darryl put in another strong performance and when Kim sits close by we can dominate the central area.
We are entitled to an off key day - all the better when the result goes our way. Next week we come up against relegated Littlebury. It was 3rd div v 1st div when we had the amazing 1/4 final win last season. They've signed a clutch of the all conquering Radwinter side and will be looking to put one over us next week. Oh yes we love it, The Association.
