With the first 2 points in the bag and the pressure off we came out for the second period looking to increase our stranglehold on the game with a revised 3-5-2 formation - Kyle took the instructions too literally.
Lee started and Sam was withdrawn to protect himself and his groin - its not the first time that Sam (and probably all the rest of the squad) have tried to play through an injury and he deserves credit for his determination. He's done his bit and can have a decent break now to recover ahead of the close season - 2 games and 7 days and we will be joining him.
With Kim playing much deeper he gave us a platform for much longer periods of ball possession and although much of this was in the midfield third it took the pressure off us physically and forced Sharp to chase the game. Within 10 minutes a period of such possession saw Kim release Jack into space and Jack delivered another crutial goal slotting clinically home. The lead relaxed us and within 5 minutes Dan drove into the box and (somehow!) fired a straight shot past the 'keeper to set us on the home straight.
Rather than push on and really dominate we went into a 20 minute period where we were back to the playground with players firing shots from ridiculous areas ignoring simple better options, frustrating and discouraging more disciplined team mates. At times we turned in on ourselves entering into squabbles and committing petty fouls in all the wrong places at all the wrong times.
With less than 10 minutes remaining we focussed just long enough for a lovely sweeping team move involving 6 players to be rounded off by a Jack/Kim "one-two" with Kim getting to the ball a toe-nail ahead of the 'keeper to make it 3-0.
Unfortunately we immediately reverted to park football, pouring forward and ignoring any sort of shape. Ryan was left exposed and caught one on two. Although he recovered to come out on top, a stumble saw them steal the ball - a measure of our final loss of shape was that we had no covering player and they were able to cover 25 yards on a flank without challenge to slot home from a tight angle. The loss of a clean sheet was poor reward for Gary and a hard working back three and just took the dairy off the result which was compounded by another moment of madness from Kyle - this could have been disasterous for him and the team but for the generosity of the referee. For the second time in two weeks we have a referee to thank - but lets not push our luck again.
We are a team of great individual flair and collective talent. We only need to nick a point to secure the title but on Thursday lets do it the right way by playing simple, stylish, committed football and by winning the game emphatically.
Our MOM for this one was Lee - he gave us a bit of composure and time on the ball in the final third and linked intelligently during this crutial phase of the game
