One late (but at least expected) player withdrawal, two players turning up just 10 minutes before kick off and another complete let down from 'keeper Revil left us with a very last minute re-organisation and a dangerously thin squad of 12 players including 2 working their way back from injury. Well done Darryl for going in goal.
Cobras were first to everything in the early stages. The adrenalin rush that comes with the chance to beat The Association helped them as they competed well in all areas but they lacked the quality to really test us. Power and pace can be a dangerous combination but is easily blunted by footballers who have the first yard in the head.
We set up 3-4-3 trusting our back 3 to read and deal with the Pub Sunday up and under and Steve, Ryan and Kyle screened by Neil always looked in control. By the 10th minute we started to switch up a notch with Pearce/Sam/Olli linking but Pearcey blasted wide. Those 3 continued to create half chances but some spirited defending and good sweeping by the 'keeper prevented chances from developing and kept us out. In the 18th a lovely switch from Pearce to Sam created a shooting opportunity. Sams shot was blocked for a throw in. Bowles duly launched one and Josh converted with a glancing header on the turn - lovely for 1-0.
Five minutes later Olli thought he'd doubled our lead only to be ruled offside! In the 27th Bowles, Pearcey and Olli swept pitch length down the right, Olli's dinked can opener of a pass was begging to be converted but Bowles stole the ball from Pearceys toe and launched it into row Z. In the 29th Steve had a header from a corner well saved and at the other end Slater finally broke through for a 1 on 1 but Darryl kept himself big. A minute later Olli failed to convert from a similar 1 on 1 and we finished the half on the front foot with Sam Heading close from Pearceys cross.
We reverted to 3-5-2 for the second period to give us more ball in the middle and to play on the counter. In the 51st minute Glen made way for Jack and just a minute later with no subs available Steve's knee crumpled when landing from a clearing header. He was carried off with an ice pack on his knee and we re-shaped to a 3-5-1. Five minutes we won a corner on the left, Olli picked up the clearance and went on a dribbly chin run, as they backed off in the box his drilled cut back was returned by Jack and Kyle who was still lurking after the corner hit a lovely nicked volley on the turn - how sweet was that for 2-0. They responded well and Service broke down the right unleashing a fierce drive which Darryl saved in the manner of Grobelaar - al wobbly legs but great reactions.
Steve limped back for the last half hour or so and had enough about him to play in the hole behind Sam. Once or twice his neat work almost worked positions for us. For the last 20 minutes they dug in and kept pressing all over the park. Despite our possession advantage they never folded at the back and they kept coming through the middle. It was a good work out for us and although we were never in any real danger they also never allowed us to fully dominate so although they only created two openings which Darryl was equal to we never created too many real openings either but the two that we did we put to bed well.
On a poor pitch, hot day and fired up opposition this was never likely to be a classic so its good to come away with 2 points, a clean sheet and no injuries. I liked our collective strength and discipline today - well done. We also had a decent pace about us and although we were slightly off key we did keep playing with a decent tempo. Glen and Jack got through a full 45 minutes so its all gravy. Next week's friendly gives us chance to try a few things so lets make the most of it.
Finally, well done Darryl - good attitude backed up by ability and well done Neil, MOM, a really committed, strong and convincing performance at the bottom of the diamond.
