A confident Midland FC were happy to start the game early but ended up hoping it would finish even earlier.
We didnt start too brightly. As early as the second minute Sam scuffed a cross with three players attacking the box and at the other end in the fourth minute Bill was caught wrong side and was fortunate to recover his position. Both players repeated the same errors during the game but both typified the resiliance in our side by keeping their heads and continuing to play with composure. The same was true of Neil and Kyle operating in wide areas. Both struggled to find their real touch, both failed to capitalise on openings but both kept playing with strength and discipline.
We squandered enough chances to have buried this side in the first 20 minutes. We never let this frustrate us. Prompted by Joel, Darryl and Bowles we continued to play some neat football. The beakthrough came in the 25th minute when Pearcey's corner was headed home at the back post by Darryl. This should have settled us but we still had moments of indecision at both ends. Steve, Joel and Pearce over-playing in dangerous areas and Kyle, Sam, Pearce and Neil failing to test the 'keeper from good positions.
With just a one goal deficit they came out for the second period much more aggressively and forced a point blank save from Revill. By the 50th minute they were gifted an equaliser when Steve's wild swipe looped over Revill. We responded well but again Neil and Kyle couldnt quite finish the openings carved by Bowles and Sam. In the 60th minute a pulsating move down the left saw bowlsey drive a cross into the 6 yard box and this time Neil was fully focussed as he hit a measured shot on the turn. That piece of quality approach play and quality finish finally settled our nerves.
Neil made way for George who lasted for just 5 minutes before suffering a recurrance of the knee injury which side-lined him for last season - he probably needs the same sort of surgery that helped Jack recover quickly and it was Jack returning to action after ankle ligament problems who replaced him. A nine pass move was brought to an end after a foul about 20 yards out just as Bowles was closing on goal. Pearce stepped up and drilled the free kick over the wall and 'keeper but under the bar to give us a two goal cushion at 3-1 with about 25 to go.
In the 70th minute a tin opener dribble by Sam created a sweet opening for Darryl to bag his second from 10 yards out and make the game safe. Kim came on for the last 10 or 15 minutes - he looked like he was playing in high heels but it was good to see both him and Jack on the way back. We came close to extending the lead when for only the second time in the game (Bowles did it earlier in the half) Jack split the full back and centre back with a drilled pass into space setting Sam clear but the 'keeper came out on top of the 1 on 1.
There were some very good parts to our game today, in particular concentration and discipline. At times we looked set to allow decisions to upset our rhythm but we pulled back from confrontations letting our football do the talking. All over the pitch we made mistakes but we never allowed those mistakes to undermine our individual and team confidence. We were eventually rewarded for our discipline and football with 4 goals. We all know that it could and should have been more - we will become more ruthless as the seasons wears on. Most of the openings/missed chances were created by ourselves from open play, from our movement on and off the ball - this is the way to play and we will start to destroy teams with our strength and quality.
We were solid all over the park from back to front, right to left, but today the engine room of the side was where the game was won, Darryl and Bowles were very strong, too strong for the opposition, behind them Joel put in a magnificent performance and he rightly edged MOM.
Next week its Cobras in the league. We're the scalp everybody wants. Forget all the facebook banter and concentrate on the football - its what we do best. Its just another game which we will win ONLY if we prepare and play properly.
