It was fitting that we rediscovered our fighting qualities on Remembrance Sunday - I think maybe we should wear the bands every week as part of our kit - whats the opinion on that?.
As early as the second minute a punt from Kyle freed Josh one on one but the chance went begging and a minute later Josh blasted high and wide when, with his quality, he should have done better and in the 8th minute a third chance fell to Josh but the 'keeper tipped over - on another day Josh might have had a hat trick and the game would have been over in the first 10 minutes. As it was, an unusually poor corner from Ollie led to a quick counter in the 11th and Revill made a great near post save showing last weeks game was a distant memory.
In the 15th Olli worked an opening striking a fierce shot which the 'keeper saved well but Sam was sharpest slotting home the loose ball. Saints responded immediately and only a full stretch save by the post from Revill kept them out. Saints followed with a good 10 minute spell pressing down our left and were denied by text book defending from Ryan and Sam in front of him - that defensive discipline and commitment from Sam in that period is what marks out good players and good sides. If that level of commitment and performance can be produced for longer periods across the whole team i will be happy and we will be unbeakable.
In the 22nd minute Revill smothered a low cross but a two footed late challenge resulted in a spilled ball and Saints bagging an equaliser. A referee up with the play would have ruled the goal out and possibly red carded the player - as it was Revill limped out with a melon growing below his knee and a reshuffle followed with Chippy putting on the gloves and Jack, last weeks hat trick hero, returning up top. In the 26th Olli was clear one on one but he blasted over. For a few minutes after the reshuffle Saints tried to wrestle the game from us but in the 42nd minute a whipped freekick from Sam has glanced home by Dazza's greasy mullett for 2-1. We came close to adding to the score line with slick movement between Glen/Josh/Jack and Olli but hit the break at 2-1
We were fired up for the second period and within a minute Joel, Josh, Olli and Jack went end to end with a sweeping move neatly finished by Jack. In the 55th Glen made way for Mark who immediately started a move which ended with a Jack/Sam combo and Sam being denied by the post and Mark was lively a few minutes later but his driven cross was cut out as Sam closed in. Jack was switched wide right as we looked to tie up the game but in the 65th he had enough nous to win a header which put Josh in one on one, again good 'keeping kept him out.
In the last quarter of the game we started to run out of steam as lack of fitness and heavy knocks during the game started to tell. This week though we played with our heads, refusing the temptation to chase another goal in a game which was already ours and we looked much more solid playing with this sort of discipline. At times we perhaps missed opportunities to play in Mark and Jack who continued to find space in wide areas but their running off the ball was effective in occupying Saints players. As Saints became stretched they fouled Sam as he broke on goal, Sam took the resulting penalty which was firmly hit but comfortably saved by a decent Saints 'keeper.
We played with good tempo, commitment and shape for longer periods of the game today so well done. We also played with good discipline during a game which was physical and not particularly strongly refereed. We remain the team everybody wants a piece of so if we are progress and win things again this season we have to be united on and off the field and we have to be even colder in our approach - no arguing and no moaning with the opposition, referee or officials but we will not give an inch given on the pitch, WiNNERS.
The whole team was pretty solid today and everyone could have a mention. Despite the "missed" chances Josh put in a powerful midfield performance, Revill rediscovered his form before the injury, Sam was switched on following the script for the full 90, well done Chippy for going in goal etc etc but Joel just shaved MOM ahead of 12 good team mates.
The kit we wore today (note the socks Joel) is our main kit now. A new white kit will be issued this week. The old striped shirts (but NOT the fat striped socks) and the old white kit (shirt/shorts/socks) are now retired.
