12/09/10: The Victory Club (0) v (3) SR Dons FC
Scorers: None
Team: Swan (GK), Mountford, Rodgers, Bunyan, M. Dryden, Hunter, Lamb (c), Jackson (Robson), Hudson (S. Dryden), Harding (White), Smiles
Unused Subs: None
Yellows: None
Reds: None
A below par Victory Club slumped to their first loss of the season as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 at home by SR Dons. The men in red had only themselves to blame after turning in a lacklustre performance which sent a clearly fuming George Ross’ blood pressure through the roof.
Ross once again played the role of ‘tinkerman’ as he switched back to a 4-5-1 formation despite the 4-4-2 set up proving successful against Billingham. Alex Rodgers, Steve Jackson, Nathan Hudson and Peter Harding were all handed starting places with Greg Davison, Steve Dryden, Stephen Robson and Alan Tench missing out. The absence of Davison, who is understood to be on a scouting mission in Morocco, saw Graham Lamb take over the captaincy role.
The Victory found themselves on the back foot from the off and were lucky not to fall behind inside the first couple of minutes, but thankfully, a Dons player was just unable to get on the end of a cross into the box. Moments later and Swan was called into action for the first time when he made a superb save diving to his left to tip a shot round the post at full stretch. The Victory responded by going close themselves. A cross from the left from Peter Harding found James Smiles in the six yard box and his first time shot forced an excellent reaction save from the Dons keeper.
SR Dons almost went ahead as the game reached the midway point of the opening period. An SR Dons player was put clear by a well weighted through ball but Swan was quickly off his line to smother the ball at the striker’s feet. The ball ran loose to another Dons player who hit a shot goal wards but Swan showed great reflexes to tip the follow up onto his left hand post. The danger still wasn’t over, as the ball rebounded off the post to yet another Dons attacker but once again Swan was at his best, this time saving a fiercely struck shot, which was destined to nestle in his near post. Incredibly, after that passage of play, the ball hadn’t gone in and the scores remained level but the Victory knew that only because of Swan’s brilliance in goal.
SR Dons continued apply the pressure and it needed no expert to see that the Victory were well and truly under the cosh. A right wing cross beat everyone but cannoned back off the crossbar and from a later corner, Hudson was well placed to head an effort off the goal line.
As half time approached, the Victory almost took an undeserved lead against the run of play but Harding’s free kick went narrowly wide of the left hand upright.
Despite SR Dons dominance in the first half the score remained goalless at the break – the fourth match in a row for the men in red that the score line has been scoreless at the interval. George Ross was livid at what he had witnessed in the opening forty five minutes but instead of opting for some words of encouragement and tactical advice he decided to give his troops the hairdryer treatment.
Ross’ blast seemed to have no effect as the Victory continued to play sluggishly and it seemed a question of when not if SR Dons would take the lead. That question was answered ten minutes into the second half as finally SR Dons pressure paid off as they went ahead. The Victory were guilty of overplaying with the ball in the centre of midfield, lost possession and then allowed a Dons midfielder to advance goal wards. He took aim and fired from around 25 yards out. On its way goal wards the shot hit Alex Rodgers and this took it out of Swan’s reach and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Ross responded by bringing on Stephen Robson and Steve Dryden for Nathan Hudson and Steve Jackson as he sought to bring fresh energy and impetus to what had been a lethargic looking Victory outfit.
The changes almost had instant success as with his first touch Robson got his head to Mark Dryden’s free kick but his glancing header flew over the top of the Dons goal.
As the game ticked into its final quarter, SR Dons all but sealed the points as they scored for a second time to double their advantage. A shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Paul Bunyan but the ball ballooned up into the air. The impressive, Swan, came out to catch the loose ball but under pressure from an SR Dons, fumbled it and the Dons player managed to scramble the ball home from close range.
With fifteen minutes remaining, SR Dons almost made it 3-0, however, on this occasion, Rodgers was alive to the danger and made a fine recovery challenge to divert the ball away from the striker and out for a corner.
The reprieve was only short lived though, as with six minutes left, SR Dons did go three up. Once again it was a shot from distance and once again the Dons player was not closed down quickly enough. This time the shot went through a crowd of bodies, being helped on its way by one of the Don’s forwards, past a helpless Swan and into the corner. It was at this point that Ross and the few Victory supporters decided they had seen enough and streamed for the exits to make an early departure for home – although a trip to the pub was probably needed more after witnessing that!
Back in the club after the game, the Victory encountered Ross sat deep in thought with his pint of Fosters but with steam visibly coming out of his ears. The players will no doubt have been expecting another verbal volley from their manager but on this occasion he decided that the silent treatment was the way forward as he totally ignored everyone. Next week sees the Victory up against TEF Workingmens Club knowing that an improved performance is a necessity if they want to put the disappointment of this first loss of the season behind them.
