We are on the road today with a short trip to Farnham for the first chance of redemption against Bourne Blades who had a lucky victory in a pre-season friendly.
With it being FIFA 13 launch week we should have known what was to come today and also the petulance during the warm up reinforced this.
We started slowly, lacking energy and desire and in the early stages are were second best especially in midfield where we are missing tackles and not challenging for the ball. A smart save fom Freddie keeps Bourne out and a couple of last gasp tackles by H keeps it nil all.
Cameron back from ankle injury and Max making his Predators debut are starting to cause a few problems to Bourne but with the balls mainly in the air these two midgets are no match for the 6 foot plus defenders. Max has his first sight of goal and knocks it wide, Darren smashes one back down the A331 and Cameron creates a bit of room but it sticks high wide and handsome.
Bournes threat is clearly their pacey number 10 and its he that gets the opening goal with a break and a good finish under the outcoming Freddie.
Heads down and looking at the grass grow we continue to be second best until Sam has an inpirational 5 minute spell when he starts to run at the left back and panic sets in in the Bourne defence, ending in the leveler after a great ball from Scott is first smashed at the keeper by Max then slotted home by Sam.
This is the spark and away we go, on the front foot, passing and winnining the tackles.
The Haslett puts us 2-1 up as he prods the ball in past the out stretched keeper.
Sam nearly makes it 3 but for a fantastic save by the keeper. All the effort Sam put in takes it toll and has to come off just before half time to go puke his guts up.
Half time and a few strong words are needed.
Total different attitude from the boys in the second half, Challenges are being made, balls are being won and second ball challenges being made.
The will to win was back and what a difference it makes to the performance, suddenly Darren is running the midfield with great support from Scott in the middle.
Steve and Sam are now swapping every ten minutes as both are struggling but are an inspiration.
Jack is having his best game for a long time and breaks everything up going in where it hurts.
Max misses a sitter after a fantastic run and chip across the goal by Haslett. Darren smashes a free kick against the foot of the post, the boys take the late challenges on the chin and just get up and get on with it.
The twins are actually working together and its nice to see them both in the corner giving it large for the cause.
Jordan picks up a yellow card for gobbing off to the linesman, the clock runs down, and the last 2 and a half minutes actually take 6.
A good win, well deserved after the opening 25 minutes
Got to mention kevin Leggitt the referee, the game needs characters and he definately is one, has a crack takes the abuse as its meant, in good humour and doesnt get much wrong at the end of the day
