In to the lion’s den of Farnborough Town in their new guise as Hartley Wintney, last season’s Premier League Champions.
With all the injuries and no shows we know we are going there with just 11 players until we are about to depart and its 10 as there is a no show from Sam, Paul runs Burak home to get his kit and its back up to 11.
A rallying team talk is likened to a presidential speech and the Predators leave the dressing room with purpose and focus.
Straight from the kick off its clear to see how Hartley play, passing across the back then move down the wings and as we are playing 4-5-1 we give them time to settle into a rhythm but to be honest early doors they don’t cause too much trouble as they are being snuffed out before they can get down the flanks. Harry and Jack are picking up where they left off last week looking solid in the middle with Jordan looking cool as a cucumber when put under pressure.
Cameron is our lone striker and its a thankless task but he runs his socks off trying to close down, he is ably supported by Max and they create the first chance, ball in to Cameron a turn pass out to Max and he cuts the ball back for Cammy but his snap shot is mistimed.
Max is proving a great outlet and is a constant danger, with Scott sliding balls through for him.
CRASH BANG WALLOP what a brilliant goal, Darren wriggles free from a couple of tackles and unleashes an absolute belter right into the top corner as the keeper is left floundering.
All the team are chasing and closing down and win the ball back with ease but make life difficult for themselves by giving it away far too easily at times. Burak is taken out and it revokes memories of that awful day last March but thank fully he gets to his feet after a minute or so.
Freddie is called into action on a couple of occasions and pulls off one outstanding save to keep the lead intact.
The half time whistle blows and back in the dressing room its clear that the boys are out on their feet having put everything into that first half.
Immediately from kick off Burak tries a shot from 35yards and it is superbly saved by the keeper.
The inevitable onslaught from Hartley at the start of the second half is being pretty much weathered, it might be backs to the wall and not pretty but with Burak struggling, Max with what looks like a pulled Hamstring there is not much else we can do. Amongst all the chaos there is always a light hearted moment when Lol is about and to see this adult prancing about in the far stand says it all about the bloke.
One of those moments when you just want the ground to open up and swallow you up then happens to Jack as he completely air kicks and the striker moves in and calmly slides the ball past Freddie.
Hartley are making more moves down the right flank and Scott is having a torrid time and then a second mistake all the hard work that has gone in looks to be coming undone, as the ball is played through Scott slashes at the ball but it squirts off his leg and straight into the path of the Hartley striker who again gives Freddie no chance with a clinical finish.
Heads are now down and watching the grass grow and its very much backs to the wall as Hartley take control. Darren goes down with cramp in his left leg and all of a sudden all our shape disappears.
Max and Cam are still trying to get something out of the game and they again link down the right but as Max breaks into the box a pull back to Cammy was all that was missing.
Jordan then provides the individual moment of the match when he has a magical run down the wing but just lacks the final ball.
Cammy then takes a heavy knock and crumbles in pain and unfortunately looks like a repeat of his ligament damage that had already kept him out for 3 weeks.
Hartley then take total control with two well taken goals. Darren now goes down with cramp in his right leg, Burak can hardly walk but there is still something left in these boys. Aaron changes sides with Max because he is knackered and wants a rest but he breathes life into the team, with his lungs bursting he gives chase, wins the ball and puts over a perfect cross for Max to head in.
Is there something in this game yet? Maybe if only we could bury the corners and free kicks we earn in the last couple of minutes. From the ashes of defeat will always come a positive, the battle in the first half was exceptional and if we had had just the one sub then the result would have been different, Max looks sharp, fast and has an eye for goal, Jordan looks better each week, the Beast is reborn, the Haslet keeps improving. All good methinks.
