Namaste Tigers 0 v 2 TS UNITS
The UNITS traveled to Morgan Matroc to take on mid table Prem outfit Namaste Tigers Once again we were hit by a handful of no shows or more concerning players not even contacting Cuzer to say they would not be there, this coupled with those working, injured or unwell left us with 11 and a late arriving Lewis as we lined up Mozza, Clarkey, Chinner, Jamo, Tonka, Baker, Leon, Coco, Jim, Jay & Trigger Lone sub was Lewis
We were not the only side struggling for bodies as Namaste only had 11 as both sides kicked off under prepared the early play was scrappy with neither side taking control but encouragingly for the UNITS it was clear to see there was nothing to fear from the home side 20 minutes in and neither side had what you would call a clear chance, we were playing OK yet defending well helped no end as for the first time this season Cuzer had two out and out centre halves at the back in Jamo and Tonka who were keeping the dangerous Webo at bay We then had the best chance of the game when Jay was played in by Leon, Jay clean through rounded the keeper but his touch was heavy as he ran the ball out with the goal gaping Coco then cut inside from wide and shot at the keeper from 20 yards who saved comfortably as we had a good 10 minute spell, Baker also tried his luck from range forcing the home keeper to save low at his near post and Jamo went close from the resulting corner heading over We finished the first half well after an even opening 30 minutes and on half time there was uproar as what looked like a delightful opening goal was controversially chalked off Jim who after a quiet start had really grown into the game and he had already demonstrated his fine range of passing before pinging a lovely 40 yard ball which completely dissected the two centre halves and Jay ran through, took the ball delightfully on his chest and lobbed the keeper via the crossbar Firstly the home side lino flagged but it was never offside yet the Ref, somehow, gave handball against Jay despite the ball clearly coming off the upper chest, the home lino then changing his story to say it was handball, either way it was a legitimate goal chalked off as we came in level and we had deserved more
HT Namaste 0 v 0 TS UNITS
Buoyed by the good end to the half the UNITS knew it was a game there to win, a message echoed by Cuzer & Darbs, a little bit more patience on the ball and keeping up the level of quality defending we showed in the 1st half and we gave ourselves a chance
The 2nd half started again with the away side on the front foot, on 55 minutes after a UNITS corner was half cleared Jim hit a 20 yard half volley from the edge of the area which the keeper palmed around the post as we were inches away from the lead All over the park the UNITS were working hard for each other and Jay and Trigger linked well and only a fine saving tackle stopped Trigger getting away clear from Jay's through ball On the hour mark there was more controversy this time against the home team. Tonka made his only slip of the game with the ball evading him as Webo motored towards the box Clarkey pulled him back just outside then slid in from behind in the box, winning the ball but the ref blew up. After much debate from both sets of players and much delay the referee gave a free kick just outside the box for the initial foul saying the tackle in the box was a fair one, the original foul being the decision, the right decision but the home side felt they had a penalty, the free kick after all that came to nothing
Shortly after Lewis replaced Trigger who had put a great shift in for the team, in a like for like swap
Within 5 minutes that elusive and crucial first goal arrived for the UNITS, Coco's original corner was poor but the ball found its way back to him out wide, he crossed low behind most players but Jim picked up the ball and on the half volley slammed the ball home through a crowd of players to give the UNITS the lead
As you can imagine with no wins to our name in the league we retreated into our shell somewhat for the next 10 minutes and the home side had a good spell of pressure but credit to the UNITS back four, especially the two centre halves we defended superbly, dealing with the threat of Webo up top and the diagonal balls Namaste put on us Their best chance came from a set piece when their centre half got half a yard on Leon but could only head over from 8 yards On 80 minutes having weathered the home side's pressure we snatched a 2nd in comical fashion, Coco won the ball in our half and was fouled by the Namaste player, his ball forward was wasteful and the UNITS wanting the ball pulled back for the foul but the referee played on, Jay chased down the centre half who passed back to the keeper only for him to pass the ball to Jay who had closed down the back pass. Jay in shock at having the ball had his initial shot saved, then the follow up blocked by the centre half, he then tried again from the angle only for the keeper to save again before Jay, crashing himself into the post in the process finally forced the ball over the line to give the UNITS a crucial 2 goal cushion
The final 10 minutes were played out in relevant comfort by the UNITS, Mozza handling any long range efforts comfortably and Jay and Lewis causing problems on the break the elusive 1st win for the UNITS was justifiably deserved as we ran out 2-0 winners
Man of the match went to Jim Windridge who after a slow start played really well, scored the opening goal yet his quality long range distribution was at times a joy to behold
Next up UNITS take on league leaders Haden Rangers in a rare home fixture
Mozza 8 Clarkey 9 Tonka 9 Jamo 9 Chinner 8 Baker 8 Leon 8 Coco 8 Jim 9* Jay 8 Trigger 8
Sub Lewis 8
