The UNITS took on SR this morning, despite a poor start by their standards we expected a tough game as we always have when we take them on. A few late injuries and absentees meant Cuzer only had 14 at his disposal this morning as we lined up: Tom, DJ, Taylor (c) Millette, Gilo, Acer, Baker, Jim, Coco, Ashton and Seeks. Subs were Trigger, Si and Chinner.
Cuzer did ask the boys for a quick start and it doesn't get much quicker than a goal after 11 seconds! From the kick off the ball back to the centre half was sloppy and Seeks nipped in, beat two challenges before rifling past the keeper into the bottom corner to open his UNITS account 1-0. We were well on top and it could and should have been more in the opening salvo as Seeks, Ashton and Acer all had attempts on goal. However on 8 minutes some shabby defending let SR back in the game, they won a free kick 40 yards out and floated a diagonal ball to the back stick, Gilo was left isolated against their centre half that looped a header over Tom from 10 yards out, from nowhere 1-1. Within 2 minutes we were in front again after Acer flicked on for Seeks to accelerate away from the SR backline and finish from 15 yards to make it 2-1. However once again we let SR back in the game when from another free kick we failed to pick up the right men and as the ball was knocked down it was poked home off the post to make it 2-2
Amazingly on 25 minutes it was 3-2 UNITS with a lovely team goal, Jim did well in midfield, playing the ball to Ashton who flicked a ball through to Seeks to slam home a superb volley and complete his hat trick. Every time we went forward we looked like we were going to score but at the other end of the pitch the excellent defensive work of the previous 2 weeks seemed to be forgotten as we were way too lethargic and it really was anybody’s game to grab the initiative. Jim then headed over from 10 yards from a great Gilo cross then Acer sliced wide of the near post as the UNITS looked to find a cushion. On 40 minutes though the gift which was the UNITS backline kept on giving, this time Tom tried to throw the ball out quickly however threw the ball straight to the SR midfielder who took a touch before lifting the ball over the now back peddling keeper into the empty net as we came in half time level.
HT UNITS 3 v 3 SR
A few words flew around at half time, the standards we had set at the back had gone from the previous 2 weeks and we needed to get back to those levels as we had shown we had way too much for SR going forward. The 2nd half started quite even, Seeks got away again however the SR keeper made a fine save from Seeks low drive. The UNITS got back in front on the hour mark with a wonder goal from our own Dani Alves DJ. Picking the ball up deep inside his own half he carried the ball forward, skipped past two men in midfield and drove towards the SR box, with UNITS either side of him opening up the SR backline he dummied past one challenge and drove into the box before firing the ball home into the bottom corner for a superb solo goal. This settled the UNITS down a bit and credit to the UNITS back line as we were now defending much better in the 2nd half and the improved communication was a big factor in this as we got back to a level more a kin to the opening two weeks. We were still doing all the pressing with SR playing on the break, Coco had a couple of good opportunities firing high and wide and testing the keeper with a low shot when he could have done a little better. Jim then slipped Acer through on goal but he couldn't get the ball out of his feet and poked wide from inside the box.
Trigger then replaced Acer with 25 left, Acer doing well on his first full start of the season. Excellent work from Baker got the UNITS the cushion our 2nd half performance deserved when he won two challenges in the midfield and raced away down the UNITS left before he whipped in a low cross which Seekings controlled and stroked home from 8 yards out to put the UNITS 5-3 to the good, Baker's new high viz boots paying dividends with their first outing. On 70 minutes Jim took a nasty knock on the ankle and was replaced by Si for his first action of the season then Chinner replaced Coco as the UNITS were comfortable to hang on to their two goal cushion. The UNITS almost added more, Trigger doing well down the right stung the palms of the keeper from 20 yards and Ashton had two shots blocked in the box as we looked like adding more goals. Alas on 75 minutes it was back to game on as SR did well down our right, whipped in a cross and their lad poked goal wards only for Tom to spill the ball through his hands and into the back of the net. It really would have been a travesty should the UNITS not have won the game and thankfully a few minutes later the UNITS closed the game out when Gilo did well down the left, passed short to Ashton who again slid in Seeks who raced clear before cooly finishing past the SR keeper to wrap up a 6-4 win for the UNITS.
All in all a good win against a side who still possess some quality individuals, we were a bit sloppy at times and we need to tighten up but going forward we once more looked very threatening.
Man of the match was no surprise as Seeks scored 5 and murdered the SR back line all morning.
