The UNITS welcomed unbeaten Taverners to Brown Westhead for their first home game of the season
We welcomed back club captain Paul Taylor into the ranks but alas lost Ginge (work) Brownie (injured) and added Barney to the bench despite not yet being 100% fit
We lined up with Mala, Keith, Chinner, Kie, Eggy, Taylor, Baker, Ashton, Coco, Pountney, Hunter (c)
Subs Turner, Brownie, Barney, Ross & Radman
Taverners have so far recorded two fine wins so came into the game full of confidence but it was the UNITS who went on to dominate the opening 45 minutes
From the off we passed the ball very well and seemed patient in our build up play, both sides were trying to play through midfield but it was the UNITS who were sharper & slicker all over the park as we totally took the game to Taverners who offered little in return
From one slick move Hunter turned his man in the box and fired over from 10 yards, from a Taylor throw it was Hunter again who headed goalwards only to see the ball cleared off the line by the defender and the ball falling gratefully into the keepers arms
Ashton had a low shot saved and Pountney put a wicked ball across the 6 yard box which was crying out for a touch but we couldn't convert the possession into goals
Taverners despite some nice passing at times had created nothing of note so it was a major disappointment when from a softly conceded free kick on the half hour mark we switched off and let their forward have a free run on the back stick and from a tight angle he with half luck/half judgement managed to guide the ball over Mala to give Taverners an undeserved lead
Taverners then perked up and played well for the next 5 minutes without creating anything of note but the UNITS got back on level terms on 40 minutes when Hunter expertly guided a forward ball to the on-rushing Ashton who steadied himself before slotting past the keeper from just inside the box
HT 1-1
It was difficult to be critical at HT as we had dominated possession and been the side more likely in the opening 45, only a lack of concentration for their goal and a lack of the rub of the green at the other end had stopped us from being a couple of goals to the good
We expected Taverners to raise the bar in the 2nd half and they did alas the UNITS didn't seem to heed the warning and the game was now more even
With both sides playing the same formation chances were at a premium. UNITS threatened when Taverners failed to clear a corner and at the other end one good run from their striker resulted in a tame shot wide
On 60 minutes Cuzer made a positive substitution to try and win the game, replacing Taylor with Turner and changing shape. Alas, the pattern of the half remained, Taverners edging possession but no clear chances at either end
Taverners should have had a penalty when a hand ball was missed yet at the other end a poor punch from their keeper was guided goalwards by Pountney only for a foul to be given despite the challenge on the keeper coming from their player
Ross replaced Coco as we pushed for the winner but we were hit by a sucker punch with 10 remaining when Ashton was caught in possession and when getting back he blocked the initial shot only for the ball to fall for their substitute who hit a screamer from 25 yards which whistled into the corner of the net
Shortly after Barney replaced a fatigued Ashton yet the UNITS couldn't force the equaliser, one superb ball from Pountney was inches away from a waiting Turner & Hunter as the ball was nicked away form them from the covering centre half
The players reaction at the end told us everything, on a hot day we had put a good shift in, bossed 60% of the game but couldn't make that count against a side we would certainly consider our equal
Man of the match went to Paul Taylor who did really well for his hour on his return to the UNITS starting line up
Next up we travel to Dudley Sports and we need to get back to winning ways
