End of Cups run ….. But great debut for the new BENCH …..

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Bucks, Joey, Louis, Saul, Connor, Jed, Reynolds, Morris, Gabe, Theo and Joel. We lost our Captain Morgan to a late fitness test before the game (Man-Flu).

This was a team relegated from the Top division last year, so one above us now, so every seemed a little nervous however you settled very quickly and was very much in the game. However with Five minutes gone we let there turn on the edge of the area , everyone backed off and he played a simple through ball to striker who was clean though 1.0 Cannot give players that sort of space at this level.

Again we kept going a couple very dubious lines man decision were given against us, a couple times the man who got the ball was on side and the linesman still flagged for a different player. Fifteen minutes later probably there second attack again we didn’t track back, got caught out of position 2.0

Still i thought we looked a good side against and finally it showed. some good work in the middle and Morris out muscled the defender and made it 2.1 a good goal and back in the game.

However the referee had a different idea and almost straight from the kick off a ball is played and a penalty is awarded against Tom which i thought could of easily been our free kick. Frankie no chance 3.1

The last ten minutes we pulled ourselves back into the game. Jack and Tom began to control the back, Saul was sweeping well upfront, Joey was creating opportunities and Gabe was working hard coming on as sub. It was from one of these that Gabe broke free and smashed the ball into the back of the net a really fantastic goal 3.2

Last five and i felt they were holding on but could not get the goal that i felt your first half performance deserved 3.2 HT

Second half started well again, Gabe had a early chance that went wide and a couple of times we looked to break through the back four. Once we agin though we got done giving the ball away too cheaply. We had a couple of chances to play the forward just inside there half but we tried to beat too many players. They broke down our right, switch it to the left and then it came back over again, Theo tripped the forward in the box penalty. They scored but were made to re-take as Jack went into the box (another strange decision) the retook penalty still scored but Frankie almost got a hand to it.4.2 To compound everything Theo got a Yellow card for the tackle!

Unfortunately your heads did drop for a moment and i think two minutes later it 5.2 after a fluky goal not even sure how it went in

Nick rang the changes and pushed it back to 4.4.2 and it almost paid dividends straight away. The ball got fed out to Reynolds and he ran into the box with it. For me it was a penalty and would swung momentum again but referee waved it away (another strange decision) Now we had a lot more in attack but at the same time open to the counter. It was from a counter they made it 6.2

Last ten minutes you still tried which was excellent to see. We created a few chance and best was a ball from Saul into Jed whose left foot Cross shot just alluded Morris at the far post. 6.2 FT

Personally i don’t think the score reflected the match, it was mush closer than it shows, in another day and a different circumstances i believe you would win.

MoTM First just gonna say was pleased with everyones performance and attitude in trying circumstances. Players to note Jack- Played well in an unfamiliar center half position. Joey lots of effort and looked really dangerous going forward in the first half from wing back but today it went to Tom, marshaled a new defense well tried to keep pushing the team forward with every opportunity and even had a couple really good free kicks. Well done.

Right so its now back to the league and i want to see the same commitment, you all being vocal and team work i have done for the last two weeks.

Training on Tuesday please bring the correct boots & Shin pads!!!