Derby day at Woodside against Atcost. And a welcome, and deserved 3 points for the team.
I fully expected Atcost to pose us more problems than when we played them before Christmas in the cup and won 4-0, but even though their personnel had changed, we were still the better side. In fact it was us who had the selection problems today as we lost the heart of our centre midfield, with Woody and Aus out, and Rob James was ill and could not play a part. However Gary Manser stepped into the midfield and gave his usual, tough, determined and assured performance that everyone has become so used to. Dan McGuire made his 1st start for a while and done ok at right back.
The game itself was a fairly even affair first half, with us on the ascendancy for the first 30 mins, and them coming back into it at the end of the half. It ended 0-0 with no real good chances created. The 2nd half was a better spectacle, with Ellsy looking the most likely to create something, but time and again, his final ball let him down, but his work ethic and desire were still top draw. We reverted back to 4-4-2 as Hymers made way for Ben Brooker, who had earlier scored a Hat-trick for the ressies. This suited us better, but it was Atcost who took the lead. Their winger was allowed to dribble right across our box, turn and finish excellently in the top corner. A very disappointing goal to concede from our point of view. This gave us the shake we possibly needed, as Browny led by example and hassled their centre mid, who were falsed into a back pass, which Alun intercepted. He duly rounded the keeper, and fired home from an angle, but it possibly went in slow mo for him as the ball hit the inside of one post and went in off the other.
We continued to press and go for the win, which arrived as James Philpott raided down the left and produced an excellent cross, for Johnny on the spot, Ben to side foot home. 2-1 and as they pushed for a 2nd we may have had more, but this is how it ended.
A good all round display from the team with some excellent individual performances. However this is the 5th time this season we have had to come from behind to take something from a game. Most of the goals we concede come from our own errors, often through poor ball retention, which is something individually and as a collective we must improve upon.
Well done!!!!
Squad
A Pickworth
N Sargent
M Brown
L Gunning
D McGuire
G Manser
A James
A Evans
C Ells
J Philpott
D Hymers
O Allman
B Brooker
R James