Again this week our performance improved, but it was still not quiet enough to take anything from the game.
We started brightly and after 5 mins and went 1-0 up when Dan Hesmer scrambled the ball home from close range. The game then settled down, into an even contest with their main threat looking like the ball in behind us, as we were holding a very high line. This is how their equalizer arrived as they broke the offside trap, and were 1 on 1 with Liam Baker. Their forward rounded Liam, and as he made a last ditch dive to rescue the situation, he clipped the forwards ankles, who went down. Penalty coverted 1-1.
They continued to look dangerous with the ball in behind us, which I thought we could sort at half time, as we were still causing them problems ourselves. 44mins gone and a floated ball into the box, stretched Liam to his max as he only managed to tip it onto the bar. It rebounded out to their forward, who smashed it goal bound. The ball however struck Marc Wood on the arm. Marc was Sent off and they converted the penalty. 2-1 at Half time.
The 2nd half we played with 1 up, and it wasn't until 20mins to go they scored, once again a mix up in defence. We continued to battle though and scored very late on, when Debutant Lee Gunning neatly slid the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Despite the defeat, against a very good footballing side, our attitude was superb,( apart from the odd spat, which I will eradicate from the team,) and if we continue to show this determination the results will definitely arrive.
Positives to take from the game were, Debutant Ollie Allman looked comfortable at this level, Dan Hesmer was outstanding as were other individuals who upped their performances. Aus returned to the side and worked tirelessly. But the main plus was our attitude, Keep it up and it will happen for us.
Squad
L Baker
N Sargent
A. James
D Hymers
B Turner
M Wood
M Brown,
D. Hesmer
O. Allman
C Ells
A Tasker
L. Gunning
R. James