In as much as first forty minutes last week could be described as dynamic this week was lethargic as we struggled to find any consistent rhythm. In recognition of that first half, the same starting eleven was selected except that Martin Millins replaced the unavailable Dave Burren. The opening exchanges were bright and for a while we looked dangerous, however as the half progressed our play became less balanced and more predictable and we started to look as if we were waiting for things to happen rather than making them. Despite the subdued approach we still had the better of the half but failed to make the most of our opportunities. Swan had occasionally threatened on the break and The Chimp needed to make the save of the half from a free header at a corner.
At half time it was stressed that this was a must win game and that there were no rewards without endeavour. To their credit, after a quiet opening few minutes and Coxon having a fit, the team kicked into action and started to play the football they are capable of. The all important first goal came on fifty three minutes, Millsy broke free down the right and hit a great cross to the far post where Gary Manser arrived late to head home. With the pressure finally off we proceeded to move ball well and Millsy capped a good second half performance with another great run and cross for Alun Evans to this time head home at the far post. As if to make matters worse for Swan we then brought Paul Emblem into the fray and it wasn't long before he scored his first goal for the club, placing the ball past the keeper after robbing a defender in the area. He almost added a second shortly after when he turned magnificently in the box and fired just over. The goal of the game though was saved for the last minute when Mark Lester, who was industrious throughout, having replaced the injured Matt Lawrence before half time, picked up the ball from The Chimp and proceeded via a couple of passes to find Emblem out on the right. A neat one two between him and Peter Bukovec found him through to the bye line from where he whipped in a cross that Evans stretched to poke home at the far post.
In the end it was a job well done, it was just a shame that it took the half time break for us rally ourselves. On our day we are capable of beating any side in the division comprehensively, however we do need to install some consistency into our performances to ensure that success follows. We now have just eight league games remaining and if we can successfully negotiate the tougher ones amongst them then we will be in a very strong position. The first of those games begin on Sunday with the trip to the leaders Artois and a win will see us reverse the placings with them.
Team:
L.Baker
M.Wood
M.Boorman
N. Coxon
A.Lindsey
R. Perkins
M.Lawrence
G. Manser
D. McGahan
A. Evans
M. Millins
Subs:
M. Lester (for Lawrence)
P. Emblem (for Millins)
P. Bukovec (for Perkins)
L. Gent
I. Ward