Another one of those Sunday mornings that are hard to sum up. We played some good, confident football without ever being able to dominate or exercise real control. We seem to lack a cutting edge or spark that would enable us to put daylight between us and the opposition when we are in the ascendancy. This has been a feature of our game all season where I think it is fair to say we have been the best side in all of our games so far but have not turned the performances into the results that reflect it.
Invicta are a good side who will be in the shake up for the trophies at the end of the season. We started brightly and had the better of the early exchanges without scoring the all important goal that may have put them back on their heels. As it was they started to come into the game more as the half progressed and looked dangerous on the break. They took the lead just before half time when a cross to our far post was headed back across goal for them to finish.
At half time we raised the question of character and asked for more tempo. We were not playing badly but appeared very flat and had a lack of urgency in our play. Again we started brightly and were starting cause more problems to their defence. On the hour we achieved the break through when Alun Evans, who had replaced the injured Dave Burren after 25 minutes, cut into the area from the left, was adjudged to have been hauled back and a penalty was awarded. On reflection it was probably the correct decision as he was clearly impeded but it was one of those 50:50 decisions and we would have been upset to have had it awarded against us. Their defender was clearly unhappy and was sent off for disputing it. Wardy stepped up under pressure to convert.
We continued to press for the remainder of the game and got behind them on numerous occassions without creating clear cut chances to win the game. At the end we more disappointed with the draw than them which is reflected in the fact that I can't recall 'The Chimp' having to make a save other than for the goal in the game.
The draw is not a disaster as there will be many points dropped amongst the leaders throughout the season. However, we do need to start converting our performances into more points and if we do that we will still be involved come next May.
Team:
L.Baker
A.Lindsey
M. Boorman
N.Coxon
I.Ward
L. Gent
M.Lawrence
M. Lester
D. McGahan
D. Burren
M. Millins
Subs:
A.Evans (for Burren)
G. Manser (for Lester)
T. Marshall (for Millins)