A very disappointing performance on Sunday saw us suffer our first defeat of the season. All credit to Artois whose game plan to close us down quickly, out fight us and hit us on the break worked well.
We opened up very brightly and for the first fifteen to twenty minutes played some very good football. Unfortunately we didn't convert our superiority into the goal that may have dampened Artois' enthusiasm and thereafter the quality of our passing and movement deteriorated and we struggled to compete physically. Predictably the first half ended goalless with both defences comfortably on top.
The second half continued in much the same vein as we struggled to keep possession and Artois continued to work hard. The decisive goal came with twenty minutes remaining when Artois broke from midfield and finished at the second attempt from within the penalty area. Despite throwing men forward and constant pressure thereafter the Artois defence held firm and we could not find the equaliser.
Hopefully what we will learn from this defeat is that having the best eleven players does not ensure victory and that you have to earn the right to win games. We were physically muscled out of the game on the day and need to add this quality to our technical abilities if we are to achieve something this season. We have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate whether we have this next week because Gardners will certainly compete on the physical front. We will need to improve significantly and be at our best if we are to get something out of the game.
Team:
L.Baker
A.Lindsey
M.Wood
N. Coxon
I.Ward
M. Millins
M.Lawrence
M. Lester
L.Gent
D. Burren
C.Mearing
Subs
D. McGahan (for Gent)
P. Bukovec (for Millins)
C. Ells (for Wood)