Half Time 0 - 1
Full Time 0 - 3
Our first league game of the new season started in the same way as everything else that has happened during pre season, problematic to say the least. What seemd like a strong squad of players Friday night turned changed drasticly by 2.45 Saturday afternoon.
I awoke Saturday morning to my phone beeping (whicj I have soon realised is not a good sign on the day of a match), Liam Gent our new centre forward has come down with a bout of morning sickness and was unable to play, luckily experienced Sunday 1st teamer Gary Manser stepped in, although not known for his goal scoring prowess we were thankful for his help. Next problem Barry Leete our new centre midfielder was stuck at work and would be late, he made it 5 minutes before KO, youngster Luke Smith was unable to play but we found out to late to organise another substitute. Lastly new Goalkeeper James Ramskill injured his hand during the warm up. So a quick change around of players, we started with this side:
A.Evans GK,
R.Taylor LB,
D.Hymers CB,
Tom Bowyer CB,
L.Washer RB,
C.Ells LM,
M.Lawrence CM,
G.Manser CM,
M.Wood RM,
B.Leete CF,
B.Brooker CF
Subs
G.Hughes
The first half started poorly for us, you could tell we hadn't played any pre season friendlies we were sluggish and let Platt come onto us, although Alun didn't have a save to make the pressure was building. As we started to get into the game Leete, Ells and Lawrence were starting to link up well, Manser started to win the midfield battle and Tom Bowyer started to get on top of their forwards, when the same problems from last year occured we stopped competing for the second ball and a misunderstanding in the back four let their centre forward in who finished well to put Platt 1 - 0 up. Soon after this we became the more dominant team and pushed for the equaliser. We had a number of half chances. Then with our best move of the match Mnaser won the ball in midfield, it was picked up by Lawrence who threaded the ball into the space behind the Platt right back for Ells to run onto, he produced a fierce strike that was destined for the far corner until their GK pull off a great save to tip it past the post. Not long after this after more good work from Ells and a great cross the ball reached Brookers head from six yards out but it hit the wrong side of the 50p he has stuck on his forhead and the ball went wide.
We went in at half time 1-0 down but on top but once again we hadn't taken our chances, but we were positive about getting back into the game.
The second half was a pretty poor affair and although we had some joy breaking the goalkeeper was more than a match for anyhting we had. We started to tire and our shape started to come apart. The centre forward for Platt who wasnt quite 5ft tall was a real handful and although he was a complete idiot and would start a fight in an empty room caused us plenty of problems during the game. The back four became more interested in kicking him than trying to get back into the match which resulted in us giving away a stupid free kick which they scored from. In the second half the game became a little niggly which resulted in us picking up 3 cautions. There thrid goal came which killed the game for us.
Overall there were a lot of positives for the team, we played against a team formed of two teams from last year who have improved vastly and had already played 7 pre season games so were far more match fit than us. With the four or five players who have come into the team once they all get used to playing together I feel we will have a strong squad.
P.S To any players reading this if you turn up late as punishment you will be locked in the changing rooms to think about what you have done, just ask Barry Leete.
Brownie