In the positive - we won and looked like a side that had goals in it. In the negative - we are playing well short of our potential and in two games have conceded more than a third of the goals we conceded in the whole of the league season last year. That said for the second week running selection was disjointed and lacking in availability. In fairness to all, consistency in performance will only come from consistency in selection and that itself can only come from a commitment to availability. Hopefully, going forward this will improve.
We started the game well playing some neat and tidy football and it was no surprise when we took the lead on 10 minutes. Good interplay between Woody and Gary Manser led to Steve Harper breaking down our left. Harps in turn crossed at pace across the face of goal and Alun Evans slid in at the far post to finish. In what was to prove to be a similar scenario for much of the game, Ramsfield equalised shortly after when the failure to pick up a runner from deep allowed us to become exposed down our left and for them to cut in and score at the second attempt. Thereafter we became sloppy and too elaborate in our passing, additionally we were allowing them far too much space in which to play. We did, however, regain the lead on 40 minutes when an Evans corner was met with a firm header by Harps into the roof of the net. We ourselves though failed to deal with a corner on 44 minutes and as a consequence turned round level at 2-2.
Half time was not a happy gathering and the need to get tighter to them and tidy up our game was emphasised. It appeared to have borne fruit when we took the lead for the third time on 52 minutes when good work down our right by Mark Lester led to the ball finding Liam Gent in the box and he finished well. However, just like earlier, Ramsfield were level again within a short time as some good play by them down our right led to their third. At that point our game was becoming a little predictable and so young Nick Edwards from the ‘A’ team was introduced at full back, Lester moved into midfield and Evans pushed up front to partner Harps. This appeared to give us renewed momentum but not the breakthrough we needed and as the game wore on it started to feel as though it wasn’t to be our day. We continued to press though and were rewarded on 85 minutes when a Manse flick on left Evans one on one with the keeper and he calmly slotted home. At the fourth time of asking we killed the game off with another goal shortly after, Evans breaking free and squaring to Harps to net the fifth. The relief was evident.
So back to winning ways but much improvement needed. Next week we face Gardeners - as always this will be a good test and it is hoped that this will be sufficient to bring out the best in us.
Team:
L.Baker
M.Lester
M.Wood
A.Lindsey
I.Ward
A.Evans
G.Manser
B.Leete
L.Gent
S.Harper
C.Mearing
Subs:
N.Edwards (for Mearing)
L.Hattle (d.n.p)