Sunday can best be described as another competent performance against a spirited Artois side in difficult conditions.
We took a while to adjust to the wet surface and for a lot of the first half were over hitting or miscontrolling passes and as a consequence wasted a lot of good possession. Nevertheless we were fairly comfortable and it was no surprise when we took the lead on twenty minutes. Nick Coxon made a late run in to their box and was left unmarked to head home a well placed Chippa free kick. Instead of deflating Artois this actually spurred them into action and they missed a couple of good chances shortly after to draw level. Despite these we were generally in control and had several good opportunities ourselves, without success, to close the game out before half time.
At half time the importance of the next goal was noted as was the need to tidy up and simplify our passing as the only time Artois posed any serious threat was when we gifted them the ball through sloppy or too intricate play ourselves. Shortly after the break with little threat being directed at our goal we decided to bring on Danny and Peter in an effort to improve possession and delivery in the final third. We were rewarded on the hour when Peter received the ball twenty yards out and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner. Two minutes later Chippa tried the same but his shot struck the bar, however Danny following up was able to control and stroke home the rebound. With the game now over we continued to play some neat football but were unable to take further advantage of the chances that came our way.
Looking back it is another of the potential banana skins that we can tick off our list and we go into the final six league fixtures a point behind Simla with a game in hand. As was stressed before the game we need to take each game at a time and be 100% focused on each. We were in this position last year and came through it well. Whilst the home game against Simla is likely to be fairly decisive it will count for nothing if points are dropped elsewhere. Accordingly Swan away on Sunday is a massive game for us in the context of the weeks ahead and we need to prepare for it accordingly.
Team:
L.Baker
A.Lindsey
S.Hunter
N.Coxon
I.Ward
M.Wood
A.Chapman
G.Manser
O.Allman
A.Evans
M.Millins
Subs:
D.McGahan (for Hunter)
P.Bukovec (for Evans)
S.Harper (for Millins)
L.Gent