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OK – first the excuses. Missing Harry C, Harry LA, George and Jack was never going to make our lives any easier. With Louis, Calum and Mark full of the snots it would be fair to say we were under powered.
Having said that we were poor. Jake’s free kicks aside we did not have a shot on goal. Slow to the tackle, weak in the tackle, poor in possession, poor control, poor decision making. But the most dominant feature was how quiet we were. When a player had possession no one called, no-one offered their help, bar Joe. Even at the end, Louis called for the ‘Three Cheers’, and the response was appalling. This must change – it makes us look like bad sports – and that is something we are not.
Stanway were physical, we knew they would be. The number of free kicks we were awarded is testament to the way they play, but they also played good football. All bar their last goal were well crafted and decisively finished. We were denied a goal when the keeper appeared to drag the ball back over the line following an enormous kick from Jake, but much like Van der Sar he got away with it. Other than that it was one way traffic. Thomas made a fine save and a number of interceptions to keep the hosts at bay, but there was an inevitability about the game, and it did not favour us.
We stemmed the tide in the second half, but we looked fragile throughout. I think I counted three occasions when we strung three or more passes together. Other than that, we sliced, got knocked over, fell over or gave the ball away.
A shame to end the year on such a note. There will be more tough games ahead and we will need much greater resolve and team spirit to gain any points.
Joe worked hard throughout and thoroughly deserved the man of the match award.
Thanks to the support, Val for snacks and James for the line – he came even though Harry was not playing – bless his wellington boots.
Genuinely a Happy Christmas to you all. |