LOASS 5 Vs BUSH HILL RANGERS 1

12/12/04

This was our second meeting with Loass, and after our first meeting I was hoping for a better result and response from the boys. I was rewarded early on with a well-taken goal by Alex after some good work by his strike partner, Rishi. We were playing well and were creating plenty of chances. We more than matched Loass, in our ability to pass and to fight for the ball.  We were winning nearly all of the second ball challenges. Our defence were playing well as a unit, and the battleground in the middle of the park was being won by our boys.  We had the ball in the back of the net again, after about 20 minutes, but the goal was ruled out for off-side.  Another close decision. Their keeper was keeping them in the game with some outstanding work, and I believe we should have been 3 or 4 up at half time. But once again, with literally seconds to go, Loass scored with a well worked goal and there was barely time to re-start as the Ref blew for half time.

I explained to the boys at half time that more of the same was needed in the second half and to continue to believe in our football and we would surely get a result today. Loass has surely been rattled.

The second half started and we were unfortunate to pick up an injury in midfield, Loass started to win a few more tackles in this area, and were rewarded with a goal after 10 minutes. The boys’ heads went down and before they could compose themselves we found ourselves

3-1 down.  The game got stretched as we tried to get back into it. There were chances at both ends with Taylan bravely keeping out their striker with a great double-save!  However, we conceded two more goals in quick succession.  There was still 15 minutes to play and I tried to encourage the boys to believe in themselves and nobody responded more than Kielan, who terrorised their defence with skill, pace and aggression.  We had Loass on the back-foot for the remaining time, and with James at the back showing a ‘No Battle No Glory’ attitude, we were extremely unlucky not to get a result!

Looking at the score line, it is hard to believe that Loass only played for a 15 minute period, literally one before half time and 14 after! If this were a boxing match, the Ref would have stopped it well before the half time whistle as we had them on the ropes!

This score does not reflect the game that took place today.  Unlucky boys!

Today’s Man Of The Match - Pace, Skill, Aggression, Attitude = Kielan.