North Region Superleague

With a few iffy results behind us and confidence no exactly overflowing, this was an ideal game to get the collective asses into gear to try and get a result against one of our local rivals. With an almost full squad to pick from James decided to try something different with the formation but with the conditions being really wet and windy it was going to be interesting to see how this went.

It took 10 minutes before any sort of attack took place but when Zander got the ball at his feet his turn and shot went wide instead of hitting the target. We got another change on 13 minutes when a speculative ball in from the right into their box was sliced by the defender but as the ball ran free on the 6 yard line nobody had gambled and the chance went begging. On 22 minutes, Iain had to make a great block tackle 18 yards out to prevent a shot on goal then a minute later he got the ball around the half way line, took it forward and crossed to the far post where Zanders header was saved at the foot of the post.On the half hour Dane put a ball into the box again for Zander but this time his shot was blocked. Then on 38 minutes we really should have scored when after a sustained attacke John Willox got the ball in the middle of the goal with only the keeper to beat but his shot straight at him and he saved it with his legs. Then eventually we scored, a free kick on the right was whipped in by Zander and Stevie Whyte rose like a salmon (!) to head the ball into the net, excellent finish, for a salmon !  So half time and a lead, a position we have been in a few times lately and not been able to carry it sll the way through.

Despite being told to keep it tight for the first 10 minutes, guess what happens ! Yup, they equalise. They got a fortunate free kick about 35 yards out, it was hit high onto the edge of our box where ex Maud player, Snuggies did a great job of fouling 2 Maud players without the referee doing anything about it (not the only time today) and the ball eventually fell to their No. 9 with his back to goal but with nobody close enough to challenge he turned and put the ball inside to post. On 57 minutes teve got a rin down our right and crossed low into the box but it was hacked clear. Steve had another chance on 67 minutes but again it went wide. After 70 minutes we took the lead again when Zander took a great in-swinging corner on our right straight onto Gav’s head, who had only been on the park as sub for 5 minutes and he powered it into the net. With 20 minutes to go it was an ideal time to shut up shop but unfortunately 8 minutes from the end another long ball, from their keeper (!) into our box was again not defended properly and the result was a similar goal the their first one. And that was just about it.

It was a better performance but one or two of the guys need to look at their own performances because although some were definitely improved from the last 2 weeks, some still look like they are strolling through the game, I know its easy to say that from the sidelines I’m afraid thats just what it looks like. We also only had 4 shots on target all game which is not really good enough.

A point felt like a defeat to be honest because we let it slip, similar to when we played them at Maud, when we could and should have seen it through.

So next week we are away at Lewis in the League where again the lads are going to have to work hard to get a result.

Match Stats