CALLOWBROOK DOUBLE HEADER

Subs: 

• Hill for Halloran

• P.Barber for Mcloughlin

Game 2 (2-0)

Subs

• Askey

• Hill

Game 1 

What a day that turned out to be.  As you can probably guess I am not a big fan of double headers anymore.  While we are on the subject, I am not a big fan of the drive to Rubery, the smallest pitch on earth, and the referee who watches too much Champions League on TV.

Now I have that off my chest we can move on.  The day started well before we arrived at the pitch.  We had the warm up from hell with all the disruptions but the game eventually got going.  Once again we had a shaky start and lost most of the tackles and headers.  Callowbrook were unlucky not to score, hitting the bar twice and forcing Ryan into action on numerous occasions.  The defence held out fairly well and toward the end of the half we began to get forward a little more.  Dylan and Alex were our main threats and it was those two who combined to give us the lead.  Dylan surged up the right wing and into the box before his cross shot well turned in at the back post by the sliding Alex.  A good goal.

Half time and 1-0 up so we were happy considering we hadn’t really settled.  The 2nd half was much the same.  Callowbrook peppered the goal with shots from distance and the tricky right-winger was starting to run at James more and more.  We defended well at times and even had chances to kill the game off.  Graham was in on goal 3 times but couldn’t hit the target.  Dylan fired just wide after good footwork.

Eventually the equaliser came when Scotty (arguably our best player in the 1st match) missed a clearance and the striker tapped past Ryan.

So 1-1 and although we had chances to win it, it was probably a fair result. 

Our problems in the 1st match stemmed from losing the midfield battle and yet again missing 1 or 2 good chances to win the game.

Game 2.

This one really frustrated me.  For the 1st 15 mins we bullied again.  Their keepers big kicks were causing problems and our reluctance to head the ball or meet it before it bounces was our down fall.

We held out for 10 mins, once again thanks to Ryan and some help form the crossbar.  Noticeably in this game though we were a different team going forward.  Much more precise.  Michael Halloran was the main reason for this.  He really came to life and some of his runs and crosses were excellent.

Defensively we let ourselves down.  We had several chances to clear the 1st goal and we never did. Although the forward looked suspiciously offside when he tapped it in from a yard.

The 2nd came quickly after.  Another scramble led to the ball looping in the air toward the goal.  Deano kneed it when he should have headed and the ball ended up in the net.  2-0.

And then for the 2nd half.  Well, it was a different game and we were a different team.  We had finally turned up and the good football, high energy and tough tackles were back.  Henry had dropped into the back four and looked very assured.  Matt Barber went into midfield and along with Mark Williams was running the game.  Paul Barber was feeding off some tremendous flicks and through balls from Mike Halloran.  We really should have won this one.  Their keeper made 3 or 4 brave saves.  Mike Halloran headed just over and his cracking volley from Matt Barbers cross was well saved.

The difference between this 15-minute spell and the rest of the match as that our midfield was winning the ball in the right areas of the pitch.  Allowing Dylan and Alex to get further forward. 

It was nice to finish on good note but all in all a disappointing day. 

We gave Scott man of the match in game 1 and Ryan in game 2.  I though Jim, Alex and Dylan all had decent days as well. 

A small pitch like this can even out the class gulf between two teams.  It was a lot like an FA Cup 3rd round game.  When a premiership team ends up playing away in the conference.  We need to learn how to win these games as it’s costing us 6 points a season.  Last year we dropped 4 points to bottom of the league Solihull.  This year Solihull have taken 3 from us and Callowbrook 4.  It all adds up.

Wednesday night is Halesowen away.  They are still going for promotion so it will be a tough game. 

Remember training is 6:30 at Elmdon Park from now on.

Steve