GOAL-DEN GRAHAM

Subs

• Dylan McLaughlin for P.Barber

• Doyle for Evans

From the minute I got up I thought today would be one of those days.  So when we arrived at the ground to find our pitch was being played on I just thought “here we go”.

Coldlands kindly offered to use their pitch so all was not lost.  Our lads were brilliant and waited patiently.  Although I’m told Matt Barber was trying to start a food fight in the hut.

Mark Williams who has been fantastic in recent weeks was away which meant a slight re-shuffle.  Deano rolled back the years and went in at centre back and the flexible and invaluable CJ went to right back.  Phil was back on the right and new signing Dylan would start as a sub.

The game finally got under way and both teams were a bit scrappy.  With no game for two weeks we needed to get the cobwebs out of our system.  Graham was been tightly watched by the Coldlands back four but he still managed to break through twice in the 1st half only to fire just wide.

We did break through half way through the 1st half.  A good ball into Graham from Matt Barber and Graham had turned and fired in superbly from long range before the defence knew what was going on.  Although Graham is on fire this season I thought Matt Barber “shining his boots” was a bit much although if Graham gets to 25 goals this season I promise I will shine them for him.

We played reasonably in small patches but I felt we made too many mistakes.  The goal we conceded was down to this.  I’m going to name and shame Matt Barber for giving away a needless corner, AND then getting in Henner’s way when the corner came in, leading to their equaliser.  Sorry Matt but you are much better up the other end.

I thought Grahams first half showed just how much he has developed.  The way he dealt with the man marker, the way he took his goal and the way he was bringing Phil and other players into the game was great to see.

Half time 1-1 and the lads were told that even though they weren’t playing well they still looked the better team.  So if we could turn it on we would surely win the game.

The 2nd half was much the same.  I thought we defended reasonably well although our midfield went walkies once or twice.  I thought CJ and Deano were really good in the 2nd half.

A special mention goes to both of them but for different reasons.  Deano has had a terrific start to this season at right back and it wasn’t going to be easy to go back into the centre after so long on the right.  He did it really well.  His heading was superb and his positioning was as sound as ever.  I think he thoroughly deserved his man of the match.  Edging CJ only because Deano has been so close on other occasions this season.

As for CJ, he often gets the rough deal in our squad.  The last 3 games he has played 3 different positions and he has got better and better.  Every squad needs a CJ and his battling and die-hard nature has allowed him to force his way into the team after starting the season as a sub.

Back to the game.  At 2-1 Ryan made a fantastic save, not only the save though, Ryan has been very consistent for three weeks and his handling was top drawer today.  The confidence is back and we have only conceded 2 in the last 4 games.

Eventually our goal came.  Matt Barber skinned his man in the box before the loose ball broke to Graham who once again smashed it into the roof of the net.

The subs went on toward the end and Dylan had a good 20 run out where he looked very dangerous.  It’s obvious that he has been such a good find for us.  He rounded off a good display with a neat finish in the final minute.

Well-done guys, not the best performance but enough in the circumstances.  That’s four wins on the trot.  Its back to the cup next week with Premier league Sporting Celts standing between us and the quarter final. 

Steve