OUT FOUGHT

Subs:

• Cardall for P.Barber

• Evans for Askey

 Absent :Powell

Not the best of ways to start the New Year off with defeat against bottom of the table Solihull.  I heard many people mention that they are becoming our bogey team as they took 4 points off us last season as well.   I disagree.  It is not Solihull that beat us.  It was our own over confidence and lack of desire to put a foot in where it hurts.  Solihull are a team who have to make up for a lack of talent with sheer hard work and effort.  If only more of our team had the same commitment every week we would undoubtedly finish in the top three.   

Lets get to the game.  1stly we have had a couple of changes over the Christmas weeks.  Michael Halloran has joined us from Glades Celtic and Matt Doyle has moved on to find more games elsewhere as he never really broke into the 1st time.  I hope we all wish both well.

New signing Michael was unavailable today due to illness.  Other than that we had the full 14 to choose from.  Mickey made way for Mark to move back into the defence and Paul Barber got a start out on the right wing so Dylan and Graham could remain upfront.

We started the game brightly and had most of the play.  Matt Barber was on the ball a lot and we had a succession of free kicks and corners.  We eventually got the lead when Marks corner deflected into the net.  Although I am sure Mark will be claiming it. 

From this point on it was as if we thought we had the game won.  I never really saw another pass all day and everybody seemed to be standing round waiting for somebody else to do something special.

More corners were sent in but our 2-year reluctance to head the ball continued. (we will discuss that on Tuesday).

Solihull were getting back into the game through our own errors rather than their good play.  The equaliser came through 2 weak challenges from our defenders when the big lad ran through.  This goal is becoming a common occurrence where we tackle too softly and then fail to clear the ball when we have had 2 or 3 good chances to.  Off the top of my head we let in the same goal against Sporting Celts twice and Heathway.  And that’s only in the past few weeks.

By the time Deano's error let Solihull take the lead our midfield and forwards had practically switched off.  Henry and Alex had their worst games in a long time and Paul Barber struggled to get used to the right wing.  Dylan and Graham are a little too similar at the moment with both trying to do the same job so we may have to look at another alternative there.

I often find myself getting so frustrated.  Not at any of the boy's lack of ability.  If somebody just isn’t good enough then I can accept that.  What gets frustrating is some of the decision-making.  When an easy pass is on and somebody holds on to the ball or when needless passes are played when in time and space.

The 2nd half was much the same.  We started well.  Scott’s intro to the midfield seemed to step things up a bit.  Mikey went on and did well and we were back in the game.  More wasted corners and free kicks came and went before Graham's quick thinking led to our equaliser from a quick free kick. 2-2.

From here would should have gone on to win the game comfortably.  But, once again there was an air of “job done” about the place and we let Solihull straight back in front.  An awful kick from the off colour Ryan led to a free kick, which he then should have saved. 2-3.

The final goal was as a result of us pushing forward but at full time we had been beaten by a team who we can learn a few things from.  Sometimes when the conditions are bad or you are up against it, it needs somebody to put a foot or a head in where it hurts.  You need to roll your sleeves up and battle rather than stand round with your hands in your shirt freezing cold.

I am hoping today was a blip with a touch of Christmas hangover.  Next week is the cup against premier league Lakeside.  Another physical and hard working team who are having a tough season.  The cup is the last hope for them so they will be up for the fight.  I hope we are too.

Steve

Steve