MIXED EMOTIONS

Subs

• Foster for M.Barber

• P.Barber for Halloran

Guts, Passion, Pride, Commitment………I could go on but I don’t think I need to.  I have never left a game so proud but so disappointed.    Proud of the way we tried to play our football and the way we made a good side look average at times.  Yet disappointed.  Not for myself but for the lads who gave their all and more for 70 minutes and lost at the death.

We knew we would have a tough game as Coleshill were top of the league and have not lost many games in the past 3 seasons.  They have had 2 successive promotions and on this evidence I wouldn’t rule out them ending up in the Premier League.

We were without Steve and Dayle so Ryan brilliantly filled in as goalkeeper and Matt Barber came into the midfield.  We had to shuffle things a bit so Graham went in at right back and Henners stepped into the midfield.

We made a bright start to the game yet again and even though we weathered some early danger we were getting forward in numbers.  Much of the play was up the left and Dylan and Jim were again combined well in attack.  There were no real chances as both defences looked solid but another Mark Williams corner was dropped by the keeper and Scotty was on hand to stab us in front.

The continued to be end to end and Ryan was forced into action on a few occasions.  We went 2-0 up when Marks free kick found it’s way through to Dylan.  His left foot shot went across the goal for Halloran to score goal number 10 of the season.

We looked pretty solid but just before half time Coleshill's classy number 6 started to boss the game.   His run and cross led to a good headed goal.  Within minutes it was 2-2 when the forward raced through (looking suspiciously offside), Ryan made a great save but the rebound was poked home.

Half time and we looked a little dejected but we had played some great football and were unlucky not to be in front.

The 2nd half was much the same. We came out of the blocks quicker and had chances to go in front.  Yet another Mark free kick was volleyed home by Henner’s to put is back in front.  Shortly after Mark’s outstanding display got the goal it deserved when his thumping free kick flew into the net. 4-2.

From then on it was pretty much Coleshill.  They took a grip of the game and we had a lot of defending to do.  To be fair we didn’t do it badly and we headed more balls away and put in more last ditch tackles than ever before.  Scott and Mikey were again outstanding and Graham was rock solid at right back.

Eventually the pressure told and two goal mouth scrambles levelled the score, although Ryan had twice made saves in the build up.

When Ryan made that save from the free kick with 3 minutes to go I was sure we would get a point.  It was a sickening blow to concede so late.  Especially as were on the attack 15 seconds before we let the goal in.

All in all we played better football in this match than I have seen before.  We at least matched last weeks performance.  This was probably better as it was against much better opposition.

I can’t give you all enough praise today.  You deserve more than you got and I’m proud of your effort.

Steve