WE NEVER GOT GOING

Subs

• Barnes for M.Barber

• Foster for Abbott

• Halloran for P.Ryan

• M.Barber for Stokes

• P.Ryan for Hill

This was probably the most boring match of the season and unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of a close encounter.  Halesowen had the better of the 1st half as we were slow to get going but we were the better side after the break.  Halesowen did create most of the good chances though so if anybody deserved to win it was them.

We stuck with the team that beat Knowle.  Jim was back from injury and Mike H was back from holiday but they both had to start on the bench. 

Halesowen cam at us hard from the off and we really couldn’t find our shape.  Unfortunately all of the things we have done so well recently went out of the window again.  Our defence seemed content to hover around the edge of our own area, even when we cleared the ball.  This only results in the game being played in our half. 

Our midfield were simply non existent for the whole game.  All four of them had off days and the subs who went on struggled to make any impact.

We seemed to lose every kick out of throw in and we were second to the ball on every occasion in the 1st half.   Peter and Dylan were not in the game at all and there was very little service to speak of.  I do not think either of them did enough to find space to receive the ball.  Also, forwards have to defend as well and we were slow to close down throw ins and defenders when they had the ball.

The one positive to come out of the 1st half was the performance of Steven.  Had it not been for him we would have been dead and buried and he saved us on 3 separate occasions with crucial blocks.  1 save in particular was outstanding.

We sent Jack and Mike on at half time and we did do a little better.  Mike H added something up front and he looked the most likely to score if anyone was going to.  Jack did a solid job at right back and after a chat at half time our back 4 were pushing out further up the field.  Defensively we had sorted out our problems and Steve was getting a much earned break in goal as we pushed forward.  

Although we were doing better Mark and Graham were still being outplayed in the middle of the park.  This for me is where the game was lost.  The 2 Halesowen lads were big and strong and just seemed more up for the battle then Mark and Graham who had both been so good against Knowle the week before.

We never really looked like scoring to be honest.  Ryan had a half chance when a corner fell to him.  Jim, Matt and Mike H and speculative shots from distance but all in all it was a quiet day for their keeper.

Halesowen got the goal, against the run of play when the best player on the day had a shot from distance that deflected off Scott and over Steven’s head.

A bad day got worse when Matt got injured, although I hear he is feeling ok now.

Steven was an obvious Man of the match and I thought Dayle and Mike Cardall had decent battling games.  Jack did well when he went on.  Other than that we disappointed.  3 tough away games to go including 3rd placed Lakeside this week and League Champions Phoenix in the final game.   It is a tough run in but one I am looking forward to.  I am a looking closely at everybody now with a view to next seasons squad so I am hoping we can put in a performance or two.

Steve