WE LET THEM BACK IN

Subs

• Stokes for Halloran

• Stanley for Cardall

This really was a game of two halves.  A composed and confident 1st half display gave us a deserved lead but we lost too many key battles in the 2nd half which gave the Robins a hard fought draw.

This game is the hardest on paper of the 4 remaining.  The Robins home record has been good and they have beaten Oakland ’s and Chelmsley in recent weeks.  Both teams are scrapping it out at the business end of the table.  There is a strong possibility that we are fighting for one promotion place.  I expect Chelmsley to take the other.

We were without Sonny and Graham for this game.  Dayle and Cardall returned to the side with Ryan dropping to the bench and Scotty still easing himself back top full fitness.

The early stages of the game were fairly even but our midfield took a grip from around the 10th minute onwards.  Dayle had a lot of success up the left and Pete offered great support.  Dyl was always an option and Henner’s was by now pulling the strings with a succession of neat passes and interchanges.  Rob and Pete offered great support to the forwards.

As we took further control I was really beginning to enjoy our play.  One move up the right between Cardall, Henners, Rob and Halloran was followed by another between Henners, Pete, Dayle and Dylan.  We were starting to open the Robins up.  Mark had 3 shots saved.  Halloran’s header was also saved and Peter headed a corner wide.

We had pressed the play high up the pitch and were playing the game in the Robin’s half.  Eventually our pressure up the left hand side told.  Dayle’s pressure won us a throw in.  Jacks long throw was touched on by Pete.  Dylan got to the by-line and cut it back for HALLORAN to control, hold off two defenders, spin and score from close range.  1-0.

We continued to press from here.  Our back four was alert to any breaks and Cardall twice headed away at crucial times.  The midfield 3 continued their dominance and Pete’s shot unluckily hit the bar.

Half time 1-0.

The 2nd half was a different game.  It was the Robin’s who were pressing us back our defenders were doing very well to keep the chances to a minimum.  We had lost a little shape in midfield as our 3 were often up against 4.  In future it is the job of the wide players (Dayle, Halloran) to drop deeper to support.

There were one or two close shaves but we did eventually concede.  A free kick that was a little dubious when judged against some other tackles that had been allowed to go earlier on, was floated quite tamely into our box.  Everybody on our side hesitated (as usual).  The ball bounced and bobbled its way into the net.  Another soft goal to add to the two against Bell Youth.

We could have actually killed the game off a minute before the equaliser.  Pete broke through and was tripped for what looked like a penalty.  Pete stayed on his feet and tried to score but the keeper saved well.  It looked like Dylan would have a tap in but somehow the ball got stuck under his feet and the danger was cleared.

From here on in there were few chances.  Dayle looped a cross not far away from going straight in.  Mark’s deadly corners were again left alone by everybody although Henner’s did get quite close one of them.

All in all there was a lot to be pleased about, particularly in the 1st half.  The lesson to be learned here is that if you only get 1-0 in front when you are so dominant, you always leave the chance to concede and drop points. 

We now know that 3 games remain and 3 wins are needed.  I get the feeling that the next time we meet the Robin’s it could just well be a winner takes all game.

Steve