THEY WANTED IT MORE

Subs

• Broadhurst for Davies

• Ryan for Stokes

• Davies for Palmer

• Stokes for Bissell

Our first game in the Premier Division Division put us up against Chelmsley Town for the 2nd season running.  Last year’s worst performance of the season saw us lose 3-0.  We managed some form of revenge by beating Chelmsley twice in league and cup later in the season. 

Chelmsley arrived with a host of new players from the side we had come up against last season.  Our week couldn’t have been much worse, losing Mike Halloran and Graham to injuries.

Halloran's injury allowed Jack Davies to start his 1st game for us and James Grady pipped Pete to the left back position after impressive pre-season form.

Chelmsley started the way they meant to go on.  They seemed to have a hunger to avenge last season’s defeats to us and they looked much sharper and stronger in the early stages.  We were being beaten to the ball far to often and we showed far too much respect by not tackling in crucial areas.

Chelmsley have always come with a reputation that you have to match them in the battle before you can beat them in the game.  Today we didn’t do that and Chelmsley looked much the hungrier team throughout.

The 1st 20 minutes looked like 11 against 5 as too many of our players were too soft and too slow for the what the opposition played.  James and Mark were in the action a lot and giving as good as they got.

Henry was our only midfielder who seemed to be able to compete with the physical  Chelmsley team.  Henners played with discipline and he always looked for the simple pass when others were often caught passing the ball into no mans land.

The pressure eventually told and a free kick into our box was unlucky deflected in 0-1.  Our only real chances came from corners but the Chelmsley centre back was a tower of strength in the air.

Jonjo and Pete went on in the 2nd half and both showed a lot of effort and desire to effect the game.  Jonjo made a definite impact when he moved into the centre as we had been giving the ball away far to cheaply.  His 2 passes set up our better 2nd half chances. 

In the meantime Chelmsley continued to press and harass our lads.  The game became more physical and although our lads competed much better 2nd half,  we still only had a handful of players that looked willing to go in where it hurts. 

Jack Foster, James and Pete continued to battle on at the back whilst Henry still impressing in the midfield.  Dyl gave us good work rate but often found himself out numbered.

Chelmsley got a 2nd goal with a stroke of luck when a cross found it’s way over Steve and into the net.  We through caution to the wind as Mark went further forward.  His free kick tested the keeper and 1 or 2 corners may have resulted in better.  We did get a goal.  Jonjo fed Dyl who forced the defender into bringing him down.  Mark stepped up as cool as ever to score from the spot. 1-2.

I have to say that the best team won on the day.  Chelmsley have clearly improved but we lacked the desire that got us through close games last season.  We need more than 5 or 6 performers if we are to win games in this league.  We will find out a lot about ourselves in the next few weeks.  The positive from today was that in a game where we didn’t compete we only lost by 1 goal.  I also thought the substitutes made an effort to impact the game which was something we may have lacked previously.

Coleshill are next, another team who have added a number of proven Premier league players to their squads.  We need to perform as a whole to compete for 80 minutes.

Steve