Knobs 2 MBDA 5

A close first half 2-2, then subsidence when we kicked downhill. It could have ended up a thrashing. Perhaps it was.
One or two thoughts.
It's not easy at Vets level to compete in a straightforward way to win. Everyone tries but the problem always is, and will be, the compulsory use of subs- albeit roll on and off or whatever. The first eleven to start is not always the best competetive team. Everyone would have different views on that anyway before we even embark on tactics and individual expectations. Sometimes the use of subs comes off and we win or draw and sometimes it doesn't and we lose. Yesterday it didn't. When it doesn't seem to be working, matters can slip from bad to worse. Heads go down, little cabals develop on the field, individuals start doing what individuals do best following their own individual agendas. So we lost. So was it enjoyable, well probably, cos it was a flowing, aggro free game
despite the second half struggle and the result. And despite the newly found argumentative streak from Monsieur Boyle - he's been watching too much of the Under 7's.
I firmly believe if we had proceeded in the second half with the team set up and personnel we started the game with we would have won. But as mentioned above and on previous occasions we are always in danger of jettisoning any impetus, shape and flow of a performance by using subs compulsorily. Doesn't even matter really who has to come on, more often than not the performance is often adversely affected. And I thought it was yesterday. This is no criticism merely an observation of the reality of our set up.
We took the lead with a lovely, brave opportunist header from John Boyle from a long cross to the far post by Chris Wilson. We were warned they had some good footballers, some youth, and some know how and they equalised when a swerving shot was well parried by Trevor only to find noone anticipating from our side, resulting in a smash in at second attempt.
Our lead was restored by Andy set free by....? and banged in unopposed.
Their equaliser might have been fortuitous in that the ball was smashed against their midfielder Chris Smith pointblank, who ran onto the ball and scored top corner from 20 yards. Picture finish. Handball? I didn't think so. Certainly no intent to handle if it indeed did hit his hands (which I couldn't see) and anyway he hardly controlled it! Certainly controlled the shot mind!
Gavin came off shortly before half time, to be replaced by Tony of locked in the lavatory fame, returning from injury. John Boyle having had a blinder first half, nowhere more than in the effort department was substituted for Martin who replaced Chris W, positionally, the latter moving to left midfield and half an hour's isolation. See it was all a little difficult. Ten minutes into the second half, by which time we were trailing by 2, Tony of locked in the lavatory fame was taken off for presumably an early bath/shite or what. Don't worry Tony "you're my favourite" and by the way Alistair doesn't do Christmas cards so don't worry.
We were rather open defensively , second half, and they punished us. But hey they played well and it wasn't all down to our own frailties. Helluva good goal by the tubular winger- don't often concede one like that! All shimmy and footwork then a clever placed finish, Trevor couldn't have spotted through the crowd.
One criticism second half. We don't have a great header of the ball up front and each of Trevor's booming clearances, from hand, were comfortably headed clear by the centre half, in a flawless display of unchallenged heading as each one came unerringly and centrally onto his head.. Trev's boomers should have gone wide, see if the centre half liked running 30 yards left or right to head clear, or we should have been content to persevere by building up from the back through the middle. Our strengths????? No togetherness in sorting that out on the pitch. How do we want to play, what do we think our strengths are- these are things that should occupy our thoughts no matter who the personnel on the park are.
Second half it has to be said our attacking players were well shackled.
A few in the pub. Home in the rain. Decided lack of enthusiasm being shown for Blunham game next week- lots of injuries and non availability. It's at home!

Toodle pip