Losing this game hurt, as we rightly felt we had a good
chance of going all the way to the final of the league cup. Unfortunately, as those who were roped into
playing the drinking games at the Christmas booze up will testify to, there is
always a risk that the coin of chance will land on tails when you called heads,
and you’ll end up necking a dirty pint of awfulness that leaves you feeling
sick.
The problem with a cup defeat is that it is all too easy to
remember the key negative moments that leave individuals feeling somehow
culpable for the loss. However, there
was no finger pointing either during or at the end of the game, as we all knew
that everyone had contributed so much to the team effort that made this such a
hard fought and competitive match. We probably
would have won the game in normal time, if it hadn’t been for Eye-Ball
conceding a penalty in the last five minutes.
We definitely would have won 4-3 in extra time if Webby hadn’t made his only
misjudgement of the match in coming off his line from the free kick which was
the very last kick of extra time. Maybe
we would have won the penalty shoot-out if the two Kenyons hadn’t missed the
target with their spot kicks. However,
none of these moments would have meant anything, as the game would almost
certainly have been lost before they occurred if it hadn’t been for the contribution
of these players: the numerous well timed tackles and interceptions from
Eye-Ball (including one that was not to referee’s liking, who needed to be
informed that Greg Rutherford no longer plays for us); the colossal display
from Webby who repelled numerous one-on-one chances and caught everything that
came anywhere near the six yard box; and the assists and finishing of the
Kenyons which lead to all of our four goals.
People have rightly said that we need to forget this game and move on, but
you only really get a sense of the strength of a squad when you lose, and I
have been really impressed with how we have reacted to the two defeats we have
suffered so far.
Three of the squad were missing this week, but only two
because of work. Luke was rushed into
hospital for an emergency appendix operation during the week. We wish him a swift recovery and hope to see
him charging up and down the right wing again soon (and supplying us we
sweets).
Subs: Chris, Johnny, lil’ Ryan
Dale commented at half time that we should take great heart
from being two nil up despite not playing very well, and he was right that we
had struggled to find the rhythm and cutting edge that had been so evident at
the end of 2014. Credit must go to the
opposition, who pressed us hard, and played our front two better than most have
this season, by giving them little time and space to turn and run at their
defence.
We took the lead against the run of play midway through the
first half, with the fact that the scores had remained level being thanks in no
small part to some great saves – including a tip over the bar from a rasping
shot – by Webby. Foggy is making a habit
of popping up in the six yards box at the right time, and was perfectly placed
to tap home following good work on the bye line by Ryan to keep the ball in
play and lift it into the area, and a brave challenge on the keeper by Liam,
whose header fell kindly for el Capitano: 0-1.
The goal that extended our lead was another one for the
scrap book. Liam broke on the counter
from our corner, and sent the ball forward where it was won by Dale on the
right. He then put in a deep cross to
his brother who was about 16 yards out and on the angle. Ryan chested the ball and then caressed it
with the inside of his right foot over the keeper, off the underside of the bar
and into the net: 0-2.
The luck may have been on our side in the first half, but it
dramatically flipped in the second as you could argue that, on another day,
none of Lakeside’s four goals would have ended up in the back of the net.
They got back in the game when Eye-Ball instinctively threw
a leg in the way of a well driven low shot, but his effort to block it only
resulted in the ball deflected away from Webby’s dive and into the back of the
net: 1-2.
Our two goal cushion was restored when Dale and Ryan
combined on the left, with Ryan dropping more than one shoulder to get past his
man before drilling the ball low into the six yard box. With Clements players waiting to pounce, the
defender had to intercept, but could only help the ball into the net: 1-3.
Lakeside had us really under the cosh for the last 15
minutes, and post-Christmas tiredness started to set in as we lost our shape,
but more importantly our discipline; giving away far too many free kicks around
the area. Lakeside’s second goal came as
a result of our bad shape, as two players broke into the box behind our back
line. Eye-Ball did manage to get back to
make a tackle, but the ball rebounded up to the other player who somehow found
a way past Webby: 2-3.
Eye-Ball can feel a bit unlucky for conceding a penalty in
the manor he did (and I can say that because I’m writing the report). He had read the through ball, but was beaten
to the challenge by Foggy, who cannot be criticised for putting in the effort
to help out his defence. Unfortunately
his tackle turned into a second through ball, and as Eye-Ball turned to poke
the ball away a Lakeside player came charging past, got his foot caught under
Eye-Ball’s and went to ground. Foggy was
aggrieved at the manner in which the player threw himself to the deck, but
there was contact so the decision couldn’t be disputed. The spot kick was calmly slotted home, and we
were going to extra time: 3-3.
Sharpy claimed the assist for the goal that gave us an early
lead in extra time, which we were to hold right up to the final kick of the
game. With an attacking corner won,
Sharpy halted Johnny’s attempt to sneak into the box ‘Robin Lawrence Style’,
and instead told Brian to get himself in there.
This Brian duly did, and stooped to head home Ryan’s in-swinging corner
from 8 yards.
Both teams wasted chances to score in the 25 minutes that
followed, and we were the ones to be punished.
Discipline has rarely been a problem this season, and although we found
plenty of reasons to moan at the referee in this game, we should thank him for
being relatively lenient. We did have to
play the last 5 minutes with ten men, but there were a couple of other
instances which could have had a more significant impact earlier in the game,
if the referee had been more willing to reach for his notebook. Corners and free kicks around the box had
been so well dealt with by Webby throughout the match, that when a foul was
committed 25 yards out we felt confident that we could defend it. However, Webby was a little too keen to claim
the ball and misjudged the flight.
Eye-Ball was standing closest to him, and could tell it was going end
badly by the look on his face which screamed “oh shit” without a word being
spoken. The referee let us get back into
position and kick off before instantly blowing his whistle for full time: 4-4.
We all know how the penalty shoot-out ended, and it’s no
surprise that the team who would have felt Christmas had just come again, won
out against the team who just found out that the fat bloke in the red suit,
kissing mummy under the mistletoe, was in fact their Uncle Derek. We should praise the five blokes who put
their hands up to take a kick: well done to Chris and Joe for scoring theirs;
commiserations to Ryan and Dale (at least they were stylish misses), and don’t
forget the unsung hero Liam, who turned up to the party in his best frock only
to find everyone had gone home (except Uncle Derek).
There was no need for a vote to decide Man of the Match, although
ironically his one mistake possible sealed it, as a solid performance at right back
and centre back, and your first goal for the club also being the winning goal
in extra time may have given the sentimental vote to Brian. As it was Brian’s contribution was forgotten
and, in an unprecedented turn of events, Webby walked away with both MoTM and
DoTD awards. We don’t need to explain
what the latter was for. So, Webby, get
yourself a drink on…yourself.
There is no more to say really, other than it’s really good
that no-one fell out, especially as we’ve got a long drive to Witham in the
Essex Cup next week. It’s going to be
tough, but let’s enjoy it and give it our best shot.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 11th January, AWAY @ Bramston
Sports Ground, Witham v Valley Green.
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