The positive was that two key
players (Ryan and Luke) were available following lengthy injuries, but this was
somewhat neutralised by the absence of our captain (Milton Keynes of all
places!) and an ankle injury suffered by Johnny during the game which could
keep him out for the rest of the season.
This was especially cruel as the team were wearing black bands to
remember Johnny’s brother, who died at this time nine years ago. Even the guys who were playing were not all
in tip top conditions, with both Jake and Harry being ill. Harry particularly seemed to be suffering
rather badly from 30 odd days without the taste of alcohol. Credit to them both though for dragging
themselves off their sick beds to play in freezing cold, windy conditions.
Subs: Sharpy, Dale(2), Brian
Not even the fact that Lakeside
played the first 15 minutes with 10 men seemed able to galvanise us, and
throughout the match it seemed that we lacked the cohesion and desire to take
the game to our opponents and try to win the game. It’s hard to be critical, as it has been a
tough five weeks, and losing can become as much of a habit as winning. We’ve lost some of that swagger and
confidence that first appeared when we came from two down to beat Deportivo in
the opening game of the season. We have
six games left this season, and with a lot of heart (and maybe a spot of luck)
I’m sure we will still have plenty of reasons to hold our heads up high.
This game was goalless for about
65 minutes, with the best Clements chances I remember being individual efforts
from Jake. Firstly when he fired just
over the bar from 25 yards out, and then when a free kick from 45 yards almost
deceived the keeper, who had to tip the ball over the bar.
When the keeper saved well from
Dale, Ryan showed us what we had been missing when he was first to react and calmly
slotted the rebound into the net: 0-1.
Our lead was short lived when our defence was sliced open by
a through ball, and despite Chris’s best effort, he couldn’t prevent the ball
from rolling over the line: 1-1.
A point would still probably have flattered us, but we
nearly got one nonetheless. However,
with five minutes to go Sharpy was caught offside – being the only player in
the opposition half – and on this occasion Liam was probably off his line a
little too quickly, and was left stranded as the ball was headed over him and
into the net to hand Lakeside the victory: 2-1.
One man who definitely didn’t deserve to be on the losing
side was Big Rob, was once again gave a masterclass in defending. Even when it seemed the strikers had left him
for dead, you would find him resurrected in the penalty area and making a
perfectly timed (and eye-wateringly heavy) challenge or block. The only problem was the Bambi on Ice moments
caused by footwear that was inappropriate for the muddy conditions – still at
least it gave the opposition a bit of a chance.
It was no surprise that he was voted MoTM for the second week
running. DoTD was more fiercely
contested, but in the end Harry’s angry outburst (he really was a lot calmer
when turning up pissed) was beaten by the hilarious sight of Sharpy realising
that the best course of action was to pass the ball out to Ryan on the left,
but realising that this would mean using the pointless appendage attached to
his right leg. He finally decided to try
it regardless, and could only watch in horror as the ball spooned off in the
opposite direction to that intended.
Still, 10 out of 10 for effort.
I’m sure we won’t be stupid enough to think that next week’s
game against bottom of the table Mustang will be a walk in the park, as we all
remember what happened last time. They
will be going into the match following a win, which on one hand makes me happy
that I no longer have to look at the table and be reminded where their only
three points came from, but on the other hand means they will be thinking they
can repeat the feat against us. It’s
time for revenge, and to return to winning ways – game faces on everyone!
Eye-Ball
Next match: Sunday 8th February @ home v Mustang
Goal scoring chart
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