It is hard to say whether this result should be viewed as a
point gained or two points lost. On one
hand, the fact our opposition only had eleven men presented a good opportunity,
but then we were also missing some key players and had to play a number of individuals
in unfamiliar positions to fill the holes.
We also missed a hat full of good chances, but then showed great
determination to recover from a two goal deficit in the second half. I’m edging more towards this being a positive
result, as the result extends our unbeaten run to 5 games – which underlines
the belief we have rediscovered since narrowly losing to Stanford – and was
also a vast improvement on the last time we played this side.
It has been mentioned that Sharpy had to have a major
re-shuffle, with Eye-Ball filling in at centre-back, Ryan playing as the main
striker with Jake just in behind and Nick playing on the left. Liam partnered Harry in the middle and James
stood in at left back.
Subs: Alex, Scott, Sharpy
Aveley started brightly, and should have taken the lead when
Jake fed a good ball inside the full back for Craig. Craig’s initial shot was saved, and then he
couldn’t find a way to goal on the rebound as Lakeside defenders and keeper
threw themselves in front of the ball.
Burying the ball from 6 yards is becoming a bit of an issue as others
also failed in this scramble when the odds seemed stacked against the defending
side.
Some of the Aveley players were struggling to come to terms
with their new positions in the first half, and our shape was awful at
times. This was all the more apparent
when Eye-Ball was drawn into attempting an interception in midfield, which was
unsuccessful and resulted in Rob being exposed at the back. The Lakeside midfielder raced clear and
finished calmly past Foggy: 1-0.
We responded well to going one down, but appeared to have
wasted yet another gilt edged opportunity to score from close range. However, we were handed a lifeline when Ryan
picked up the loose ball and played a short ball in the area to Jake. He pushed it past the defender and was
brought down for a stone wall penalty.
With Dale missing there was a short discussion about who should take the
kick, which included a recommendation for Eye-Ball which was very quickly
dismissed by the Gaffa (and Eye-Ball to be fair). For once the previous week’s training session
would come in useful, as penalty practise had given us a good idea of who was
most likely to score from 12 yards. There
was consequently no arguments when Ryan was handed the ball. He showed himself to be as competent under
match conditions as in training, as he sent the keeper the wrong way to get us
back in the match: 1-1.
We were restricting Lakeside to very few chances, but they
once again showed what a difference it makes when you finish the ones you
get. The striker broke down the right
and pulled the ball back across the box where the left winger had arrived unmarked. His initial effort was well saved by Foggy,
but their other striker reacted quickest to put the ball in the back of the
net: 2-1.
We know we are in trouble when Sharpy walks us away to a
quieter spot at half time, but the advice that followed from both Gaffa and
captain was constructive and helpful. Things
definitely improved in the second half, despite going another goal down following
a sloppy moment from a corner when Foggy and about three defenders collided
going for the ball from a corner, and it deflected in off Robin’s back for the
first O.G. of the season: 1-3.
Sharpy made two changes following this goal with Nick being
replaced by Scott and Alex making his debut in place of Robin. No one likes to be taken off, but despite
being visibly annoyed to be substituted Nick deserves credit for making the
objective observation that these changes seemed to make a difference. The fresh legs would have helped, as we started
to get on top.
It’s fair to say that we wouldn’t have clawed our way back
into this came without Ryan’s determination and superb finishing. It also helped that Jake seemed to be
relishing playing in a more advanced role which enabled him to look to make the
killer passes that he is always trying in training. On this occasion the ball was played to him
by Luke, who had made a typically incisive run.
Jake then slipped the ball through to Ryan, who won the 50/50 race with
the keeper and curled the ball low into the bottom corner: 3-2.
The Lakeside keeper’s kamikaze approach was a popular
talking point following our last meeting, as with more luck than judgement he
raced off his line on a number of occasions to deny us. However, his luck seemed to have run out now
as he sprinted off his line to try and stop Ryan getting to a high ball forward
from Craig. Ryan’s got there first, flicking the ball out to the left before
finishing superbly into the near corner of the net with the outside of his
right boot: 3-3.
There could easily have been more goals, as both teams had
chances which included a very good penalty shout each. First Lakeside’s striker was unceremoniously
stopped in his tracks by James, and then Ryan was taken out after Eye-Ball had
ridden a rash challenge before slipping the ball forward. On both occasion the ref decided to respond
to the foul in the box by bringing play back for the foul that had led to him
playing an advantage – curious but at least consistent.
A couple of last ditch blocks from Eye-Ball were needed, as
well as some good work from Foggy coming off his line to claim the ball and
clear any danger, to preserve our point, but we saw it out to the end with
Sharpy even allowing himself a little run out, which helped us with winning the
ball and retaining possession. Everyone
continued to work hard and get stuck in, and there was even a rare but
perfectly timed sliding tackle from Scott to admire – I’m looking forward to
seeing more of those! However, on the
balance of play both teams should be happy with a point, and the rendition of “Reach
for the Stars” in the showers afterwards suggest the Accies were happy with
their morning’s work.
Ryan’s
all-round contribution was key to us getting anything from the game. However, he was just pipped to the MoTM award
by Harry, who deservedly received the most votes as he took responsibility for
leading the midfield and displayed the bite, dogged determination and
commitment that we all should have aspired to.
An honourable mention should also go to Alex, who impressed on his first
outing in defence. The assumption was
that he would be predominately a full back, but his height, good positional sense
and willingness to communicate with his fellow defenders suggests he is equally
happy at centre back, where we can definitely do with some more cover. There was no DoTD on this occasion, despite
Foggy nominating himself for a number of wayward kicks towards the end of the
game – give yourself a break skipper!
With training finishing for Christmas and no game now until
January it will be down to individuals to avoid the temptation of eating too
much turkey, and to try and maintain some reasonable level of fitness. Who am I kidding, this is Sunday league so
everyone is in the same boat. Eat,
drink, and be merry. Have a fantastic
Christmas, and see you all in 2016.
Eye-Ball
Goal scoring chart
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