The bubble had to burst at some point, and if it had been
left a bit flat from the previous week’s abandonment, it died with an inaudible
pop following a tepid display against Trojans.
To be fair, Trojans have been one of the most consistent sides
throughout the season and were playing at a level above what we were able to
reach in this game. You could argue that
we had key players missing, and that we were further weakened when Ryan picked
up a potentially season ending torn ankle ligament in the second half with the
scores still tied, but these would be weak excuses given that the squad we have
should be more than capable of overcoming these set-backs. The truth was that the Accies just didn’t
have the hunger or energy this time, and that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
Subs: Craig, James
Despite being second best for most of a first half in which
we heard far too much of the referee’s whistle following silly fouls all over
the pitch, we actually took the lead. A
corner was whipped in which Blakely nodded down into the path of his centre
back partner. If I was to say that Robin,
with his back to goal, kicked the ball over his head into the top corner some
of you may be imagining him leaping six feet off the ground and scissor kicking
the ball into the net. That’s a nice
image, so don’t read on if you’d rather not know that he held off the defender
and (without leaving the ground lifted the ball over his shoulder towards the
goal where it was helped in by the man on the line. Still, the dubious goal committee have
awarded the goal to Rob and the assist to Blakey: 0-1.
The lead was lost controversially when Trojans’ striker appeared
to push James in the box before finding a little space around James and Robin
to lift the ball over Foggy and in off the far post: 1-1.
The deserved rollicking at half-time seemed to have some effect
and the Accies definitely improved in the second half. A sick Eye-Ball was removed and replaced at
left back by Luke (now playing his third different position in the match) and
Craig came on at right midfield. Despite
playing better, we still struggled to create much, and Dale was struggling to
find his stride which wasn’t helped by a lack of decent service. The half was scrappy, and we survived a few
dangerous crosses and one misunderstanding between centre backs and keeper, who
all left the ball for the Trojans striker, who couldn’t finish from 12 yards.
The final change was forced when Ryan rolled his ankle and
left the field in agony. The Kenyon
count was not affected, as James made his first appearance since winning the
DoTD award in the second game of the season.
He seems to have finally got over this, and brought some much needed
energy and determination to proceedings.
I was busy helping Ryan to his chariot when Trojans scored
their second, but I believe a loose pass from Nick was pounced on, and Rob was
unable to adjust to make the tackle before the ball was poked past Foggy: 2-1.
To be fair, the Accies did not give up, and even had a
couple of late chances to snatch a point. The best fell to Rob who again had Blakey for
company in the box, and between them they manufactured some room before Rob
side-footed inches wide.
The Chaplin brothers dominated the MoTM votes, with Liam – who
showed everyone else how they should be playing as he challenged for and won
most contests on the left – narrowly edging out Luke, who showed his versatility
in playing three positions and worked his socks off, despite being up against
Trojans speedy and influential winger.
It’s going to be pretty hard to add another excuse to the
list which includes: “only 90 minutes counts” and “the match was abandoned” to
justify claiming our unbeaten run goes on.
It all started with a narrow (and somewhat controversial) victory
against Trojans on 15th November 2015, and it seems somewhat fitting
that it should end 126 days and 16 games later against the same
opposition. Let’s forget how it ended –
especially the unsavoury scenes which make Ferguson’s tea-cup hurling antics
seem tame – and instead be proud of what we have achieved. Our aim is still to finish second, and with
three games left it’s all down to us to keep putting the pressure on others by
winning our games.
Eye-Ball
Goal scoring chart
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