It’s a credit to the players who have stayed loyal, despite not always getting the opportunities, that the Gaffa was still able to name two subs (although Luke A. turned out to be crocked as well), and also fitting that Terry and Scott in particular should be rewarded with a full 90 minutes. Although I’m not sure Scott was quite as grateful as you might expect. We were also boosted by the timely return of Tony, which gave us the opportunity to see the T’nT partnership in action as we tried our hand at 4-4-2.
Subs: Craig, Luke A.
Despite being outnumbered in the middle, Harry and Lee put in one hell of a shift to ensure the opposition didn’t have any more time on the ball than was necessary. Liam and Scott pitched in to help by coming off their flanks when required, and Tony and Terry were a constant outlet and closed down the defenders to stop them from building from the back. We were still a bit panicky in possession, with some players (yours truly being the main culprit) treating the ball like a hot potato that need to be discarded rather than a sweet orange that needed to be cherished (mmm… orange).
We could easily have gone behind during this opening period, but some resolute defending, including last ditch interventions from Blakey, Robin, Eye-Ball and Luke C., plus stout repelling of set pieces protected Lewis’s goal for the main part. However, when we couldn’t prevent him being called into action, Lewis was more than capable of keeping the ball out of the net on his own. His key first half contributions included diving to his left to tip a free-kick round the post, saving low at his near post with an outstretched left leg, and clawing the ball away when it appeared to have (almost) crossed the line. With the defence playing a pretty good line, Craig was just as busy as the rest of us with the flag. There was no way he could have told if the ball had fully crossed the line, and despite the whinging of the opposition groupies – who typically think offside is as easy to discern from the half way line as it is when in line with the back four some 25 yards away – he was honest with every decision and deserves credit for taking the flag when many take a step back.
There was nothing lucky about how we took an unexpected lead midway through the half; although the keeper cocked up when trying to clear under pressure from the left hand corner of the 18 yard box, it was brilliance from Tony to calmly collect the ball, take a touch inside and curl it, with his less favoured right foot, over the retreating keeper and intervening defenders and into the top right hand corner of the net: 0-1.
After two games without a goal, this fine strike seemed to relieve a month of pressure as we started to play with more confidence and purpose. We were threatening Palmer’s goal more, and their keeper had to be off his line quickly to deny Lee a chance on goal, and Terry did well to fashion an opening from Liam’s low cross but couldn’t get any power on an off-balanced shot. Blakey had a goal-bound header fortuitously cleared and Luke C. was treating us to some of his marauding runs that have been missing in recent weeks. Harry and Lee continued to play through the pain and seemed to be everywhere as, between them, they supported in attacks at one end and were making last ditch tackles at the other. Palmers were still a danger in possession, but we made it to half time with no further incident (apart from the aforementioned offside-gate).
The half time team talk was a pretty pragmatic one; I don’t think we’d expected to be in the lead after the opening 45 minutes, and I’m not sure we expected to keep it up until the 90. However, we were going to give it our best shot, and if lady luck was on our side you never know what might happen.
As it happened, there did seem to be some divine intervention, but we also worked hard enough to deserve the odd break or two. Our opposition will be wondering how they didn’t win by a large margin, as they squandered chance after chance – which is in stark contrast to how clinical they were last time out. They weren’t helped by Lewis being on top form, and being quick to collect any slightly over hit ball into the box – of which there were many. However, they did find an equaliser as a result of an under hit goal kick which exposed the fact we were sitting too far up the pitch. A Palmers midfielder was able to pick up the ball unchallenged and play it back over the top for the striker, who reacted quickest and slide the ball under Lewis: 1-1.
Despite Palmers’ dominance, out of nowhere the Accies created a chance that could have made the last half hour even more frantic than it was. With Palmers committing men forward in search of the winner, Eye-Ball read and intercepted a pass just inside our half. The ball looped up in the air, and the rejuvenated left back (now over the frightening first 30 min display) gave chase, challenging the centre back in the air and forcing him into an under strength back pass which Tony was onto in a flash. He raced clear and, as the keeper came out to close down the angle, chose to try and play it round him into the bottom corner from 18 yards. Unfortunately Tony’s aim was out by a matter of centimetres, and the ball skimmed the outside of the post and went wide.
It may have seemed like our luck had run out, as soon after Harry had to join Lee (who had already been replaced by Craig) on the side line with an injury. With Luke A. somehow injuring himself standing around we had to play out the last 20-30min with 10 men. It was backs to the wall, with everyone getting stuck in. The defence were obviously busy, but they were ably supported by the midfield. Scott definitely hadn’t signed up for left wing-back duties, but worked his socks off and Liam took on the lead role in the middle of the park with both starting centre mids being side-lined.
We were fortunate that Palmers were finding the target harder to hit than the proverbial barn door, as balls were poked wide from eight yards, and headers were put over from six. But when they did get the ball between the sticks either a brave block was made or Lewis got to display his full range of skills to pluck, punch, kick and gather the ball out of the air.
The last ten minutes seemed to last a life-time, but when the final whistle eventually game it felt like a victory, as we had something to show for our efforts when everything seemed to be against us.
It’s no surprise that Lewis picked up his first MoTM of the season; his performances have been consistently good for a number of weeks and although he possibly had more to do than usual on this occasion, he was well up to the challenge. Robin and Blakey also received a number of votes, with a special mention for Rob, who thought he was going to only last half hour as he was struggling with a heavy cold. However, with others having doubts over fitness he wasn’t about to let the side down – we’d expect nothing less.
Dale’s absence and eleventh hour departure made him an easy target for DoTD – well he’s never had one so it was about time! However, there was no ill feeling or anger about his decision, which I think shows his former team mates (who remain his friends) realise that he had already done more for the club this season than had been expected. With the knowledge that he would be away until late November in Benidorm, Dale could have easily waited until his return to sign for a club. But he committed himself to the Accies and gave us more than the eight or so weeks we were expecting. At times, as another double hat-trick was completed, it felt like Dale was playing below himself, but over four and a half seasons and 90 appearances he ignored numerous advances and showed outstanding commitment and loyalty to the club. Much like cricket, it’s hard to compare the modern Accie player with those who played before the meticulous recording of stats began, but I think it’s safe to say that Dale deserves Club Legend status as the most prolific striker club has seen, and who knows where we’d be playing now without so many vital goals (and numerous assists). So I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing Dale all the best for the future, and hopefully we’ll get the chance to shake hands and say thank you in person.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 12th February - Away @ William Edwards School v Thames Gateway
Dale’s record (since 2012/13):
Goal scoring chart:
With Dale now out of the running, for the first time since Liam got within one goal of top spot in 2013/14 we have a proper contest for the Golden Boot. Tony will be looking to make the most of the games in which he can play, but with Foggy’s knee not looking like it’s going to allow him to play any time soon, Lee and Liam look like the bookies favourites.
No comments:
Post a Comment