Aveley Academicals 0 - 7 FC Deportivo Thurrock

For two sides who, over a number of years, have always been evenly matched and been involved in some titanic battles to exchange thrashings of this scale suggests something was not right on both occasions.  I mentioned in the report of our 0-8 victory that Deportivo were a weaker side than we'd been used to facing, and whilst it seems they have now sorted out their squad and improved as the season has gone on, the Accies have gone the other way and are struggling to find eleven players let alone name a consistent team.  With that in mind it is perhaps not so surprising that the shoe was very much on the other foot, with Deportivo enacting what must have felt like sweet revenge, and totally humiliating their opponents in the process.

Although the squad (or lack of) issues was obviously a contributing factor - the score line wouldn't have looked quite so bad if Lewis could have been replaced after picking up an injury during the first goal that mean he couldn't lift one of his arms - those who were there can make no excuses for a performance in which we were second best in every facet of the game.  We lost every header, were second to every ball, let the opposition run through us without putting in a tackle, couldn't string any passes together, looked woefull in both attack and defense, and didn't play for each other.

Credit where it is due though to our opposition; they were obviously up for this game, and sensing our weakness they fully capitalised.  They scored some really good goals, including a couple of long range efforts (which Lewis assures me he would have saved if he could have lifted his right arm), a powering header from an inch perfect cross, and a sublime dink over Lewis as he came out to close down the angle.  Overall, they created good chances and took them, and the score line fully confirms their dominance.

There isn't much more I want to say about this game, but it should be pointed out that we looked really good for the first ten minutes; we passed the ball well, kept possession and looked relaxed and confident.  Then we conceded a soft goal and it all fell apart!  Of the other incidents that are worth mentioning, there was a chance for Terry to get the score back to 1-1 almost immediately but he skewed his shot wide after a mazy run into the box.  Also, one battle that was won by an Accie was by Eye-Ball, as a nasty clash of heads left both men spouting blood, but only one able to continue. (It might have been the only header we won as well!)  Also, with the squad creaking at the seams, the Gaffa is already trying to identify new recruits for next season - we just hope seeing this performance won't put potential new players off!

MoTM votes were split between the central pairing of H and Lee, with H just edging it.  They both put in a hell of a shift, but for much of the game were left chasing shadows, or running in circles looking for someone to pass the ball to.  The decision was taken to award DoTD to the entire squad, which reflects the fact that we're all in this together and so if you weren't there (valid excuse or not) this was as much your humiliating defeat as it was those who had to witness it.

You know what they say about every cloud, and although we'd obviously love to erase this game from our memories, maybe it will act as a catalyst to fire us up to regain some pride as the season draws to an end.

Eye-Ball

Goal scoring chart