A decent performance in parts, a disappointing result and two poor goals conceded.
They were first out of the blocks and quickly got into their stride. There was hardly time for us to catch our breath and we were one down. A free kick in a central position was driven straight down the middle. One of them nodded it on, it hit another on the shoulder and fell invitingly to a third who was two yards out and he smashed it past Bart fpr 1-0. The omens did not look good. Here was a side who had not conceded a goal in five, had won their last four and were one up with two minutes on the clock. We had a plan though. They were playing a very high line with Jed and Bennett especially playing on their shoulder. They did not look comfortable when the ball was played forward and we were looking to get back into it. In seven minutes we were level. They had a corner which was cleared to Jed near the half way line. He hooked it aound the corner to Bennett who ran thirty yards forward into the space with the ball at his feet. He got just inside the area and as the defender was thinking of a challenge hit it low and sweet across the keeper for 1-1. They had the wind knocked out or their sails but continued to press and looked dangerous from corners and set pieces with some good deliveries from Mowatt. Bart made a couple of decent punches but they continued to press but we held firm until the break with the scores even.
GR would have been pleased with the first half show but disappointed with the soft goal we conceded. Again they were first out of the blocks and pressed forward but we were not giving them much room. We pressed forward and a good Williams cross was met by Bennett to the near post but his header was saved. They also pressed forward and we had to defend solidly to keep them out. And then disaster struck. We cleared a corner but they lumped it back in. Hutch and Pearce went for the same ball 20 yards out, it looped into the box and their CB was there to smash it home for 2-1. It was time for change. On came Smith for Thompson and we tried really hard to get back into it. A free kick found its way to Molly on the left and his drilled cross was touched by their keeper and a defender and went off for a corner. Another cross from Molly soon after found Bennett but his header was over the top. Romeo pushed hard down the right and his deep cross found Smith who nodded it on to Bennett but it was just too far for him. More changes needed and on came Bod Fergie and Burey for Pearce, Bennett and Williams. We went four at the back. We pressed forward but they always got a foot in or nodded it clear. The final throw of the dice was Bradshaw for Jed but he hardly broke sweat as they saw out the added four minutes with no drama.
Bart stood little chance with the two goals but made some decent saves to keep the score down to two. Romeo defended well and bombed forward in support of the attack. Hutch was solid most of the time and Pearce was likewise. Evans defended well but his distribution was not as good as in recent games. Woods had a tidy game and Williams was similar. Ben was busy but again was very little threat. Jed had his moments but MOM went to Bennett. For a little bloke I did not realise that he could lead the line well, win headers against more lofty opponents and score such a good opportunist goal. Smith tried but caused little threat, Burey had little to do and Bod hardly broke sweat. Bradshaw's kit will not need washing as I don't think he touched the ball.
All in all it was better than I expected. If we had got thumped 3-0 I would not have been surprised. As it was, we put up a reasonable show, conceded two poor goals, scored one decent one ourselves but could not really match their energy levels. Now we have to pick ourselves up for Preston on Tuesday.
They were first out of the blocks and quickly got into their stride. There was hardly time for us to catch our breath and we were one down. A free kick in a central position was driven straight down the middle. One of them nodded it on, it hit another on the shoulder and fell invitingly to a third who was two yards out and he smashed it past Bart fpr 1-0. The omens did not look good. Here was a side who had not conceded a goal in five, had won their last four and were one up with two minutes on the clock. We had a plan though. They were playing a very high line with Jed and Bennett especially playing on their shoulder. They did not look comfortable when the ball was played forward and we were looking to get back into it. In seven minutes we were level. They had a corner which was cleared to Jed near the half way line. He hooked it aound the corner to Bennett who ran thirty yards forward into the space with the ball at his feet. He got just inside the area and as the defender was thinking of a challenge hit it low and sweet across the keeper for 1-1. They had the wind knocked out or their sails but continued to press and looked dangerous from corners and set pieces with some good deliveries from Mowatt. Bart made a couple of decent punches but they continued to press but we held firm until the break with the scores even.
GR would have been pleased with the first half show but disappointed with the soft goal we conceded. Again they were first out of the blocks and pressed forward but we were not giving them much room. We pressed forward and a good Williams cross was met by Bennett to the near post but his header was saved. They also pressed forward and we had to defend solidly to keep them out. And then disaster struck. We cleared a corner but they lumped it back in. Hutch and Pearce went for the same ball 20 yards out, it looped into the box and their CB was there to smash it home for 2-1. It was time for change. On came Smith for Thompson and we tried really hard to get back into it. A free kick found its way to Molly on the left and his drilled cross was touched by their keeper and a defender and went off for a corner. Another cross from Molly soon after found Bennett but his header was over the top. Romeo pushed hard down the right and his deep cross found Smith who nodded it on to Bennett but it was just too far for him. More changes needed and on came Bod Fergie and Burey for Pearce, Bennett and Williams. We went four at the back. We pressed forward but they always got a foot in or nodded it clear. The final throw of the dice was Bradshaw for Jed but he hardly broke sweat as they saw out the added four minutes with no drama.
Bart stood little chance with the two goals but made some decent saves to keep the score down to two. Romeo defended well and bombed forward in support of the attack. Hutch was solid most of the time and Pearce was likewise. Evans defended well but his distribution was not as good as in recent games. Woods had a tidy game and Williams was similar. Ben was busy but again was very little threat. Jed had his moments but MOM went to Bennett. For a little bloke I did not realise that he could lead the line well, win headers against more lofty opponents and score such a good opportunist goal. Smith tried but caused little threat, Burey had little to do and Bod hardly broke sweat. Bradshaw's kit will not need washing as I don't think he touched the ball.
All in all it was better than I expected. If we had got thumped 3-0 I would not have been surprised. As it was, we put up a reasonable show, conceded two poor goals, scored one decent one ourselves but could not really match their energy levels. Now we have to pick ourselves up for Preston on Tuesday.
disappointed but let's crack on with the next game,COYL
