A tight and aggressive game where they just had the edge for most of the time.
We began well and it was clear from the off that we were up for it big time. Everybody was covering the gaps, getting their foot in and running for their lives. They had talent to burn and we had to keep our shape, retain a strong focus and keep our wits about us just to keep in the game. There were some strong challenges and Cooper and Leonard quickly saw yellow for some strong arm stuff. It took us a good fifteen minutes to get a shot away. A long ball to Oba was knocked down to Flem and his firm shot was straight at the keeper. They looked a threat down their left and we had to keep them out. Cooper made a couple more aggressive challenges and he was lucky not to get a second yellow and be off for an early bath. Then they got their breakthrough. Gnonto looked lively and he forced his way to the edge of our box, hit a worldly which flew past Shark. He stood no chance. We continued to be aggressive and deny them space but still Honeyman and Flem got yellows. Shark made a great save from Summerville just before the break and the half ended with them in front. There was much speculation that Cooper might not come out for the second half but he did appear.
We picked up where we had left off but it was clear that with yellow cards stacking up and player fatigue was having an effect so we made four subs on 62. Off came Billy, BNC, Leonard and Honeyman and on came Casper, Watmore, Longman and Danny. The fresh legs gave us a lift and we really started to come into the game. Longman played a good ball inside to Danny but his shot was over. On 67 we got a corner and it came to Sav just outside the box. His shot rebounded to Cooper but his hooked effort went wide. Oba had a wriggle on the edge of the box but his shot was over. They had a break down our right, their attacker just got by Tango and his low cross was met by James who scored for 2-0. To our credit we did not give up. A cross by Longman was saved by their keeper but the flag went up for offside. A good lay off by Oba was met by Flem who shot straight at the keeper. They brought on four subs near the death and despite the added 6 minutes they held on for a win which took them to the top of the league.
Shark played very well and could do little to keep out either of their goals. Leonard was aggressive and played well. Tango and Cooper were similar and Joe was solid on the left. Billy played a defensive midfield role and played it well. His partner Sav had a bit more about him and tackled hard as well as delivering some decent free kicks. Honeyman was loud and forceful and BNC had some moments. Flem played his part in our second half improvement and Oba had some moments and chances but came back inside too many times. Casper was star of the subs. He added quality to the middle, Danny added some bite on the right, Longman added some crosses but Watmore didn’t do too much.
Nobody was disgraced but our second half performance after the subs looked more attacking compared with the first half. They are a top side and we gave our best but they had a bit more quality all over the park and their edge took them over the line.
We began well and it was clear from the off that we were up for it big time. Everybody was covering the gaps, getting their foot in and running for their lives. They had talent to burn and we had to keep our shape, retain a strong focus and keep our wits about us just to keep in the game. There were some strong challenges and Cooper and Leonard quickly saw yellow for some strong arm stuff. It took us a good fifteen minutes to get a shot away. A long ball to Oba was knocked down to Flem and his firm shot was straight at the keeper. They looked a threat down their left and we had to keep them out. Cooper made a couple more aggressive challenges and he was lucky not to get a second yellow and be off for an early bath. Then they got their breakthrough. Gnonto looked lively and he forced his way to the edge of our box, hit a worldly which flew past Shark. He stood no chance. We continued to be aggressive and deny them space but still Honeyman and Flem got yellows. Shark made a great save from Summerville just before the break and the half ended with them in front. There was much speculation that Cooper might not come out for the second half but he did appear.
We picked up where we had left off but it was clear that with yellow cards stacking up and player fatigue was having an effect so we made four subs on 62. Off came Billy, BNC, Leonard and Honeyman and on came Casper, Watmore, Longman and Danny. The fresh legs gave us a lift and we really started to come into the game. Longman played a good ball inside to Danny but his shot was over. On 67 we got a corner and it came to Sav just outside the box. His shot rebounded to Cooper but his hooked effort went wide. Oba had a wriggle on the edge of the box but his shot was over. They had a break down our right, their attacker just got by Tango and his low cross was met by James who scored for 2-0. To our credit we did not give up. A cross by Longman was saved by their keeper but the flag went up for offside. A good lay off by Oba was met by Flem who shot straight at the keeper. They brought on four subs near the death and despite the added 6 minutes they held on for a win which took them to the top of the league.
Shark played very well and could do little to keep out either of their goals. Leonard was aggressive and played well. Tango and Cooper were similar and Joe was solid on the left. Billy played a defensive midfield role and played it well. His partner Sav had a bit more about him and tackled hard as well as delivering some decent free kicks. Honeyman was loud and forceful and BNC had some moments. Flem played his part in our second half improvement and Oba had some moments and chances but came back inside too many times. Casper was star of the subs. He added quality to the middle, Danny added some bite on the right, Longman added some crosses but Watmore didn’t do too much.
Nobody was disgraced but our second half performance after the subs looked more attacking compared with the first half. They are a top side and we gave our best but they had a bit more quality all over the park and their edge took them over the line.
