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Rob Smallwood
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
 Posted - 19/11/2007 : 12:34:35
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With Fletcher Moss near the top and the Metros rooted firmly at the bottom only the most optimistic saw any chance of an upset - and they would have been brought down to earth in the first 15 minutes.
On the positive side we had 11 players, welcoming back Eddie from a long term injury - and whilst still not 100% it was great to see him back.
The Metros kicked off in to the stiffish easterly wind with the intention of keeping it tight for as long as possible - but in reality they really just couldn't get a foothold in the first half.
Too many times they either missed tackles or stood off Fletcher Moss, and as we have discovered all season you just cannot afford to do either.
Fletcher Moss played some nice football, without really looking that good, but they were just too good for the Metros. The midfield seemed to get lost, neither supporting the back four whilst defending nor supporting Eddie & Joe up front on the few occasions that we managed to put pressure on the Moss defence.
The goals we conceded had a disappointing sense of deja-vu attached - allowing time and space too often, and allowing the back four to become overwhelmed meant that by half time the game was over as a contest with Fletcher Moss five goals to the good. ( 5 - 0  )
In fairness to the Metros they recovered a bit in the second half, aided by the wind and some good counter attacking football but failed to create any really clear cut chances, although Patrick did have a well struck effort disallowed.
Eddie had good game up front, but needed more support.
At the other end Fletcher Moss were restricted in their chances, and although they scored another three goals, at least one was clearly offside. To only lose the second half 3 - 0 (or 2 - 0!) was a great effort considering that there were no subs to give players a rest and two players had to battle on with injuries.
We play Fletcher Moss at home next week in the return fixture. If we play as we did in the second half, and everyone does their bit I think we can give them a real scare.
It is really tough on these lads - it is not easy to keep getting beaten, and well beaten at that. They are showing a great deal of courage, which they now need to augment with some belief and desire.
Champagne Moment: Patrick's disallowed shot.
Man of the Match - Eddie - seems to have come back a better player - we might just nobble his other hamstring!
Parent's Man of the Match: See below (i hope)
Referee: 5/10 - Wanted an early start as he had other things to do - and clearly lost interest towards the end.
Team homework: Adding to the squad.
Squad: Luke, Joe, Calum, Jonathon, Hash, Matty, Patrick,Tom, Kenny, Harry & Eddie.
Rob
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Edited by - Rob Smallwood on 19/11/2007 14:19:17 |
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Nick Rigden
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
54 Posts |
Posted - 19/11/2007 : 12:47:35
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Obviously being so used to having less than 11, it was inevitable that you'd miss someone from the squad list - Tom in this instance - and yes it took me a while to work out who!
More later .... |
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Rob Smallwood
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 19/11/2007 : 14:19:48
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Sorry Tom - you'd think I'd have got the hang of this by now!!
Rob |
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Nick Rigden
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
54 Posts |
Posted - 19/11/2007 : 21:17:37
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(Not very) Interestingly, the League web-site is currently reporting the score as 7-0. It was 6-0 earlier today. Fletcher Moss (on their web-site) seem to think it was 9-0! Not that it much matters.
This was always going to be a tough fixture, and anything other than a defeat was always unlikely, but the team has to try and recapture the spirit they showed against Deans if they are to get anything from matches like this.
What they can do is to take heart from the way they responded in the second half. This is the sort of attitude we need to see at the start of the match, not at the start of the second half, however. If they do that I’m confident that we will see a much improved performance in the next few matches.
I know, and they know, hopefully, that they can play much better than this result suggests.
As for Man of the Match? Eddie for me also, by a fair distance, even with an injury (hope it’s not too sore today Ed!). It’s a shame that he returned on a day when the form of several of the others seemingly deserted them.
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Fletcher Moss 8 - 0 Metros Sun 18th November
