Match Report

Away to Penhill Standard, the joys. A pre-match tea and discussion between Des and Stew and the plan was set.

With Ivor Swatton in goal, back four of Joe Lipton, Sam Evans, Steve Blanchard and Colin Brazier, midfield of Lawrence Smith, Steve Viner, Stuart Gaylor and Paul Edwards with Pete Morton and Mike Seymour up front. Tom Hughes and Neil Smith on the bench gave us options when making tactical decisions of pure brilliance (more to come on that later).

We started the game brightly with Stuart settling in well in the middle of the park, and Sam looking comfortable at centre back. We were controlling the game and lacking the penetration but looked good for a win. Then a glorious chance falls in the box to Pete Morton, I think the wind blew or it hit a bobble but somehow it went over (by quite a bit actually). Half time came quickly with little incidents of note. Tom replaced the injured Lawrence on the left, getting into the action quickly.

Des''s inspirational words and we go out for the second half. We were still keeping the ball well, controlling the game and looking in control. Still looking for a breakthrough we pressed at a corner on the hour mark, looking for that goal. And indeed the goal came. The Penhill forward broke away, looked to have gone too far wide to threaten us so crossed tamely, only to see his cross turned into our own net by a defender. 1-0 down.

We pushed forward and won a penalty, their keeper''s moment of madness was our slice of luck we''d been waiting for! And so Pete steps up, cool as you like slides it to the keeper’s right. Unfortunately the keeper went to his right. Bugger. It wasn''t possible was it?? Were we having one of those days??

Des threw in the towel, broke the bad news that he had to go, and had a hot dinner date.

And so for the moment of tactical genius. No not Des using Brut Aquatonic instead of the usual Hi Karate.

The two replacement coaches came up with a plan. They moved Joe to the wing and brought on Neil. Almost instantly (probably 5 secs after the change) Joe worked his way up the line to win a corner. Another great delivery and Mike turned it into the net with style, 1-1. The two coaches look at each other and nod in agreement, job well done!

Before they had a chance to recover we pushed on again, chasing the victory.

A cross falls to Pete at the far post, and he crosses the ball back into the danger area (so he tells us, after seeing his shooting we have to question.) and Mike again slots home. Two cool finishes and its 2-1. The two coaches are now caught in excitement and hug and jump for joy like giddy school boys. The job done, the game rescued.

Contrary to the report Pete Morton played a blinder, all those things going against him and he kept working and running for the team, we still love you Pete. Other performances of note were Sam in the middle, looking for relaxed and composed. Joe on the right with fantastic distribution and work rate.

A job done, 3 points, good performance and I believe Des got lucky at the Bingo Hall.