Ifs & Buts

First home game of the season and Broomfield were our guests.  As always another tough game but we are playing well right now.

As the squad assembled it was clear all was not well with at least 5 boys under the weather or not 100%.

KO the boys went straight to work and forced a corner, the ball delivered with pinpoint accuracy but the keeper caught it only to fumble it and Liam pounced 1-0 with less than 2 minutes on the clock.

We were getting plenty of chances and a free kick saw Aidan send in a stinging shot with the keeper pulling off a super save.

Broomfield are a big strong side and as the game unfolded the injuries started to become more apparent.  We were struggling to keep boys on the pitch.

14 mins in and they scored a scrappy equaliser.

Jamie, who had been unwell overnight could not keep going and had to come off and would be sorely missed as he is a quality player.  Still you have to make do.  James was also struggling, feeling unwell but soldiered on.

The midfield unit were working very hard and Dominic put a ball through for Aidan who challenged for the ball, coming out on top and hit a thunderous strike – superb goal 2-1 after 27 mins.

We made it to half time but the team were literally falling apart, not only from feeling unwell but also from some of the challenges which were a bit over the top.

Second half – we knew it would be even tougher.  Dom was brought down in the penalty box and got up to take – not his best effort and the keeper tipped it onto the bar still 2-1.

Aidan off, Jamie off, Lewis injured, Jye injured, Alex off colour, James not feeling well – it was all too much for some of the boys.  Frustrating for us knowing they were poorly but trying to give their all.  Trying to soak up the pressure but to no avail we conceded the equaliser.  Dominic again on the rough end of a challenge, a brutal challenge at that, played on.  We were definitely hanging on at the end and with injury time being played, a corner saw them nick all 3 points.

I was very proud of the boys efforts today but I feel we did not play well and were beaten by illness and injury rather than a better side – fear nothing.  MoM Dominic -well played today, I know you didn’t feel 100% and on the rough end of a few challenges but always got up and ran on.

There were a lot of ifs and buts in this game and I never thought we would go unbeaten the whole season nor will any other team in this league.  We must pick ourselves up dust ourselves down and get on with the next game – another tough one no doubt.

Fabio