On Sunday evening, we played the third of our 5 SSLKL Cup Group matches and welcomed back Bar Flies to EP. Some high quality and vital saves from Sugu in the first half and a strong second half performance from the entire team ensured we ultimately ran out comfortable winners.
The game was preceded a heavy rain shower which left standing water on many parts of the pitch. The conditions prevented any cultured football and both sides struggled to maintain possession and create good chances early on. Bar Flies began the game with 10 men and we made our advantage count, playing most of the early part of the half in their end of the pitch.
The Bar Flies got an eleventh player on the park after 15 minutes and had a good spell which created several good chances for them. We got caught flat at the back a few times and the pace of their strikers created some one on ones with our keeper. To his credit, Sugu made 3 great stops to keep the scores level. Had he not done so, this game could have turned out differently for us. We started getting the subs on after about 25 - 30 minutes and they made an immediate impact. Bala helped us to win more ball in the middle of the park and used it well. Ragu's steadying influence helped solidify the back line. We pushed forward in the ten minutes before half-time and finished the half on top but did not break the deadlock.
We talked at half time about taking the difficult surface out of it and playing balls over the top for the strikers and wide midfielders to run on to. We also spoke about getting the ball in the box early and often believing that if we did this a defensive error - inevitable on this unpredictable surface - would present us with a goal scoring opportunity. And indeed it was a defensive error which presented us with the chance to go one up.
After about 10 minutes, Stu Caven's ball from the left flank bounced and skidded off the slippery surface which completely flummoxed their defender. This put Adam through on goal with only the keeper to beat. With empty net beckoning both sides of the keeper, Adam decided to squeeze it through the keepers legs. The ball made it's way under the keeper - who looked like he was trying to stop the ball by sitting on it - and just about across the line to put us 1-0 up. They all count, Ad.
After about 15 minutes of the second half Terry Harris was put clean through on goal only to be felled by the last defender and win us a penalty. Up stepped Big Stef Lammert who fired the ball into the bottom left corner. Not satisfied, the ref ordered the pen to retaken; same result, 2-0 and I believe we have a new penalty taker. Tom Sarginson was by now back on for his second spell and immediately forced a great stop from the keeper with a left foot shot which skimmed the surface. And he was to get his goal only minutes later after a break on the right gave him the time and space required to slot the ball home from close range.
The scoring was completed by a great piece of skill and strike from Terry Harris. A dink over the top from midfield allowed Terry to get behind the defence. He controlled the ball with his chest and unleashed a right foot drive from a tight angle which whistled past the keeper. The Bar Flies rarely ventured into our half of the field and we kept a morale boosting clean sheet. 4-0 is how it ended.
This was a good performance and I expect us to build on this as we continue to play good quality football and force our way up the league table. Well done to all 15 players, each of which had a good run and made valuable contributions.
I thought the ref had a very good performance. From the start of the game, he didn't give unnecessary free kicks for people falling under minimal contact and this helped to ensure the game flowed. His only mistake was - of course - booking me for a sliding tackle executed with nothing short of clinical precision. I thought I'd persuaded him to rescind the yellow card, but it was not be, so there goes my New Year's Resolution. Back to normal next week. The match was largely played in good spirits and we maintained a positive atmosphere amongst our team.
Interestingly, after the match one of the Bar Flies players warned me that 'I'd better not write any rubbish on our blog this time'. He was seemingly upset at the match report I wrote for our previous fixture. I hope that he likes this one better.
We have no competitive game next weekend but Stu Cavens will arrange a friendly for us for Sunday evening. I'll send details of this out as it's confirmed - for now, reserve your Sunday evening for a 5pm Kick Off at EP. Despite the festivities this week, we'll still have our training session at Sports Plaza on Thursday. I look forward to seeing you all there.
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