Saturday 5th January 2008

Appletree 3-0 Bridgwater Sports Colts

Team:

Subs:

Scorers:

Dream Team Ratings:

Donkey of the Week:

Wanker of the Week:

Man of the Match:

2008 began with hope and expectation of good times ahead for the Bridgwater Sports Colts.  This confidence had been built up after just one league defeat sees them sitting in pole position at the top of the league, at the half way stage of the season.  Performances had steadily improved during that time and had reached a level at the end of 2007 which the rest of the division were struggling to compete with.  So the day began with a run through of the reasons why we had become THE team of the division and the causes behind it.  However, the talk was tempered by the fact that as far as the management were concerned, the team was only as good as their next game, and again with a full squad of 16 to choose from, this is also how each player would be assessed; And despite having no league game over the Christmas period, there would be no excuses for a slow start, as it was vital that we quickly re-established the winning momentum we had previously gained.

The squad was close to full strength with Olly and Jordan returning on the bench after lengthy absences, and even though Gazza was recovering from the flu it was reassuring, even at 80% fitness, to have him between the sticks. The days opponents, Appletree, were a keen, ambitious side who had achieved some good results during the season, sitting 4th in the table, and would provide a stern challenge on their own ground, but the Colts side left their HQ in eager mood to get back to business. 

The Appletree pitch is a big pitch with one of the steepest slopes in the league.  As such most games played there are a tale of two halves, and having won the toss the Colts elected to defend up the hill for the first 45mins.  Following the break and on a heavy, tiring pitch; to defend while fresh and not having to defend the inevitable onslaught in the closing stages seemed the best option.

The game began and, as could be expected, it was clear that the Colts defence would not be getting a gentle welcome into the New Year.  The Appletree strikers formed a classic Crouch and Owen type partnership, ideally suited to the conditions and giving a number of options in attack, although the long ball looking for the flick on appeared to be favourite.  It would be vital that we worked hard to keep hold of the ball when in possession and pressurised the opposition into mistakes when they had it.  Unfortunately, as a team, the Colts were not performing well enough to help the defence, to give them any rest bite where ball retention would be a vital aid but sadly was not on show.  On the few occasions when our hurried clearances from the back found our own players, they soon obliged to give procession back to the opposition

Despite this it still took Appletree 25 mins to make their procession count and even then it took a wonder strike to score.  ‘Owen’ received the ball 30 yrds out with his back to goal, chested the ball up and then managed to turn and hit a dipping volley down the hill and over the despairing Gazza for 1-0.

The goal had little effect on the either side.  From the Colts there was plenty of running around, but the team looked like strangers and as a result frustration was taking over.  However, their performance was unlikely to get any worse and if they could hang on in there, a one goal deficit at half time would be more than acceptable, given the circumstances, and fortunately this was achieved.

It was now felt that the Colts had the advantage and it was a case of putting the first half performance behind and facing the second half with renewed confidence.  It would also be necessary for the team to leave their frustrations behind and start the second half with a more helpful encouraging team spirit to produce a happier and more confident performance.

The second half began and, as could be expected, it was now the Appletree defence that was feeling the pressure.  For 15-20 mins there was a barrage of corners and crosses into the opposition’s area which was under siege from the now dangerous looking Colts, who seemed certain to take full advantage of the conditions now in their favour.

However, disaster was next to strike, with the key moment in the game.  After 20 mins the Colts were forced back into their own half, for probably the first time in the half and that was only to take a throw in.  Whether the players felt they could grab a quick breather after their long attacking onslaught, but everyone just switched off for a few moments.  From the thrower to the intended receiver, as the ball fell easily at the feet of the opposition, to the defenders who stood still as the resultant cross was met unchallenged by Owen who cleverly dinked the ball over Gazza from close range in front of goal to make it 2-0. 

The sports were left shell shocked, whereas Appletree were on cloud nine.  This change in psychology made the game much more of a 50:50 battle, even in the conditions.  Unlike the first half where Appletree’s back five were willing and, quite effectively, able to link up in attack, the second half saw them all sit deep and resolutely firm with no intention of venturing forward, and although it was the Colts who were doing the pressing any chances created were being snuffled out.  Then with time running out, and to add insult to injury, Appletree mounted a rare attack and found their own defence splitting ball, for their attacker to run through onto and complete the scoring at 3-0.

It was a well deserved win from a better team in all departments on the day, who had benefited from a clear strategy and good discipline on such a testing pitch.  On this performance the Colts progress appeared to have deteriorated by 4 months and left management coveting mid week training facilities.

The disappointment felt back in the changing room was genuine and almost tangible, and the measure of how far the team had come, and the standards they were now setting themselves, but this was not a match for reflection.  It will surely go down as an insignificant blip and will hopefully soon be forgotten.  All that it does is make the next match, another similarly difficult trip away to Exmoor Rangers, a key fixture if we are to stay on track in the pursuit of the title.

Final Score:     3-0                  

Scorers:          None    

Team – inc. Dream Team Ratings

G. Howes         7         

N. Criddle         8         

C. Savage        8                      *Man – a sound performance in difficult conditions

A. Walford       8         

M. Hill                8         

K. Curren         7

I. Selway         7         

S. Frost           7

S. Smith          7

J. Gardner        7         

S. Redman       7         

Subs:                          

O. Townsend    7

A. Clapp          7

J. Meaker         7

L. Birch           Unused

L. Dodden        Unused

Donkey:          O. Townsend    - Getting lost on the way, taking a shot that went backwards, and                    trying and failing to wipe out an opposition player despite having              3 attempts while the player barely changed position!

W**ker:          S. Smith          -  Asking to come off due to lack of confidence, then wanting to                                   stay on after a good run and shot!