Squad

Lawrence
Jim
Rob
Colin
Gordon
Toony
Les
Chris

On the face of it we conceded 2 goals less than last season, we scored 2 goals more than last season, we got 1 more point than last season, but although we are certainly not disappointed with the performance it could have been so different.

We started off really well keeping the ball, with some crisp passing, movement and possession forcing our opponents to concede a number of free kicks, mostly for over head infringements although some of the tackling was also borderline.

Top scorer from last season Les was quick to burst in to life with an opportunistic strike when the ball fell at his feet, his fierce drive beat the home keeper all ends up crashing in off the underside of the crossbar. It was soon 2 nil as Colin combined with Les to brilliantly set him up for his second of the game.

We had numerous chances to score a third before half time but unfortunately we were unable to take them and this was ultimately to be our undoing. It was probably one of our best first half performances especially against a very good Ashford team. Although we kept it tight and worked extremely hard we still had to be thankful to our ever reliable last line of defence in Lawrence, who made one exceptional save turning the ball round the post.

The second half began and we still had control but bit by bit the home team started to put us under pressure with a bit more adventure than the first half, we increasingly had trouble clearing our lines and ended up probably playing a bit too deep.

Both the goals we conceded were slightly unfortunate with slight deflections, although Lawrence could get finger tips to both efforts we were level in the match. In between the goals we did feel a bit hard done by as some particularly rough treatment handed out to Les, on another occasion a sin bin would and probably should have followed.

So with 5 minutes to go and the scores level we strived for the winner but it was not to happen, the home team seemed relieved to hear the final whistle and the points were shared.

A really good performance tonight, we kept it pretty tight at the back, tenacious in midfield and lively up front with good combinations throughout the team, we can take a lot of confidence moving forward.

Something about this location seems to bring the best out of Toony and Colin back in midfield makes us much more solid and difficult to beat.

Onwards and upwards everyone with another tough away game at Woodnesborough next.