Pedger HERO of the hour!
What a game! What a result, about time too! Took them 45 minutes but
they did it. First goal of the season, first win in the term!!
ONE NIL! OOONNNE NILL! ONE NIL, ONE NIL!...
The improvement shown last week continued today and the team was
rewarded with their first win.
From the kick off it was obvious that the team were on their best form
so far, "Deep penetration!", also desperate for their first win this
season, were not much of a threat to our boys in red. The team who have
been in the league before, but can't be bothered to get a proper strip,
didn't show any signs of being a walk over but the REDS were obviously
the better side.
They attacked with more force and defended much harder than in previous
games. Weakest area is finishing! They had plenty of shots on goal but
plenty went astray! Some good saves made but often their keeper wasn't
stretched too far.
First attack in the first five minutes, the ball was worked up to their
end, up the right wing by Sick boy, then with a shot on the edge of the
area, only the keeper left to beat, Mark "Bakeoyoko" Aylmer (I'm sure he
will correct the spelling here but he knows what I mean) completely miss
hit it and sent it to the right of the goal. Down on his arse he went,
disgraced!
More chances came and went, Ali, Francis, Pete and Mark all guilty of
missing shots. All the same, the attacks did keep coming. And the
defence was much improved. Some great challenges came in from all our
players, most of whom then managed to keep possession and push back the
other way. They chased down players, pressured them into making a
mistakes. The best tackle of the day though was from Tom. Second half
one player broke down towards the right wing then came towards the goal
he was setting himself up for a good shot on goal but Tom slid in round
him at the edge of the area and took the ball away from him never
touched the other player even after the ball was away.
Chambers was on form in goal in the first half, blocked the few shots on
target well and there was one cracking save as they got their best
attempt all game. It was struck well from the right win and was going in
beautifully to the left of Richard who was covering the near side post
but he had the reach and put in wide of the post, first class! (Though
I've got to say that as it's his web site I post this on and I don't
want him to drop it.)
OK now down to the goal. The whole match went goal less as our team
couldn't finish and "Deep penetration" (NO sexual innuendo here!)
couldn't break free to shot well. After 40 minutes (not including the
extra time attempted to be added at the end of each half, cheating
buggers!) the two teams were drawn. It wasn't exactly in the run of play
as we should have been several goals up but never mind. The Reds were
happy to settle for a draw and take 1 point for their trouble, but DP
wanted, foolishly if you ask me as they had had only a few shots on
goal, to play golden goal extra time. It was agreed.
Now the Heroes WERE dominant. In the extra time they were the only team
to get attack. Several runs were made, Mark, Francis, even James, a
recent addition to the team and not worth the money paid for him, had
great chances and all missed.
Enter Pete, already having had a few chances and kept a clean sheet for
ten minutes in goal. The Heroes found themselves in the left wing
(attacking left) ball at Pete's feet, several defenders beaten, Jersey
to the right but marked, took the shot himself. Struck well, it lifted
to chest height, went between the keeper and the left post. First goal
of the season and three points richer. Brilliant.
Man of the Match: Very difficult to decide, Pete most obvious for his
excellent goal, Tom had some good defending, Mark definitely NOT, nor
James, Chambers made some good saves. I can't decide! The thing that won
it for them today was team work. They passed better and ran better.
Biggest surprise of the Match: Is Mark a Gentleman after all?
At one point in the match he had the ball at his feet, he was then
challenged by one of their players but the guy fell down as Mark tried
to get past him and Mark ended up booting the ball in to him while he
was on the floor and Mark, ball still at his feet, quite loudly said "Oh
Fuck, sorry mate!" and was then tackled by someone else, loosing the
ball. Now we all thought he didn't have manners! Maybe he is a sports
man at heart.
So it appears that we have and exponential improvement on our hands. The
new training technique used this week seems to work. Instead of going to
the fields to practice themselves yesterday, the Guv'nor took them all
down to the pub to watch a proper team play, it's just a pity it is the
last game of the season!
Next week our boys will score 3 at least. COME ON GUY'S let's get this
goal difference down!!
Editor and Chief this week: T. Blair.
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