“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”– Helen Keller
Once again we were up against a well organised well disciplined and drilled Civil Service team that took their chances and punished us.
This was always going to be an up hill task especially after having a week with no match in between the Civil service games, We needed to feel confident about ourselves and about the way we play, I was pleased that we managed to hold things together for 35 minutes before the Civil team struck it was a well taken goal that our keeper had no chance of stopping, their movement around the pitch was crisp and showed that this team knew how to exploit a very wide pitch while we struggled although employing two wide players, we just could not get the ball wide quickly enough or provide adequate support for Ozan up front.
This was disappointing as prior to the game we spoke about roles and tasks as a team and individually, with everyone in a good frame of mind to compete and do well.
We had conjured up one chance before The Civil struck again, a flash of a strike by Alex Patterson that went inches wide; I believe a goal would have made a big difference to the teams mentally and confidence.
With a minutes to go before the end of the first half the Civil Service struck again to score their second goal, defensively it was a weak clearance and lack of concentration that lead to the goal. We went in disappointed but not despondent.
Much of the second saw the Alexandra team take the game to the Civil service but we struggled to get bodies forward and found it harder to breakdown a very strong defence, Civil struck home again with what I must say a very well taken goal, that our keeper Martin Smith just could not reach, I must say Martin put in a good performance despite the goals and was carrying a foot injury, it would have surely had have been more if it was not for him.
3 – 0 down and I was pleased that the team continued to battle and to work hard, things were just not working out for us but they stuck to the task and tried where I believe many would have folded, with a few minutes to go the Civil scored their fourth goal against a battle weary Alexandra team.
At half time we talked about giving it all for the second half which I believed the team did, we as I said before were up against a very good team and I believe we can take valuable lessons from this and the previous game against them for our home game later in the season and our next game.
Our main focus will now be back on the league looking to gain some consistency in our play, we have a mammoth task ahead of us. I am confident in the players and that they all have a desire to play well and play for the team whatever role it involves, unity is important as it is the bond that binds a successful team together.
My man of the match goes to Sly for an outstanding performance he was a rock in the centre of the park his tireless work and commitment was an example to all around.
We now face a massive game against a Weirside Rangers team that are third in the table at the moment and look to play well and get a result.
BBB
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
~ Henry Ford
