Goals: Holden, Mohammed
A competitive but fair game on Pitch 2 versus a good set of lads. In the process I had a look at some new players and at least three showed they could play higher. 16 out of the 19 selected turned up so thanks to all who made the effort and helped me before and after the match.
Playing uphill in a 4-5-1 formation we gifted the oppo two-goal start due to sloppy defending.
OWs looked threatening every time they had possession and, despite, having a man spare in midfield, we were outplayed and outrun in the middle. We gave them too much time and space on the ball while our passing was woeful leading to few attempts on their goal. From a free-kick we pulled one back: Matt Brabon’s cross to the far stick was spilled by the keeper and Rian Holden prodded home. OWs scored a third but AP should have turned round 3-2 down but we missed a glorious chance right at the end of the half.
AP switched to 4-4-2 with Adnan and Fletch up top. We played better going downhill and
created lots of chances but OWs were still dangerous on the break. They scored again but Adnan did likewise converting Fletch’s cross. 2-4. Their fifth was a deflected shot and their sixth was a penalty. Still, to our credit we kept trying to play the right way but too many attempts at goal were from distance or right at their keeper. Considering we had lots of new faces and the disruption of rolling subs, I was mightily encouraged. There were lots of good performances from Steve Pollard, Mounir, Holden, Canga and Joyce, but Man of the Match was left back Matt Brabon (class).
Team: King, Bose, Bagley, S. Pollard, Brabon, Holden, Brobby, Basaran, Balasz, Mounir,
Fletcher. Subs: Canga, Joyce, Mohammed, Rose, Whitbread
