A second defeat in a row for the 4s who lost 1-0 at the Racecourse to a well organized Broomfield. A few enforced changes saw Bates and Charlie Smith make their AP debuts along with Lambert and Earle playing in unfamiliar positions as left wing and striker respectively.
We started off defending down the hill with Lagos, playing against his former club, screening the back four of Smith, McGlogan, Gauci and Gregory. Broomfield got off to a strong start with some nice interplay between their strikers creating a couple of half chances. They took the lead about 10 mins in when a goalkick was headed back to their #7 who looked to curl one into the bottom corner. With McGlogan closing him down the ball deflected off his stomach to put some spin on the ball to creep in at the far post with Collins not able to get enough on it to keep it out.
Broomfield then took control for the next 10 mins creating a number of half chances before AP started to get a hold of the game with Lambert and Bates getting the ball on the ground and spreading the play out to the wings. While we had the majority of possession for the last 20 of the first half we lacked the final ball to make our superiority count with Asberg going the closest having a shot deflected over after some good work down the left from Earle.
We started the 2nd half with renewed confidence and pushed more men forward looking for an equaliser. We looked most dangerous attacking down the wings with Gregory, Smith and Lambert getting in some nice crosses but we were once again unable to get the final touch. Broomfield had a great chance to double their lead when a free kick was flung into the box with their skipper getting a great header which Collins managed to tip on the inside of the post with the ball then bouncing across the open goal and out for a corner. Our best chance came when Lagos picked up the ball about 35 yards out and drove into the box before unleashing a pile driver that cannoned back off the bar to deny him his Frank Lampard moment. The last 20 mins of the game saw Broomfield defend in numbers and looking to hit us on the break as we pushed more men forward. We had a couple more half chances with Bell and a decent penalty shout turned down for a foul on McGlogan but in the end were unable to get the equaliser.
A disappointing result but taking nothing away from Broomfield who defended well after taking the lead. With a largely new squad this season our early season results have been a let down however we have been playing well and having the majority of possession in our games and it is just a matter of time before things start to click and we get the results our performances have deserved.
Squad: Collins, Gauci, C.Smith, Gregory, McGlogan, Lagos, Biss, Bates, Lambert, Asberg, Earle. Subs: Bell, Kaya
MOM: Lambert
