A positive start to the day as the lads were all ready to go and kitted up together in quick time, allowing Manager Holt to sort the team out early and leaving Skipper Meakin to run the warm up. The warm up was solid and put the team in the right frame of mind to start the game.
The first moral victory came in the coin toss, Adam took control and won it confidently allowing the teams to change sides and have the wind in our favour. As per usual the lads were asked to get the ball back very quick which they did.
A solid start from the boys transformed itself into a counter, Sam Ward won the ball comfortably at the back, took on one player and threaded the ball to Keiran who found Dave Evans who after taking on 2 players, unleased fury and hit the ball with real venom from 40 yards and somehow it found its way under the keeper for 1-0. A sensational goal. Coach and horses were in control but not playing fantastically well, communication was good but could have been better.
A Dave Farr free kick was seen just wide by the keeper, and a Rafferty Cross/shot was comfortably saved by their keeper. Not an eventful first half but a solid clean sheet for the lads.
The second half saw the coach take real control, Solidity at the back causing their strikers all sorts of problems, showing no signs of causing the Coach keeper any trouble. Around 70 minutes a kick from Holt saw its way to Nick Malkin who drove down the wing to whip in a cross which Keiran converted with his head to make it 2-0.
There were a few more chances in the second half with Sam ward unselfishly passing to Farr who hit it wide when really Ward should have gone himself. Also on a second occasion he could have shot with his weak foot but passed to evans and through a scramble lost the ball. Nick Malkin hit a free kick over the bar and Dave Evans missed a one on one. Homt made an important save at the end diving to his left to keep coach a clean sheet. A rash challenge cost him a yellow card with 15 mins left to play in the game
The subs came on and played well, Harnett playing the simple game at the back and communicating well, Tim Hall still coming back from injury running up and down the right wing playing through balls to the strikers, and Johnson commanding in the air and holding the ball up when necessary.
As for the starting XI for the coach, absolutely supurb. Each player battling hard, staying positive, backing each other up. Paterson and Ward at the back were solid today making Holt's day a lot easier. Ward and Paterson not losing out once to any header today. Rafferty playing solid and taking his chances given by the manager, looking to play the ball inside to midfield and getting rid when appropriate. Brine, composed on the ball and bringing the midfield into play when ever he could, as well as making a few runs.
In midfield, MOTM Pete walker, pulling the strings, making the team play to his tempo, strong in the tackle and linking up well with the other midfielders. Who needs SAS when you have Meakin and Malkin in the middle, battling all the time, running and commanding and communicating all the time.
Up top the creativity and determination of Farr, Evans and Gretrex always allow us to look like a threat in front of goal. As shown by the goal scorers. A fantastic day for the coach and manager Holt was proud of the team.
