Even before the week’s events this one was a massive game. But with Corie not playing Manor Reds felt they had the edge. Rob Gray started in midfield with Dom, with Sam Graney in at centre back. Team manager Rob had unavoidable work commitments and missed the game which always has an effect on the team.
The early stages of the game were very even with neither team creating clear cut chances. The Reds were playing a more physical game and began to get on top in the middle of the park. Cammy was dropping back to give the Reds an extra body in midfield which more than Dom and Rob could handle even though they were both playing well. On 35 minutes Cammy’s hard work paid off as he collected the ball in midfield, twisted and turned through the defence and shot high into the corner of the net to give the Reds a 1-0 half-time lead.
Changes were made at half time to try to regain the middle, Rob went to left back and looked far more comfortable there, Graney to centre mid, Ryan came on at centre back and Jack came off. Simon, who had had a frustrating 1st half and been pushed, shoved and knocked about, made way for Foxy. The changes didn’t take immediate effect as the Reds pushed again in the early part of the 2nd half. Brad headed a corner onto the underside of his own crossbar the rebound fell for the attacking side and Adam had to make a cracking save. On 50 minutes a through ball from Dom caught Reds napping and some great short passing play from Zac and Ollie brought Foxy into play and he forced the ball home. Five minutes later though, the Reds edged in front again. They had put us under pressure from corners a couple of times already and when the ball came in a couple forwards were on the line. Our defence were beaten in the air and Adam was impeded by the players on the line but the goal stood.
It was 3-1 to the Reds after 68 minutes when the ball was pumped high into the box. It seemed to take ages to come down and as Adam came to collect he was charged by 2 opponents and the ball was lost and tapped into the net. A definite foul and a hint of offside possibly, but no defenders went in to challenge the forwards which was a little disappointing. More disappointing was the ref, who perhaps 20 years ago would have managed this game a little better.
The only option now was to gamble. Simon was sent back on, Elliot came off and we went 3-4-3. Finally we started to get things working. We were now controlling the midfield and were looked the stronger side for first time in the game. We pushed forward and were back in the game after a trip in the area and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. Zac grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot and despatched it high to keeper’s left and with 4 minutes left, it was game on.
We continued to press and Simon burst into the box dancing by a couple of players and threading a pass across the goal for Foxy to hit 1st time. The keeper got a good hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. Incredibly it was 3-3 and there was still a minute to go. A minute that saw us go close to grabbing the win but Wraggy’s shot just shaved the outside of the post.
Man of the Match was Adam, who had made a couple of good and important saves and took a lot of stick from the very physical Reds. Again there were outstanding performances from Dom and Brad. In the end though, we got a draw that felt a little like a win. We stay above the Reds in the table and with 4 points from the two games we retain the bragging rights. Well done team!
