Playing a premier league team on their home 3G pitch was another big
test for our lads. It was eventually a test they passed
First 10 minutes Sharks were first to the ball and we looked asleep
and akin to some of our starts last season. Phantoms then started to
play with pace and looked dangerous with one or two half chances and
plenty of corners. We opened the sharks up but they recovered very
well, to put in last gasp tackles and blocks. There was one chance
that looked close to being over the line and a couple of great strikes
but no goals.
After losing the ball in midfield Sharks player had all the time in
the world to thread a straight ball through the defence for their
striker to finish well. 1-0 half time.
Half time, chat was to compete physically, as the boys returned to the
pitch with a new hope of goals.
Second half we made changes and suddenly we were looking dangerous
upfront. EHE ran down the wing, putting in a great cross for RD to
tap in.. To the opposition EHE was a menace, causing Sharks problems but we often didn't shift the ball to
him, with play going right rather than more spacious left side. There
were a 3-4 opportunities to score one from JC into side netting and
RD through on goal but rushed his shot wide and another when a player
needed to just pull the trigger.
Final score 1-1, probably a fair result against a good team that were slightly more physical than us.
