The game today was played on a pitch that had held up well despite the heavy overnight rain that stopped just before KO weather was not too cold and not windy for a change.
The game started off with the home team trying to put us under pressure from the start but the superb back 4 and Jack coped with all they had. We had a few chances ourselves but nothing much came of them. When we did get through on goal and have a shot the keeper (Jimmy “the cat” Friel) seemed to have extendable arms and rocket propelled boots that got him to everything and the lads couldn't believe that the shots were not going in. On 21 the breakthrough came when Ben played the ball to Arron and with the keeper well off his line Arron lobbed the ball over him into the empty net a good finish and nothing more than the lads deserved. We won a corner and an excellent ball in was a fraction too high for Sam at the back post we keep working on them but it will all come good 1 day. On 25 Jimmy was again the thorn in Ed's side some good play from the lads ended with a ball falling to Ed in front of goal and as his shot looked like it was going in the keeper appeared from nowhere to tip it around the post I still can't work out how he got across like that and Ed felt the same by his reaction to the save. 30 minutes in and after breaking up a Kirton attack the ball was played to Kyle with Ed making a run wide on the left Kyle played a good ball to him, Ed still had lots to do and he beat the defender before he took it to the byline and played it across the box, Fish made a good run in to the box and got a tap in to make it 2 in 2 for him. Kirton had a couple of chances but the lads at the back stood firm and got bodies in the way when they had to and Jack made a couple of saves, after 1 of the attacks Jack threw the ball to Luke and he then played a good ball to Ben he raced clear and put his shot hard and low into the corner giving the keeper no chance and making the half time score Kirton 0 – 3 Sax.
We decided to make some changes at half time to get George, Connor, Kris and John on the pitch, I was having a chat with George about the game and he had his instructions where to play and what we wanted from him, the question I got back was do I keep my gloves on or take them off I said well it's not cold take them off then I saw his pink painted nails ( he played in gloves). George had listened well and took his from from training into the game and in the 1st 10 minutes of the 2nd half he had 2 shots saved and had made some excellent runs. 55 minutes and an incident that had the potential to turn the game upside down Kris made a strong tackle that incensed the home players and fans he got up and the lad he tackled pushed Kris the lads all gathered round fortunately it looks like lessons have been learned and they all dragged him away. The hapless ref should have sent the Kirton player off but nothing was done. Jack made a good save from the free kick and the game carried on Ed played a good ball to George but his shot went just wide. Kirton had a good spell for 5 minutes after but the lads kept their heads and defended well then on 61 Arron got the ball just outside the box set it up for himself and shot his shot beat the keeper and hit the post it fell to Ed's feet in front of goal and at last he got it past Jimmy to make it 0-4. the 65th minute Jack played a long ball down field it found it's way to George in the box he took 1 touch and volleyed it in to the top corner it was no more than he deserved after all his efforts in the half. The 2nd half was coming to a close when George again was going clear through on goal when a Kirton defender slid in and took him down it looked a certain free kick and a red card the Kirton lino thought the same but again the ref was 50 yards from play and gave Kirton a throw in a decision that summed up the refs game.
The lads did well and another clean sheet was a bonus it was good to see that the lads didn't react to the push on Kris (The subs need to remember that they cannot go on the pitch). The ref didn't help matters by not making any decisions and things like that will see players get hurt sooner or later.
Well done lads and to cap off a good day we went top on goal difference after F&W could only manage a draw against Martlesham.
