After last weeks poor display the lads had to go out today and show us that they can play football and still want to play as a team. Sporting have moved to a new venue and all the lads found the place easy enough (well nearly all) and were well on time and ready for the game this week which was nice to see. The weather was warm for about 2 minutes when the sun made an appearance but then it was cold, The pitch was not the best we have played on but by no means the worst.
We have always found sporting hard to play against and they are a good team who work hard for each other and if they had a bit more of a goal threat I am sure they would be higher up the table. Sporting looked from the off that they were going to play the long ball and inside the opening 2 minutes the lads at the back had to deal with 2 balls knocked in the 2nd one was knocked back to Jack by Finch and Jack cooly side stepped the striker to pass it out to Luke. It was on 10 mins when we had our 1st attempt on goal and it came from an Arron long shot that the keeper was behind to make the save. With the lads trying the new system we had created a lot of space and with a few more games playing it I think that they will see that it is a good way to play against some teams as there was always a player spare to pass to if they had looked up and found them. Over the next 10 minute Sax dominated the midfield but we were resorting to long shots when maybe an extra pass would have created more but it is nice to see players having the confidence to have a go and get them on target Arron had 3 shots and the keeper had to save them all. With the new system we did look a bit shaky at the back at times but we managed to deal with the chances Sporting created. We were winning lots of corners and throw ins but our delivery of the set pieces was not up to the usual standard. Ryan had a free kick from about 30 yards that he hit well but the keeper was behind it to make the save. And the we saw some great football from the back starting with Finch, Kyle and Arron but again the final shot was straight at the keeper. On 25 Arron played a good ball in to John but unfortunately John couldn't keep his shot down and the pigeons in the tree were in more danger than the goal. Tom was having a great game down the right and using the opportunity to get forward really well and on 35 George played a ball in to Tom and it wasn't the best connection but he hit it and it went in, the lads all rushed over to treat the parents to Tom's celebration which we will have to call the Ferret you never know it may catch on.
Half Time
Sporting 0-1 Sax
It wasn't long in to the 2nd half when we had our 1st corner but a good ball in and a fumble from the keeper but no-one to tap it in. Sporting were still creating chances and making the lads at the back work and Jack was coming out well to clear up the long balls. Rossi done well down the right and played a lovely ball across the face of goal but it came a bit fast to Arron who shot it wide. Sporting (or Stowmarket if you are Tim) had a good chance on 53 but they put it wide as well. The game was pretty open and scrappy at times and it needed something to happen to get it going, the chance came from a Sporting corner a good delivery to the front post went to a Sporting head and Jack got down quickly to his left make a good save. Then Rossi who had eventually found the right pitch done what he can do if he wants, he picked the ball up in the middle of the pitch and made a run down the right betaing 3 players and getting to the edge of the box hit a great shot that gave the keeper no chance Sporting 0-2 Sax. This seemed to liven Sporting up and Jack was the far busier keeper making 1 good save and coming out to collect the long balls that Sporting were putting through. Sax were working hard and still looking for another goal and we thought we had 1 when again after some good Rossi work down the right and a ball in John managed to put the ball wide. On 77 a drop ball was given after Bryan had tried to bring something to the Refs attention and Sporting won the ball their player then controlled the ball with his hand even the Sporting managers agreed that it was hand ball but play went on and he hit a great shot that went top corner and gave Jack no chance and to make the last few minutes a bit nervy for us on the touchline. We had 1 more chance to kill the game off Arron put the ball in and Ollie put it just over. The final whistle went and we finished the game sporting 87 1-2 Saxmundham sports.
A better performance than last week but we still have a way to go to get back to our best the lads worked hard against a team that we always struggle against and I think that Sporting will win a few more games this year and still be in division 1 next season.
We will have to be at our best next week when we visit Felixstowe and Walton for the 1st time they are in 4th spot and the last time we played them it was a fantastic game and we will need that sort of performance again if we want a result.
Well done for getting the 3 points today and for the way you played and worked for the result.
