Match Report

We started very poorly in this game particularly defensively. Lessa looked very dangerous at corners and free kicks seemingly winning every header and 50/50 challenge in our box. It was no surprise when they took the lead early on, although we managed to strike back shortly after with an excellent lob from Georgeson. Our parity did not last, as Lessa added two more to their tally and would have added more had Burkett not made at least 3 or 4 miraculous saves in goal. This at least kept us in the game and we turned round at 1-3 down.

It has to be said what was going on in front of Burkett was not good football. We genuinely looked disinterested in proceedings, once again the opposition were given time on the ball in too many danger areas and when we did challenge or tackle we seemed to fly in with little thought about jockeying the opponent or holding him up a bit. We all seem to love going forward and attacking but there is little in terms of graft, fight, determination and ‘spill your guts’ spirit. That must change and change soon. There were too many ‘quiet’ 1st half performances.

Admittedly we did improve in the 2nd half, Webb had an effort well saved and Georgeson toiled hard up front. Haines was introduced at half time and showed great promise in his first outing for the club. Wray and Skrine were combining well down our right, and it was Wray who nimbly cut inside with a smart bit of trickery and found Haines, whose low drive nestled in the corner of the net. Always good to score on your debut and it was a well taken goal.

We tried our hardest but couldn’t find the equaliser but if we had played the entire game like the 2nd half we would have won. Now Lessa are top and we have been knocked off our perch.

The main thing I’ve learnt about our group of players recently is that they have to learn to compete for the whole 90 minutes. We switch off too easily and play in limited phases irregularly. We have to learn to do the real hard work chasing back, getting tighter, making the challenge at the right time in the right area of the pitch. There’s no doubting our ability, but we have to be prepared to roll up our sleeves and do the ‘donkey work’ first before we can start playing the ‘beautiful game’.

If any of you are reading this lads, here’s a tip: ‘Shut up when Darren and myself are trying to give you instruction and listen and let the message sink into your brains!’ You will find this really helps and you won’t come off the pitch moaning about what’s going on or what you haven’t achieved. Because believe me, we’re older and wiser and we know what we’re talking about. STOP PLAYING YOUR OWN GAME AND LISTEN TO THE MANAGER AND START PLAYING AS A TEAM.

We’re looking for a better performance this weekend and a better result.