Vital Points Secured

Hi everyone and a Merry Xmas to you all!!

Been a while since our last game, so to get back into things was good for me and the boys.

Because of the weather the match was at best 50/50 to go ahead. Our magnificent ground staff who have worked tirelessly to produce a playing surface to be proud of deserve full plaudits. The game went ahead and rightly so. We started with the same line up that played at Kings Langley. A few lads with extra instructions especially in defending areas.

St Ives surprisingly lined up as a 4-5-1 going down the slope. I was very pleased with our start and our full backs immediately got on the ball to start our attacks. Considering the conditions I felt we played well, going occasionally through our excellent midfield. It was tough for our forwards. Their hold up play could have been better but typical of both lads they kept trying and working.

Chances were few and far between. St Ives were always going to be a tough nut to crack. Our breakthrough came in the shape of a penalty, excellently despatched by Jack Bradshaw.

Some may argue that both the penalty and the lead were a touch fortunate but our general attitude towards the game and the fact we kept trying to open them up signalled for me a deserved lead.

We asked before the game for a clean sheet and both Daniel Brathwaite and Joe De La Salle performed fantastically!

There were plenty of heroes out there today, both full backs, the midfield and the hard working front line all deserve praise. Along with Erkan Okay who by his own high standards has dipped slightly in my opinion, responded in a positive way by scoring in the final minutes.

2-0, a convincing victory? Maybe not but 3 points secured against fellow front runners is vital.

My overall feeling was of pride and contentment after the match. This group of players have all contributed. We will need all the squad in the coming weeks. Everyone is involved!

Enjoy Hols!!
SC