Newly crowned champions too good for the 5s

Well, you could see why they are top of the table, and to make it worse thay were going all out to make sure they pipped Potters Bar for the division championship. So keeping them down to 3 goals, and competing very gamely for long periods of the match, was a very good achievement. In summary they were too quick for us, especially for out vets at the back, and whilst we managed to hold up their open play, Geoff had plenty to save, we conceded too many shorts, which gave them both their first half goals. Familiar problems getting the ball away at the back, with their speed to 50:50 balls and fast challenges we struggled to maintain possession. But we stuck in, ran as hard as we could, and when we moved the ball wide and early began to get behind their midfield and create some chances. Mark was unlucky to see a flick tipped over the bar by their keeper, and even from 2 -0 at half time we didn't feel out of it.

After the break we even managed some good periods of sustained pressure, Rian finding plenty of room out left, and Mark picking his way through the right with some neat combinations with Rob. Some good crosses went in, but few clear chances and we were always vulnerable on the break, Geoff again having to rescue us several times before we lost our marking and let in the third from a far post tap in. We didn;t give up, Adam finally getting us one back on the hour, and we kept pressing to the end without any more reward. A really good all round effort against opponents who gave nothing away, but a slight fuustration that with just a little more concentration, quicker passing and a little more width, we could have pushed them even closer.

MotM goes to Geoff Hopkin.

I'm afraid that ends my dreams of matching last season's 4th place, but again we've shown that we can raise our game against the best in the division.