A much changed Olton side would be playing Dosthill for the 1st time in our history. It was a pity that so many of the side that beat Arden would be unavailable for various reasons so today would be a stern test as well as a good opportunity for certain players to cement a place in the side. There was major shake up in defence with 3 changes from last week.
The game itself was a major disappointment to me. We forgot what we were all about. We didn’t turn up for 3 points in a top division Sunday league game. We never showed up to pit our wits against a good football team in Dosthill. Various parts of the team had a very different agenda. It was more about the street cred, and living up to reputation. I will explain this a lot clearer on Wednesday but needless to say I was not impressed.
An even 1st half was probably shaded by us due to the fact that we looked the more likely to score. The best move of the half saw Graham, Ben and Mike link up to put Will’s perfectly timed run in on goal. Will did everything right but the keeper spread himself well. Ben was looking very sharp and lively and Ross was popping up in attacking areas. The ball could have dropped a little kinder for us on a couple of occasions but this game was always going to go down to the wire. It looked like it may take a bad mistake or a piece of magic to separate the teams. The game ended up having both.
We lost Ben to injury just before half time and this was the turning point in the game as we seemed to lose all threat upfront.
The 2nd half was pretty much all Dosthill and although it looked as though we would get away with a point, I thought Dosthill deserved their winner. I think their 1st goal went in off Will in a scramble. The 2nd was a shocker for James but this is why it takes the very strongest characters to play in goal. Players all over the pitch make mistakes that go unpunished. In goal, a mistake usually means a goal. The very best keepers make mistakes, but it is the way that they bounce back in the next match that makes them what they are.
The worst thing about the 2nd half for me was our lack of shape and the fact that half of our team went missing all at once.
I thought only 2 of our players played at their own level and came out of the game with any credit. Peter did what Peter does and he did it to his usual consistent high level. Mark was terrific at centre back. He continually dominated the big forward in the air and read the situations well to cover his full backs. It was another impressive man of the match display from him.
We don’t play next Sunday and I think that this gives us a good opportunity to have a think about what we do well, where we have made great improvements this season and why we through it all out of the window against Dosthill. There is nothing wrong with doing things our way, let’s stop trying to be somebody else.
Steve
| Grady
Foster Barber Williams(M) Ryan
Foley Hill Coyne Palmer
Halloran Williams(B) M.o.M: M Williams
Scorer Halloran (1)
Subs: Mcloughlin, Stokes
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First Season 2009/10 > Fixtures & Reports >
Dosthill 16/11/08 |