The lads were keen to make up for the poor result at Halesowen last week with revenge in the return fixture.  Harvey and Ben were inured / ill and Ross did another no show to leave us with 12.

Ryan came in on the left hand side and Alex returned up front.  Graham was in at left back. 

We pretty much dominated the game.  Other than a 10 minute spell in the middle of the 1st half where we took our foot off the gas.  We made a terrific start, Alex burst past a few challenges and into the box, the defender hauled him down in what looked to me like a stone wall pen.  That would be the story of the 1^st half.  Our pressure did result in a penalty shortly after when the defender handled the ball on the line.  He was probably lucky to stay on.  Matt stepped up and put the pen wide. 0-0.

Our heads dropped a little here.  Haleowen won a few corners but we defended well.  We took control again. Particularly in midfield where Rob had taken over from Will’s excellent start.  A great move up the right saw Dyl, Rob and Will link up.  Rob’s surging run and cross was blatantly handled in the box and amazingly what should have been our 4^th penalty of the half was again turned down. 

We needed a goal.  Mike and Rob both shot wide from distance.  Stokesy was opening up the defence on a regular basis with clever through balls.  The goal came after Rob's pin point through ball set Al away, he nicked in front of the keeper to prod us in front.

The 2^nd half was even better.  We were devastatingly good up the left hand side.  Will and Stokesy linked up and Ryan’s tremendous vision and range of long and cross field balls were a joy to watch.  Al and Mike were looking more and more dangerous.

The 2^nd goal killed it off, Pete’s throw was headed down by Mike and Ryan struck home sweetly from the edge of the box to get the goal he deserved.

2 became 3 when  Mike latched onto another Rob pass to before out muscling the defender and lobbing the keeper.  It could have been more, Mike hit the post.  Mark rose well for a corner, Dyl was always in and around the box.   

Defensively we were superb, Graham was the pick for me but the other 3 and Jacko when he went on were very good. 

We are now into our last month.  We are putting together some very good performances.  Our midfield is as strong as it has ever been in my opinion and that is transferring itself into some good results.

 

Steve

 

Grady

Ryan                      Barber                  Williams              Hill

Mcloughlin           Bissell                    Coyne                                Stokes