Finally we got our season under way after the washout of the past 2 weeks.  That meant It has been 3 weeks since we have played a game so everybody was raring to go.  The fixtures could have been kinder to us with Shenley the 1^st team we would play.  They will surely be right up there at the end of the season.

 

Our new look and much improved squad has made selection very interesting.  Everybody was available to choose from other than Ben who could not make the game.

 

Kevin and Brett would make their debuts from the start and Will would start on a very strong looking subs bench.

 

A very well competed first half was shaded by Shenley.  In the main because they won everything in the air.  We played into their hands by always looking through the middle and their centre backs were too big and strong for us.

 

Shenley had the majority of possession and territory but we had the clearer chances.  Mike twice headed over the bar and he was almost through 1 on 1 before a saving tackle.

 

Shenley were bright on both wings and James and Pete had to be at their best in the 1^st half.  Kev was very strong at centre back and several great goalmouth blocks immediately showed his worth to us.

 

A string of corners started to put us under pressure.  Eventually this told and a scrambled corner ended up in our net.  Half time 0-1.

 

Dayle went on for Rob as we looked to play wider but Shenley were much quicker out of the blocks in the 2^nd half.  We mis-placed several passes in midfield and we were very poor in possession.

 

Ryan was forced to keep us in the game with 2 or 3 very good saves.  We were hanging in there and once again we looked bright on the counter.  This time Mike played a nice pass through and we were all surprised to see Kev surging through the midfield.  Once again good defending blocked him as he was about to shoot.

 

The 2^nd goal did come.  Matty made an uncharacteristic mistake to allow the Shenley forward to lob Ryan.0-2.

 

We had 2 quick chances to get back in the game.  The hard working Brett went through only to see his shot saved.  Graham them struck a great shot that forced another good save out of the keeper;

 

We gave away a very soft late penalty which was scored and 3-0 flattered Shenley in a game that was tighter than that.

 

I was pleased with various aspects of our play. Brett’s hard working and selfless performance was encouraging and Man of the Match Kev was great at the back.  James and Pete were solid and Will showed great early signs that he will be an asset to us with a tough tackling cameo in midfield.

 

Next is Coleshill and two even games with them last season should see another tight game.

 

Steve

 

 

Team

  

Stokes

 

Ryan                O’Neill Barber              Grady

 

                            Mcloughlin           Williams            Foley               Bissell

 

 Yarrington          Halloran

 

Subs

Palmer

Coyne

Foster

Hill

Downes