Crusaders 25-10/09

Match Report

Ravens 3 – 1 Crusaders

Scorers:- Rankin (pen), Frankie, Abu

M.o.M:-Josh Davis

Back to league action today against a Crusaders team that has had some very good results of late. We were hit with the half term holidays by losing Josh and Tom to holidays. Elliot went in goal and we had a completely new look defence with Jake and new boy Josh Davis. The twins Josh and Frankie both signed up for us this week and look like good additions to the squad.

It was a reasonable start by us but Crusaders had lots of players back in their own half and we found space difficult to come by. Most of the play went up the right and Rankin won us several corners and throw ins which we failed to take real advantage of.

Frankie was quickly into his stride with high energy and good movement. Josh was settling into defence very well and his ability at set pieces is going to be a big plus for us.

A few half chances came and went. Liam shot wide a couple of times from a difficult angle and Frank also came close. We did get the lead eventually with a penalty, well taken by Rankin. 1-0.

Crusaders responded well and assited by a strong wind they came back at us. Elliot was forced into a couple of good saves before the pressure paid off and the scores were levelled. 1-1.

The last few weeks have followed the same pattern. We start well but if we do not get the early goal our lads get far too frustrated and it becomes a 1 man show with everybody trying to do all the work themselves. This is not good and I had sensed in recent games that the players were at boiling point. At half time the lads started to have a dig at each other for not passing the ball. Hopefully now that this is all out in the open we can improve as a team rather than as a good group of individuals.

The 2^nd half was much improved. Abu again contributed well as he is constantly passing it simple and moving. Liam offers the same on the left and with Ish in the middle we really started to pass the ball well. It looked like a matter of time before the goals came.

Frankie put us in front with a deserved goal for his persistence. Abu soon made it 3 -1 and then Josh was unlucky when his penalty clipped the post.

Another good win but we have seen there is still work to do. Our next game is the one I have been waiting for. A cup game against a 2^nd division team. This will be a huge eye opener for the lads. I am very much looking forward to it.

Man of the match was new boy Josh Davis and a special mention to Jake who I made Captain for the day as he gave up 1 day of his holiday to play for us.