Maypole 11-03-2012

Maypole 2 – 1 Ravens

Scorer Josh D

M.o.M Alfie

Another tight game in a league that seems to have nothing at all between the top 6 sides. Reflecting on the match I do think that we were outplayed and that the result was a fair one.

We seem to have lost the midfield battle for a long period now as all of the other teams have a couple of very mobile and skilful players dominating in the middle of the park. Our lads battle and scrap well to disrupt them but we never seem to have control of the game against the better sides, we are always on the back foot and relying on counter attacks.

We were under the cosh in the 1^st half. Alfie had to palm a shot away and then he dealt well with 2 or 3 in swinging corners, when under pressure from the opposition players. Defensively the communication was none existent and the players did not work in partnerships. They just battled on bravely as individuals.

Our players effort levels could not be faulted. Kori was once again man marked aggressively and he gave as good as he got with little protection from the referee. Ish battled all over the park and Josh D gave us the start that we wanted with a thumping goal.

Both goals conceded were our own errors. Poor communication at the back post saw their player left with a lot of time to pick his spot. The winner was worse from our point of view but I could feel it coming as several of our players that should have cleared the ball into touch in the game often just kicked it straight to an opposition player outside our box. Rankin was the unfortunate one that was punished with a goal but several others made the same error. We went for it late on and Logan had a shot saved from a scramble from a corner. Rankin went through but couldn’t get a shot away and then Brian put a late penalty wide.

I was disappointed to hear that some of our players were swearing at the opposition during the handshake at the end. We have been on the end of that a few times this season but I do not like to see a couple of our players stooping to that level.

Well played Alfie who was our best performer on the day.