Old Whitgiftian Reserves 2-2 Reigatians V
(Shkembi, Sturdy (pen))
(Saturday, 24 November 2007)
MATCH REPORT
by Nixie
Not happy!
| 1st HALF LINE-UP |
|---|
| HILLIER FERGUSON R - BURNS - TARLTON - DENISON C DENISON J - KENYON (Cpt) - McNAMARA - STURDY PHAN - FERGUSON M |
A waterlogged pitch at Reigate Priory saw this game switched to The Manor and although we were missing around 5 key players from the previous games, we still assembled a strong enough squad for the match against lowly Reigatians V.
Instructions had been made clear to all players in the build up to the game... build upon the two previous performances, work for each other, play our kind of football and use the whole of the pitch to our advantage.
Once we kicked off however, we were a very different team to the one that had scored 11 goals and conceded none in the last 180 minutes.
Route-1-Reigate didn't stick to the script either, as their game plan consisted of playing a very high defensive line and resorting to hit-and-hope kicking throughout the game. It is clear that as a team we struggle to play against this kind of football and often resort to copying the opposition... without being as good at it. Very ugly to play in and even more ugly to watch.
| View photos from this match | CLICK HERE | Photos supplied by DEAN MOSS |
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We lost the half 1-0. Reigate had one clear chance and took it. Furthermore, we were so out of tune in this 45 minutes, that we were lucky to only concede the one goal. This was a team performance and the whole team failed to perform. We looked at our team-mates waiting for the other to take charge, win tackles, make that key pass or to just make something happen.
| 2nd HALF LINE-UP |
|---|
| HILLIER FERGUSON R - BURNS - TARLTON - DENISON C (Sub ISTHIKHAR 55) DENISON J - KENYON (Cpt) - McNAMARA - STURDY PHAN (Sub MOSS 76) - FERGUSON M (Sub SHKEMBI 55) |
During the interval, it was the first time I've "lost it" with the team and questioned their desire to win the game. This team has such obvious ability, but has let itself down at key moments this season... and is the reason we are where we are in the table instead of at the top. Nobody has the right to be the best in the league, it has to be earned by being consistently the best one game at a time.
No changes were made, the system and style of play was repeated to them and they were asked to go out and make amends.
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The difference was immediate. We started to win the challenges and ten looked to pass the ball around. Our flanks started to use the whole of the pitch and looked to pass through or beat their markers. Defence pushed forward and supported the midfield... and the ball started to be passed along the ground.
The equalizer came within 15 minutes, when a corner in our favour was beaten out of their defence. Michael Tarlton, just outside the area hit the ball sweetly back only for it to hit their on-rushing midfielders arms. The referee blew instantly for a penalty and Richard Sturdy converted. 1-1.
Within 3 minutes we scored again, this time from a very good move down the right. Man of the Match Kas Shkembi was involved from start to finish in the move and culminated in him beating the keeper at the near post with a tight-angled shot. 2-1 Whits.
This was it I thought, as R-1-R were looking jaded and ripe for finishing off. However, the gods... and the referee... saw it different as a hit-and-hope from the R-1-R defence seemed to have been played out of our defence only for the whistle to blow for an infringement. I still don't know what it was for, but the player who took the free-kick hit a blinder and before Tim had managed to set his defence. Time dived, but it was beyond him and R-1-R were back in the game. 2-2.
After that, they defended well and we'd had the wind knocked out of our sails. We had the bulk of possession and were inventive, but were unable to unlock their back four. On the occasions that we did, their first team keeper denied us with save after save.
MAN OF THE MATCH RESULT
Congratulations to KAS SHKEMBI, who made an immediate impact when coming in to the game. His touch and body strength caused the R-1-R defence a lot of problems, especially when he decided to run at them. His goal was well taken, beating their ringer keeper at the near post and from a very tight angle. This wasn't his only effort and he was unlucky to have another shot saved late on, that would have beaten their normal 5th XI keeper every day of the week.
| Pos | Player | Ref | 1st | 2nd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
- | 8 | 3 | 19 |
|
| 2nd= | BURNS | 1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
| 2nd= | McNAMARA | - |
2 |
4 |
8 |
| 4th | STURDY | - |
3 |
1 |
7 |
| 5th | DENISON J | - |
- |
5 |
5 |
| 6th | FERGUSON R | - |
1 |
2 |
4 |
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