We had a frustrating outing to Weston on Sunday, though the stage was beautifully set. The weather couldn't have been better, the huge pitch was in excellent condition, and the residue of Saturday's rain lay on the surface. Slide tackles were sure to be back in fashion.
While we created many more chances than Weston, we didn't capitalise on them, and went through a few spells of defensive meltdown that had coach Samuel fuming in his technical area. The meeting of our 3-5-2 with Weston's 4-5-1 also created a packed midfield, even on the wide-open spaces of that pitch. And we didn't use the available width, which is where we were so effective in our first meeting five weeks ago.
The slick field initially caused problems to both sides, plenty of players experiencing that "hole in the boot" feeling as the ball skidded away. Nevertheless, we started more confidently and had Weston pinned in their own half for most of the first twenty minutes. We took the lead when Andy's cross from the left was spilled by the Weston 'keeper and Steve Shea, with a deft swivel of his hips, displaced the closest defender and collected the ball for a simple tap-in.
Weston came into the game more as the half progressed and started causing us a few problems. Mid-way through the half Kelvin made a great last-gasp challenge and cleared the ball when it looked like the Weston forward would have a close-range shot at goal. Weston's equaliser, ten minutes before half time, came in the most unfortunate way. The ball was played into the left side of our box and a midfielder struck a good shot from about 12 yards that Mike managed to parry but couldn't hold. Tim Rosa raced in to clear, but so did Victor, and Tim's attempted clearance cannoned off Victor and into the net.
In the second half we created more clear-cut chances. Fifteen minutes in Andy collected a quick throw-in just inside our half and quickly released a low pass straight up the right channel. Bardot ran behind the defence to collect the ball ouside the Weston area and cut in before placing the ball neatly into the left side of the goal.
We still hadn't found a good rhythm, although we managed to create further good chances. Bardot collected the ball from a Weston goal kick and carried it straight to edge of the box, but his low shot went inches wide of the left post. Then the Weston 'keeper made a good save to stop Bardot rounding him and the ball skidded free. Victor cut the ball in from the right and Bardot's shot went just wide of the right post. The neatest move of the game had Andy playing Bardot free on the right, from where he clipped in a dangerous cross. Karsten, running in at the far post, climbed and headed powerfully just over the angle of post and crossbar.
Mid-way through the second half Weston were still looking dangerous and we seemed a little shaky in defence. For a spell we couldn't get the ball under control and string a few passes together. Fifteen minutes before the end, after another failed clearance, Weston played a high cross in from our right side that dropped perfectly into the box for a midfielder, who made no mistake with a powerful half-volley into the right side of Mike's net.
A slightly disappointing result, even though Weston were worth their point. The midfield was essentially blocked for most of the game, and we failed to use the copious width of the field. Still, one more victory is all that's required to take the title - roll on Lowell.
Squad: Mike O, Kelvin, Kirk, Mike A, Tim R, Andy, Karsten, Ivan, Joe, Pap, Steve G, Tim T, Tom, Victor, Bardot, Christer, Steve S
Sidelined: Samuel
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