No, you have read it wrong, they didn't score 954 goals...
On a slanty pitch with areas on the wings which could well technically be labelled a meadow Emmanuel grabbed all three points in an exciting match which saw us hit back immediately after 3 of Mickleover's 4 goals. This was a defiant display riddled with brilliance and a fair helping of hapless defending.
Emmanuel started well shooting uphill and put Mickleover under early pressure with several chances missed and some fine goalkeeping from the Mickleover keeper saving his team on a few occaisions. The deadlock was broken went Jack went up the hill, not to fetch a pail of water, but to score a screamer. Right foot, edge of area, drilled in off the far post. Sweet! The need to focus for the next few minutes however was lost on the defense and some weak challenges around the box allowed Mickleover to equalise. However, it's nearly the season of giving and Mickleover were in generous mood when straight from the restart a superb pass out to Patryk on the right, a superb cross into the box and a headed own goal later, we were back infront. 2-1 at half time and despite some fine attacking play we had a slender lead.
Ed stressed the need to keep it tight in the early stages of the second half and give Micklover no encouragement, so when we conceded within 5 minutes of kick off it seemed that we too were being generous to our opponants. 2-2. Fortunately whilst the second half was strewn with defensive errors, from a normally assured defence who have coped admirably against much stronger opposition, the attacking play was at times fantastic and ripped Mickleover apart. In truth the score should've been far greater in our favour. Jack added a second with a powerful run and shot which was well saved by the keeper but as his team mates failed to react, Jack ran around the keeper and finished off for 3-2. Then a superb strike from Noddy just outside the area was too hot to handle for the Mickleover keeper. 4-2. Mickleover pulled another back in an incident which saw right back Rob Barrow run full tilt into the post. If he hadn't had looked so hurt we would probably have laughed at lot more, luckily Rob is ok and nothing is severely damaged...
...some nice combination play around the Mickleover box, which seemed very familier to things we've been working on in training...mmm, allowed Jack to break through and finish superbly for his hat-trick, well done Jack, before Micleover grabbed another and made it a nervous last 10.
The good and the bad. Well the defence, Jabed, Rhys, Dan and Rob are far better than they showed today. It seemed that the limited variation in Mickleovers attack made us switch off today. We've spent the last 2 months playing far superior opposition and dealing with some really good players, there's been some great displays during this period and some resolute defending. Perhaps we've forgotten how to deal with the long ball game. In the games against stronger opposition we've defended the ball over the top very well, but that tactic was not the sole method of attack. It got Mickleover 3 goals today so we must remember not to switch off, to anticipate the direct ball over our heads and react by dropping off and denying the strikers any space in behind.
Noddy and Isaac were great today and the passing in midfield was good despite the poor quality of the pitch. Isaac's mojo appears to be on it's way back. We love you Isaac. Patryk and Jubed were excellent on the flanks, with Jubed's pace and tenacity a real bonus in wide areas and Patryks link up with Jack on the right working very well. Jack was superb again and his hat-trick was well deserved. His attitude and endevour since joining the club has really impressed his team mates and both myself and Ed. Hopefully Jack feels like he has found a club that appreciate his talents as a striker and I would put strong money on Jack finishing top scorer if he continues in this manner.
Special mention to Mike who with the loss of 2 goalkeepers pulled on the gloves and made some fine saves in a situation in which he wasn't completely comfortable. The responsibility of going in goal in a massive one, mistakes can cost goals and games and Mike stood up to be counted today. A player who has been with this team from the very start, part of the heart of the Emmanuel set up, deserves much credit. His contribution today was immense.
So, let this be the start of a winning run. Next week we play Stretton Eagles at home, who despite sitting 7th in the league table are a strong team who will push us all the way. I have no doubt that we possess the quality and the determination to beat them, but the focus must be 100% if we are to avoid making life hard for ourselves as we did today. Those old enough to remember the 90's properly will probably agree that this morning we resembled the Newcastle team under Kevin Keegan. Great going forward but suspect at the back. The attack bailed us out, but we cannot rely on that every week. So next week, back to solid defending and excellent attack.
Well Done lads!
Goals: Jack Ball 3, Patryk Trebski 1, Noddy 1.
Man of the Man: Jack Ball
Squad: Mike, Rob, Jabed, Rhys, Dan, Joe, Taku, Mo, Isaac, Patryk, Noddy, Jubed, Jack, Luke
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