Thrapston Town 2 v Generals Blue 4
A student of body language could have completed several dissertations
watching today’s match. As keen as mustard at the start
of the game, everyone had lots of positive energy, but leak
a goal and heads dropped, shoulders drooped and too many players
attitude suggested they were going through the motions.
Thrapston started as brightly as the day itself and for the
initial period of play bossed the Generals, created chances
and deservedly took the lead when Caller released by an excellent
Munro pass finished with some aplomb. The expectation of building
on the previous weeks excellent performance was real and we
always have high expectations.
Reality settled in and somewhat against the run of play the
Generals counterattacked, sniped their way through some missed
clearances to shoot home. Heads wilted like the last flowers
of summer and the Generals seized the initiative to spearhead
home decisive attacks. From some good approach work and an
excellent cross Thrapston were POMO’d and the Generals
were ahead. The situation was compounded as Caller limped
off with a recurrence of an old war wound and the forward
line never carried the same menace from then on – and
shoulders drooped some more.
Two more goals conceded from the Generals long-range artillery
before half time was disappointing as we had identified this
specific weapon of destruction and had laid plans to spike
it, but orders were apparently mislaid.
So half time to rally the troops? Churchill had been on the
telly for a bit of inspiration, beaches and all that?
The team solemnly slouched back onto the field of conflict
there appeared to be an air of resignation amongst the players
but we hoped for a moment of inspiration to ignite the team.
That potential moment came in the 2nd minute when Jamie Payne
turned on the turbo to burst through the Generals rearguard
to pull a goal back. Time to push on through and take the
initiative to the opposition, but alas we did not have the
weaponry available to win the battle.
No more goals were to be scored, but both teams had opportunities
to increase their tally. To be fair the majority of chances
were for the Generals and only some fingertip saves and last
ditch defending halted the Generals advance.
We will play better and we will have to as this league is
populated by teams pretty much evenly matched - what will
separate them at the end of each game (and the season) will
be teamwork and commitment. Today too many players did not
play near their best or give of their best so lets learn and
move forward.
Parents Player of the Match: Mathew Hansord – last
line of defense!
Mathew Hansord, David Morton, Harry Doubleday, Cameron Glynn,
Graeme Wright, Tyrone Love, Ross Munro, William Morrison,
Ryan Wright, Ryan Caller, Alexander Palmer, John Davies, William
Gadsby, Jamie Payne, Ben Durrant (unused)
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