vs Pilote Urbain lost 3-1

I personally went into this game with a good deal of dread after the french rampaged through our team the last time we met. They have improved somewhat since that last humiliation so the thought was a little disturbing. When Carlos did his customary disappearing act and we had no goalkeeper things were looking worse, but on the upside it was a beautiful day and we had 4 subs.

The game started with little change to the team. Ben (a new signing) started at right back and Glendon went to the wing to allow Ian back up front with manuel. Apart from that it was all as usual.

We started strongly and looked like we would hold them firmly but the movement and pace of the french forwards was causing a few scary moments. Our forwards were however seeing alot of the ball, and for a few better passes, or through balls and we might have had a sniff at the other end.

The crunch came from a long range speculative strike from 30 yards out that beat stand in keeper hugo, and hit the postage stamp. Beautiful goal for the French and nothing anyone could have done about it, a deserved 1-0. This however galvanised us, and midfield started pulling a few strings with Tim galloping aroung the centre circle and against instructions, Kristian was up in the penalty area more often than not. The blight of our season though has been poor finishing and it was coming back to haunt us. 2-3 chances went begging that i'm sure the opposition would have put away, and we were left cursing our luck. As the sun beat down, the french got a free kick in a dangerous area, and a beautiful curled shot was headed in by one of their forwards. poor defending but a great goal nonetheless, 2-0 down. Half time came and we weren't that disheartened, more of the same was the order, just lets convert the opportunities.

To get some fresh legs on in the heat, Kristian went back into central defence for Rich, allowing Walther to move into midfield, Fritz came on for the exhausted Ben at right back, and Juan replaced Reuben at left back. None of the changes were needed but everyone was busing to get on, so it was only fair.

The fresh legs told soon after, Ian was moving with some freedom around the opposing half now and juggled the ball at a sprint through the defence to score a great goal, and it was all Collins from that moment on. Thats not to say the french didn't threaten. They hit the bar and a post from long range but we had 70% of the possession, and probably 15 chances to score.

Unfortunately even the introduction of Caj "super boots" Wirman and Zugi couldn't swing victory, and a last minute goal by the french against the run of play showed the reality of the season. Good game though, and on to the friendly on saturday at 6pm at St Marti