Our biggest game of the season so far , played in appalling conditions , resulted in a four goal defeat for the boys that was probably heavier than all of their effort deserved. We started with a perhaps too cautious 4-4-2 formation , only later switching to our more familiar 3-5-2 , with Arran returning to the starting line-up .James W's good form earned him a starting spot up front alongside Dan.

 

The game started with some good tackling and challenging in midfield , and we were able to threaten quite a bit in the first 15 minutes . Most of our good work came down the right and through the middle , where Dan Abbott was particularly prominent . The slippery and windy conditions made it very difficult but we attacked well without quite having the pace the get on the end of the chances . At the other end Callum and Matt B were doing very well and chances were at a premium.

 

When Henbury managed to get shots away Dan Ellis did very well to both save and then hold onto the slippery ball - throughout the game his handling was exceptional . After around 15 minutes we lost James Page to an injury , and brought on Andy Webb .Our first real chance came from a break through the inside right channel and lead to Matt Newbery having a shot pushed onto the post and behind for a corner.

 

Shortly after however, Henburys first goal came when we failed to defend a throw-in and the resultant cross, expertly pulled back from the goal line, was clipped into the corner . Dan Ellis made a great attempt to save but the finish was right into the corner. We responded well and continued to press, but we unfortunately conceded the second just before halftime when a missed clearance fell to a Henbury forward who buried it into the corner .

 

At halftime we all thought that we were still in the game and made some changes to personnel , some enforced , but the pattern of the game continued in the second half . We were now playing uphill but still we kept tackling and trying to pass the ball . We slipped a further goal behind quite early in the second half but heads didn't drop . Andy Webb was getting through a prodigious amount of work and we switched to 3-5-2 to try and get more bodies up to support Dan and Liam , re-introducing Matt Newbery and James Page .We really started to play more of the game in Henburys half as the game wore on , so it was cruel that a superb lofted finish into the top corner by the Henbury forward was our only reward .

 

The game finished with a 4-0 defeat , but I was pleased with the way we tackled and defended and some of the individual performances were excellent . Dan Ellis handled the slippery ball really well , Andy Webb worked tirelessly and covered his defence brilliantly and Dan Abbott again showed what a good footballer he will be .We have an oppiortunity to avenge this result next week when we play Henbury at home .

 

Match Performances

 

Dan Ellis – exceptional handling in difficult conditions . Best performance yet .

 

Callum Hawkins – did well again in difficult conditions . Defended well and distributed excellently

 

Matt Baker – Great display of tackling and determination . Another who did very well in difficult conditions .

 

Joe Alemzadeh – challenged well and got forward when he could . Switched to midfield in the second half .

 

Arran Moran – had a difficult opponent but stuck to his task . Injured and came off at half time.

 

Scott Crane – did well when he came on . Adds some great communication to the defence

 

Andy Webb – all action display of tackling and running . Covered in front of the back four really well

 

Matt Newbery – tackled and defended well , offered good protection to the back four .Unlucky to hit the post .

 

James Page – Another who came off injured , teams passing improved on his return

 

Joe Thwaites – made a few good runs , up against a tough defender

 

Sean Fahey – made some good intelligent runs , tired towards the end

 

Dan Abbott- yet again a real handful , used his size to his advantage . Unlucky not to score .

 

James Winward – worked hard without reward . Made some good runs but couldn’t quite influence things like he usually does .

 

Liam Vincent – worked hard , put pressure on their back four , game was too stretched to use Liams close skills and short passing but never gave up .

 

Sam Vankuylenberg - tackled well and worked hard . Got forward well .